Mareel in the running for more architectural awards

Cinema and music venue Mareel is in the running to be named the best building in Scotland.

Shetland Arts is delighted to have received the news that Mareel is being considered for the Andrew Doolan Best Building in Scotland Award, and has been moved from the “long list” for RIBA’s top award, the Stirling Prize, to the “mid list”.

The £13.5 million venue, which is now nearing its first anniversary after a much-delayed opening, recently won both RIAS (Royal Incorporation of Architects in Scotland) and RIBA (Royal Institute of British Architects) awards for architectural excellence.

Shetland Arts director Gwilym Gibbons said he wanted to thank everyone who contributed to the building, including architect firms Gareth Hoskins and the Shetland-based PJP, contractors DITT, Shetland Islands Council, the European Regional Development Fund, Creative Scotland, HIE and the Gannochy Trust.

“I believe that Mareel is a very special building: a tribute to the design is the speed and the way in which people have made Mareel their new creative home,” Mr Gibbons said..

“Mareel has one of the best attended cinemas in the UK, a busy recording studio linked to the main auditorium with a sought after acoustic quality that has led artists to choose Shetland over other studios in the UK. The venue also houses the delivery of further and higher education courses and a broad range of live music performed on the Mareel stage regularly live streamed to the world.”

The SIC recently purchased a 99-year long lease of the building for £1.1 million, and leased it back to Shetland Arts. The arts agency remains in legal dispute with DITT over who is to blame for the project’s delays and cost overruns.