Dunfermline Carnegie Library and Galleries Named Scotland’s Best building

Dunfermline Carnegie Library and Galleries, delivered by hub East Central Scotland for Fife Council, has been named the Best Building in Scotland for 2017. Richard Murphy Architects accepted the Andrew Doolan prize from the Royal Incorporation of Architects after the building was chosen from a shortlist of 12 projects. Built by BAM Construction, the new £12.4 million facility brings an impressive new focal point to the Heritage Quarter and wider town centre. The museum adjoins the world’s first Carnegie library and includes a striking new glass structure. It incorporates three exhibition galleries, café, local history space and kid’s library over two floors. It is the third award for the project, which earlier this year won Building of the Year and the Large Project category awards from the Edinburgh Architectural Society. Gary Bushnell, Chief Executive, hub East Central Scotland, said: “We are extremely proud to have delivered such a vibrant facility in the heart of the community. It supports the regeneration of Dunfermline and is bringing new visitors to the town.” Work started in December 2014 and Fife Council committed £8.25 million to the project, along with £2.8 million from the Heritage Lottery Fund and £1 million from the Carnegie Dunfermline Trust.