Ambitious £4.2 plans revealed for Pier Arts Centre

Architect's model of the proposed new extension to the Pier Arts Centre showing the black zinc and glass building which will link into the B listed Pier Gallery (front) and to the buildings on Victoria Street.

Plans have been unveiled for an ambitious project to refurbish and extend the Pier Arts Centre in Stromness.

The aim of the £4.2 million initiative is to ensure that the Pier continues to develop and flourish as an arts centre of international importance for Orkney, Scotland and the UK as a whole.

Award winning architects Reiach and Hall have produced scale models and plans of the stunning new building which lies at the heart of the project. These go on show at the Pier as part of an exhibition called 20th/21st Century, which opens on Saturday, January 19.

The event will also provide a unique opportunity for people to view all 101 works in the Pier’s internationally important permanent collection. The paintings and sculpture form one of the most significant collections of the Modern Movement in British 20th century art to be found anywhere in the UK.

Providing the works with the highest level of care in a carefully controlled environment is one of the key aims of the project.Preserving the charm and character of the two historic buildings that currently house the Pier Arts Centre is also seen as crucial.

The aim, too, is to construct an extension, which will link these buildings into a single complex that is fully accessible to people of all levels of mobility. The extra space generated by the new building will allow the Pier to create a new, permanent display of the best of Orkney art, from Stanley Cursiter to the present day. It will also permit the centre to make the most of its huge potential as a venue for education, entertainment and cultural enrichment.

“The new building will confirm and secure the Pier’s standing as a world class gallery,” said centre director Neil Firth.

“Designed as a 21st century statement of architectural excellence, its form responds to the surrounding architecture – the stone houses and boat sheds that give Stromness its unique appeal.

“It will be strikingly modern, yet will complement the historic charm of one of Scotland’s most attractive towns.

“We think it will be a stunning new addition to the Stromness shoreline and that it will provide Orkney with a facility and building at the forefront of developments in art and architecture.”

Architect's model showing the sea gables of the existing and proposed extension to the Pier Arts Centre. The new building will enable full access to all parts of the complex and provide much needed space for additional exhibition, storage and retail facilities, as well as housing the machinery necessary to provide a regulated museums environment.

The project stems from an extensive feasibility study, funded by the Scottish Arts Council, Orkney Enterprise and the Pier Arts Centre.

This led to a design and development study, funded by the same agencies with further support from Orkney Islands Council.

Following an appointments process organised through the Royal Incorporation of Architects in Scotland, Edinburgh-based Reiach and Hall were then selected as project architects, beating off strong competition from the six other leading practices on the shortlist.

“The fact that the competition was so stiff demonstrates clearly that this is a very special project,” said Reiach and Hall design director Neil Gillespie.

“The Pier project will be of huge significance internationally, as well as to Orkney and the rest of Scotland.

“Opportunities to work on developments such as this are rare and we feel privileged to have been selected as project architects.”

Mr Gillespie said the project would “result in the Pier joining the likes of the New Art Gallery, Walsall, and the Tate Modern – projects which have served as catalysts for the cultural, economic and social development of their respective areas”.

“The redevleopment of the Pier Arts Centre offers the same potential,” he added. “This unique opportunity must be embraced.”

Bids are to be made to the Scottish Arts Council Lottery Fund and the Heritage Lottery Fund for £3.2 million towards the cost of the project.

Support will also be sought from the OIC, Orkney Enterprise and from the European Regional Development Fund.

The Pier itself aims to generate £500,000 and has engaged the services of an experienced fund raising team to help the centre meet this ambitious target.

“This is a very exciting time for the centre,” said Bob Shaw, chairman of the Pier’s Board of Trustees. “A significant redevelopment like this is needed to produce a cultural venue and tourist destination that will continue to keep Orkney firmly on the UK and international map of leading galleries and museums.

“The Pier project is a significant undertaking within these islands. Although the scale of the task for the trustees and staff of the Pier Arts Centre has been enormous, because we are a small organisation, we are proposing to deliver for Orkney something that will have a very considerable impact both within and outwith the county.”

The paintings and sculpture in the Pier Collection are normally shown on rotation to help in their conservation, but will be displayed together for the first time during the 20th/21st Century exhibition.

“Arrangements are being made for the collection to go on tour to the Tate St Ives and to the Scottish National Gallery of Modern Art in Edinburgh, during the redevelopment work,” added Mr Shaw.

“These are both prestigious venues and they reflect the importance of the collection and the role which the Pier can play as an ambassador for Orkney.”