Leading architects appointed for new Falkirk Town Hall
Falkirk’s new town hall has reached a key milestone this month with the appointment of final architects for the £70m development.
Following a competitive process involving a number of Scotland’s top architectural practices, Glasgow-based Stallan Brand has been chosen to design the new Town Hall.
Stallan Brand is already well known for its innovative architecture on iconic and culturally significant projects such as Falkirk Wheel, the 2014 Commonwealth Games Village, Barclay’s new European Campus in Glasgow, and the Union Terrace Gardens in Aberdeen.
The award-winning practice has extensive experience with theatres and cultural venues including the Tron Theatre and SWG3 Cultural Venue in Glasgow.
Their first role will be to finalise the design and layout based on the extensive feedback received to date through public consultation. These will then form the basis for engagement as part of the pre-planning application and business case development processes going forward.
Elsewhere the project is progressing well with the former Callendar Square Centre and Antonine Hotel site now completely cleared and levelled, with new hoardings in place around the boundary.
When complete, the building will include a 550–600 seat main auditorium, a studio theatre, Falkirk Central Library, an advice and support hub, café and bar, workshop and dance spaces, and flexible areas for civic and community use.
Once the design is finalised a public consultation will take place on the venue’s name, and a recommendation will go to Councillors for a final decision.
Councillor Cecil Meiklejohn, Leader of Falkirk Council said:
Stallan Brand are an award-winning firm widely recognised for delivering iconic designs for functionally flexible buildings.
“Fundamental to their final proposal will be incorporating the feedback from the large-scale consultation carried out last year with thousands of individuals and groups who gave their views on how this project should represent the community’s aspirations.
“It is an exciting step forward in the project and one that shows ongoing commitment to deliver a quality venue that is built for the future.
Paul Stallan, Design Director at Stallan-Brand said:
As one of Scotland’s a leading architectural practices Stallan-Brand are genuinely motivated to address poverty, inequality and wellness through inspired architecture and places that serve to connect people.
“The aim of the New Falkirk Town Hall project is to unite the community by creating inclusive new public spaces and activities to create a more joyful town centre. We therefore commit to championing a human centred design that responds to the genuine needs of people and the local regeneration initiative.
“We are very excited to lead on the design, recognising that considerable trust has been placed in our practice.
The new town hall project is part of the Falkirk and Grangemouth Growth Deal, with £6m in funding from the UK and Scottish Governments alongside further investment from Falkirk Council.
The new venue is due to open in 2028/29, subject to planning, procurement and construction processes.