Overview:

is a modern building located in the Holyrood area of Edinburgh. It was opened on October 1, 2004, and is the home of the Scottish Parliament. The design of the building, by Spanish architect Enric Miralles, has been described as a mix of the traditional and the modern. With its curved walls of glass, steel and stone, the Parliament Building is a striking addition to the Edinburgh skyline. The building also incorporates a glass-domed debating chamber, a library and other offices for the management and administration of Scotland’s devolved government. You can learn history, culture, and heritage through these magnificent monuments in United-Kingdom
Prominent Features:

1. The building is located on the boundary between the Old Town and the New Town of central Edinburgh, Scotland. 2. The building was designed by the Spanish architect Enric Miralles, in collaboration with the Scottish Architecture firm RMJM. 3. It is considered one of the most environmentally-friendly buildings in the world with a range of sustainable energy features such as photovoltaic panels, ground source heat pumps, and biomass boilers. 4. The parliament building is made up of two distinctive structures known as The Shell and The Cloud. 5. The Shell is an egg-like structure made of pink-tinged sandstone, while The Cloud is a glass and steel structure which rises above the Shell like a collection of clouds. 6. The building also features a large bronze sculpture from sculptor Jill Watson which serves as an entranceway. 7. The building is open for visitors who can explore the debating chamber, committee rooms, educational facilities, and artworks throughout. This national monument of United-Kingdom portrays the history and culture of the country.

History:

The Scottish Parliament Building, located in Edinburgh, Scotland, is the home of the Scottish Parliament. Designed by architect Enric Miralles, the building was opened in 2004. Constructed at the foot of the Salisbury Crags, the building uses a distinct contemporary style of architecture utilizing colors of sandstone, granite, and slate. The project to build a new Scottish Parliament building began in October 1997 when the Scottish Parliament voted in favor of devolution and the establishment of a new body to govern Scotland within the United Kingdom. A design competition was held, and Miralles was selected as the lead architect for the building. The project was initially estimated to cost £40 million, but due to design delays, cost overruns and escalating building costs, the final cost amounted to over £414 million. This was a controversial figure that sparked public outcry in Scotland as public funds were used for the building. Numerous challenges had to be faced during the construction of the building. For example, during construction, a spring was discovered on the site. This was addressed by diverting the water flow away from the building. The building includes several features, such as the Garden Lobby, formed by a wall of slate, concourses, and the Debating Chamber. The Hemicycle, which provides seating for 129 Members of the Scottish Parliament (MSPs), dominates the layout of the building. The Scottish Parliament Building has become one of the most iconic symbols of the city of Edinburgh. It is a popular tourist attraction and has won numerous awards since its opening, including the 2005 Stirling Prize for Architecture. It is also the first building in the United Kingdom to receive a BREEAM ‘Excellent’ rating for environmental and sustainable design. You must visit one of these historical places in United-Kingdom on your United-Kingdom tour

Interesting facts:

: 1. The Scottish Parliament Building in Edinburgh was officially opened on the 1st of July, 2004. 2. The building was designed by a Spanish architect, Enric Miralles, who sadly died before the building was completed. 3. The building cost a total of £414 million to construct and features some of the largest pieces of steel-work in Europe. 4. The massive granite steps leading up to the building are said to represent Scotland’s journey to self-rule and its democratic system. 5. The building was awarded the European Prize for Architecture in 2005. 6. The building features two debating chambers named 'Galloway' and 'Lothian' in reference to the two historic regions of Scotland. 7. The Scottish Parliament Building is located on the site of an ancient loch, which is now filled with a reflecting pool. 8. The roof of the building is covered with over 1.5 million kilograms of grass and sedum, making it a green roof. 9. The interior of the building features the works of more than 600 craftspeople from Scotland and around the world. 10. To limit the disruption caused by construction, the building was constructed in two phases and over 33,000 workers worked on the site over a seven-year period. Visit one of the famous monuments of United-Kingdom with your friends and family.