Perth Museum has received three major accolades from the Dundee Institute of Architects (DIA), including the Supreme Award, the evening’s highest honour. The project was also recognised with the Best Regeneration Award and the Best Use of Timber Award.
These awards celebrate the project’s exceptional transformation of Perth’s former City Hall into a vibrant cultural destination that honours history while embracing modernity. Mecanoo’s design breathes new life into the Edwardian landmark, originally inaugurated in 1914, through a thoughtful balance of preservation and innovation.
Central to the concept is the introduction of a Vennel—a symbolic passageway that cuts through the heart of the building, linking the Main Hall and the Lesser Hall. Framed by imposing bronze doors crafted in the Black Isle, this new axis connects the museum with the city and pays tribute to Scotland’s rich craftsmanship. The former Lesser Hall has been reimagined as a dynamic communal space with a café and event area, inviting light, activity, and views of St John’s Kirk into what was once an enclosed structure.
At the heart of the museum lies the Main Hall: a grand setting for Scotland’s historical treasures, including the revered Stone of Destiny. Inspired by this iconic artefact, Mecanoo designed a bespoke oak box to display the stone, surrounded by a delicately detailed balcony narrating Scotland’s national history.
Since its opening, Perth Museum has resonated with both visitors and critics for its sensitive integration of heritage and contemporary design. The project continues to inspire and engage, reaffirming architecture’s role in connecting people, culture, and place.