The revamped Union Terrace Gardens has been nominated for a prestigious Scottish architectural award.
The city centre park in Aberdeen is among four contenders vying for the Andrew Doolan Best Building in Scotland Award, which is coordinated by the Royal Incorporation of Architects in Scotland (RIAS). The park has already been named one of Scotland’s top architectural achievements in the 2025 RIAS Awards.
Executed by Stallan Brand from Glasgow in partnership with London’s LDA Design, the redesign was carried out to transform Union Terrace Gardens into an inviting public space. The initiative has introduced three pavilion-style structures that accommodate a café, a restaurant, and a wine bar, while carefully restoring historic features such as statues, railings, arcade arches and underground Victorian toilets.
The redesign has also improved the green areas, enhancing accessibility and usability for visitors throughout the year.
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Since its inception in 2002, the Andrew Doolan Award has recognised exceptional architectural achievements in Scotland, paying tribute to the late designer.
This year’s panel commended projects that illustrate how architecture can integrate seamlessly with other disciplines in the built environment, such as landscape and urban design.
In addition to Union Terrace Gardens, the shortlist also features the Gairnshiel Jubilee Bridge in Aberdeenshire, a 16th-century tower in the Highlands, and a new educational facility at the University of Edinburgh.
