A New Beginning

A glowing postmodern shed of dark metal and glass that’s both stunningly beautiful – as light spills through it during the day, and glows from it at night – and completely in harmony with the jostling, jumbled line of the old Stromness Waterfront
                        Joyce McMillan, The Scotsman June 2007

The Pier Arts Centre re-emerged in July 2007 following a two year period of construction.  The original listed buildings and pier, that once housed the office and stores of the Hudson’s Bay Company, have been sympathetically extended by Reiach & Hall Architects who have created a stunning new building at the harbours’ edge.

With the completion of the re-development full access to the centre’s facilities has been achieved and the environmental plant and equipment is in place to provide the appropriate conditions to care for the Centre’s valuable collection into the future.

Space for displaying art has more than doubled, an income-generating gallery shop has been established and new office accommodation has allowed a much needed increase in staff numbers.

The historic charm of the original Pier Arts Centre conversion has been maintained and exciting new spaces for art and creative activity formed to allow the centre to fully develop its potential.

The collection is already regarded as one of the finest in the UK.  Key works are regularly loaned to prominent exhibitions around the world, maintaining the collection’s importance as a recognised repository of work of the period. 

The outstanding quality of Reiach & Hall's scheme has been recognised through the award of the Royal Incorporation of Architects Scotland’s Andrew Doolan Award for the Best building in Scotland 2007.