Scottish Showpiece

Helmed by Japanese virtuoso Kengo Kuma, V&A Dundee aspires to reconnect the city with the River Tay and its maritime history.

- Amem Mehta

In a bid to revitalise a city with a historic port dating back to 1191, Kengo Kuma was selected to undertake a project that would be based on the very site that was once the lifeline of Dundee, the now demolished Earl Grey Port. “The uniqueness of this project for us lies in its location between the water and the city – it is very different from a normal site as it sits in between land and water. At the start, a colleague showed me a picture of the cliffs of north-eastern Scotland – it’s as if the earth and water had a long conversation and finally created this stunning shape,” said the architect.

An architect renowned for his ability to merge the structures he creates with the surrounding environment, whilst making use of traditional materials and natural light, Kuma delivered yet another masterpiece.