Edinburgh Contemporary Architecture Centre Part 1 Project 2003 Gregor Wight Robert Gordon University | UK The Edinburgh Contemporary Architecture Centre is designed as a literal expression of the schism that exists between the architectural profession and the public. The building is divided into two contrasting elements: a dark slate-clad “inhabited wall” contains the private, semi-private and circulation spaces; the public exhibition spaces are contained within a series of cantilevered volumes clad in translucent glass. Where the two sides of the building meet, volumes burst forth from the inhabited slate wall, invading the public exhibition spaces. This summarises the buildings main objective – to open up the architectural profession and make it more accessible by the public. Architecture as seen by the general public on one side, and architecture as professionals want to show it on the other side. This is what summarises Gregor Wight’s approach for the Edinburgh Contemporary Architecture Centre. This opposition of perception is well implemented through the various materials used. The slat as an old and dark material is used to represent the old point of view about architecture that the public might have inherited. The glass as a new and light material is used to show what architecture in its new reality is.A very successful interpenetration of the two volumes represented by the “dark” and “bright” sides, represent the forgiveness of a misunderstanding carried out for generations. At the intersection of the two volumes, are installed offices for recently graduated architects who have moved from the old point of view to the new one. So this seems to be the right place to symbolise the change of mindset.The glazed volume with a cantilever, ahead of the dark volume, symbolises the victory of the right point of view.