How can a building that goes £450 million over budget win the stirling prize? Anyone can win anything if they have unlimited resources. How typical of Architects to see the building cost as an unimportant criteria rather than essential even to be considered for the shortlist.
Its no great surprise the Scottish parliament won there seems to have been a large and well backed PR campaign (which we are probably paying for) to change hearts and minds since all the bad press to get us to forget how much of a financial and organisational disaster it is. Even on the Stirling show the cost was given at only 400 million (I heard it was well over 550 million and still rising) and great value for money for such a fantastic building. If that doesn't raise suspicions I not sure what will.
Judging only by the TV pictures the Scottish Parlament building is an eyesore and an embarasment, whereas the same TV program actually made me want to see the McLaren and BMW buildings - and they had the added merit of being built for a commerical customer who would have decided that the money was worth it for a building that would add value to their business. Giving the prize to the Scottish Parliament building was a way of congratulating the architects for ripping off the Scottish (and UK) tax payer. As for the members of the MSPs, words fail me, as they failed in their duty to their elctorate.
Considering the whole of Scotland only has 5 million people - that makes it about half the population of London. Does it really need a parliament at all? If it does, then London should have two!
I believe that America has twice the number of Scots that Scotland has. Bizarre eh?
Originally posted by Josh Gwyrdd: Judging only by the TV pictures the Scottish Parlament building is an eyesore and an embarasment
Actually once visited you can see that it's pretty amazing. Made me feel very patriotic, and yes Lee, we do need a parliament. London is a city, not a country, so does not need it's own parliament. It's not rocket science.
Originally posted by Josh Gwyrdd: Judging only by the TV pictures the Scottish Parlament building is an eyesore and an embarasment
Actually once visited you can see that it's pretty amazing. Made me feel very patriotic, and yes Lee, we do need a parliament. London is a city, not a country, so does not need it's own parliament. It's not rocket science.
I think we can decide what's best for you from London.
Yeah I know. My dad was Scot but like nearly all Scots - left when he was 20 and never went back. He lived in England from after the war until 1970 when he emigrated to Oz and died there in 81.
Scotland should be given it's own independence. If it was - it would shut down in week without our subsidising it.
We don't need it now that North Sea Oil has all but gone.
Originally posted by donjc: I won't rise to the bait then ...
Oh go on Donjc!!! I'll gie ye hauners!!
I went to London for the day in June to go to the Grand Designs Exhibition and to meet up with some lovely, lovely friends (that was the best bit of the day) but the second best bit was getting back on the plane home to Scotland!! (and for the record, Lee, I'm English!)
I've never been to Scotland yet. The reason for that is - I daren't. I hate crowds. I live in Britain's worst city (in my opinion). If I went - I'd never settle again. I'd never want to leave.
Aw bless you Lee, why don't you move then? IMO I live in Britains's best city, Edinburgh. All the good bits about living in a city, but really small and near sea and hills. Lovely.
Originally posted by donjc: Aw bless you Lee, why don't you move then? IMO I live in Britains's best city, Edinburgh. All the good bits about living in a city, but really small and near sea and hills. Lovely.
I've got to go there one day, just up the road from you. My Dad came from Gordon Brown country - Kirkaldy.
You're being provocative again!!
Worrying isn't it! 
