A newly released film has given the public its first detailed look at how Edinburgh's National Centre for Music will appear when it opens its doors in 2027. The ambitious conservation project will transform the city's historic former Royal High School building into a comprehensive cultural hub dedicated to music performance, creation, and education.
The digital architecture film, narrated by broadcaster Edith Bowman, a well-known presenter and passionate advocate for Scotland's music scene, offers viewers an immersive preview of the building's transformation. The project is being delivered by the Royal High School Preservation Trust, which aims to preserve the architectural heritage while creating a modern music venue.
Created by Greig Penny Architecture, the film takes audiences on a detailed fly-through journey of the former Royal High School as it undergoes its remarkable transformation into the National Centre for Music. The digital presentation showcases the comprehensive scope of the renovation project through sophisticated animations and detailed visualizations.
The film highlights the wide range of spaces planned for the building, featuring everything from the unique interior design and heritage preservation of the main hall to smaller, more intimate performance rooms. The visualization also showcases the beautifully landscaped gardens that will complement the building's historic architecture, including the new west garden area.
Greig Penny of Greig Penny Architecture expressed his honor in working on the project, stating, 'The Royal High School is one of Edinburgh's most architecturally significant buildings, so it was an honor to bring the new plans to life in such a detailed way.' His firm's work demonstrates how modern technology can help visualize complex architectural renovations before they are completed.
Jenny Jamison, chief executive and creative director of the National Centre for Music, explained the motivation behind creating the film. 'We wanted to give our current stakeholders, local communities, future audiences and potential partners from across Scotland's music sector a true sense of the exciting plans for the National Centre for Music,' she said. Jamison praised the architectural visualization, adding, 'Greig has done a brilliant job of showcasing not only the new facilities but also how Thomas Hamilton's original architecture will be sensitively preserved.'
The project represents a careful balance between preservation and modernization, ensuring that the historic Royal High School building's architectural significance is maintained while adapting it for contemporary use as a music center. The transformation will create spaces suitable for various types of musical activities, from large performances to intimate gatherings and educational programs.
Construction work to transform the former Royal High School into the National Centre for Music has already begun and is scheduled for completion in 2027. The project represents a significant investment in Scotland's cultural infrastructure and is expected to become a major destination for music lovers and cultural enthusiasts from across the region and beyond.
