Union Terrace Gardens in Aberdeen named Scotland s best new building

Union terrace gardens: a concise orientation before we get practical.

Union terrace gardens: Quick notes

The Royal Incorporation of Architects in Scotland has named a public park, renewed by studios Stallan-Brand and LDA Design, as the winner of the Andrew Doolan Best Building in Scotland award for 2025.

Named Union Terrace Gardens, the project was praised by the Royal Incorporation of Architects in Scotland (RIAS) for transforming the neglected Victorian garden in Aberdeen into a “safe, people-centred and accessible public realm” for the city.

Stallan-Brand and LDA Design reinvigorated the park by introducing three pavilions, a cafe, a restaurant and a wine bar.

Union Terrace Gardens has been named Scotland’s best new building

“Union Terrace Gardens draws people in without intimidation: an open invitation that promotes a sense of community through a genuine public offering,” said jury chair Mary Duggan.

“Beyond its architectural and horticultural precision, the project is a demonstration of civic governance, endurance and responsibility,” Duggan added.

The Andrew Doolan Best Building in Scotland Award is an annual prize named after Scottish architect Andrew Doolan, who passed away in 2004. It recognises buildings of all typologies, with the 2025 shortlist praised by RIAS as one of the award’s most diverse yet.

The project was praised for its “people-centred and accessible” design

Other additions to Union Terrace Gardens created by the studios include a flexible event space, play areas and a raised walkway interspersed with hard and soft landscaping.

Meanwhile, existing features, including historic statues, railings and Victorian toilets, were restored.

Stallan-Brand and LDA Design revitalise Victorian garden in Aberdeen

Union Terrace Gardens was chosen as this year’s winner from a four-strong shortlist.

The other three projects vying for the prize were the historic Fairburn Tower by Simpson & Brown, the Gairnshiel Jubilee Bridge by Moxon Architects and The Nucleus Building by Sheppard Robson.

Three pavilions were added to the park

The shortlisted projects were showcased in a series of videos produced by Jim Stephenson and published by Dezeen with RIAS last month.

In the film about Union Terrace Gardens, Stallan-Brand senior architect Rowan Morrice said the project was a success as it focused on celebrating and improving the park’s existing elements.

“What really tied the scheme together is that the landscape scheme had the place for the architecture, civil engineering [and] heritage that took all of the elements of the gardens that were successful and made them better,” Morrice said.

Previous winners of the Andrew Doolan Best Building in Scotland award include the Burrell Collection museum in Glasgow, which won in 2024, and a remote house by Ann Nisbet Studio, which won in 2023.

The photography is by Andrew Lee.