A team of Japanese architects have moved to Scotland to develop Dundee’s branch of the V&A.
The £45 million museum is being designed by Kengo Kuma’s Tokyo-based firm, and project leader Maurizio Mucciola revealed he and his team are in Scotland to see their vision unfold.
”A lot of the work is done in Edinburgh, as all the engineers and consultants are based there,” he said: ”But we come to Dundee every week for meetings and discussions with the clients and other people.”
Mr Mucciola first visited Dundee with Mr Kuma two years ago to see the site before they came up with their design. He and his team have set up base in Scotland rather than face the 5,772-mile trip from Tokyo.
”We have to work closely every day, so being close to the project is much more efficient for everyone,” he said. ”It’s really nice to stay here too the winter has not been too cold, and we can travel around the country when we have some time off, so we’re enjoying it.”
Mr Mucciola said the complicated design and planning process is going smoothly so far.
”It’s going fine. We are currently finalising the current stage of the design, which should be finished and approved by the end of March,” he said.
”After that, we should be able to show people in a lot more detail what we have been doing and what it will be like. It’s a lot of work, as it’s a very complex project.”
Kengo Kuma’s design for Dundee’s V&A was chosen from a shortlist of six plans submitted by leading architects from around the world, winning unanimous approval from the judging panel.
When completed in 2015, the museum will form the centrepiece of a £1 billion redevelopment of Dundee’s waterfront, which it is hoped will transform the face and fortunes of the city.