The Crichton Project

Tender description

Through the enterprising custodianship of The Crichton, The Crichton Trust aim to establish a world-renowned home and destination for innovation; a place for people to cohabit and share ideas – all inspired by The Crichton’s extraordinary history, places and spaces. The project will replace the former hospital laundry, which commands a prominent and strategic position within The Crichton, with a high quality sustainable new building as a centre for reflection, research and wellbeing with a specialism of international significance in art and wellbeing. Lot 1: Through the enterprising custodianship of The Crichton, The Crichton Trust aim to establish a world-renowned home and destination for innovation; a place for people to cohabit and share ideas – all inspired by The Crichton’s extraordinary history, places and spaces. The project will replace the former hospital laundry, which commands a prominent and strategic position within The Crichton, with a high quality sustainable new building as a centre for reflection, research and wellbeing with a specialism of international significance in art and wellbeing. The building will seek to include: - The Crichton Archive, which has potential to achieve UNESCO Memory of the World Status for The Crichton Royal - The Crichton Heritage Centre, which would enhance our understanding and, where appropriate, celebrate the 180 year heritage and innovation in the provision of mental health care. It would recognise the international importance of The Crichton Royal’s contribution to the development of mental health services and the innovative use of open space and the arts in healthcare and wellbeing - An accessible intergenerational academic Library and Learning Resource Centre - A regional Art and Land Archives and Research Centre - A Visual Arts Gallery and Exhibition Space to house the NHS Dumfries and Galloway and Dumfries and Galloway Council ‘Crichton Collections’ comprising 150 years of patient’s artwork, as well as other visiting exhibitions. RIAS Consultancy have been commissioned by The Crichton Trust to deliver a competition that offers an opportunity for a wide range of practices of different sizes and experience levels to create teams and submit bids in partnership together, helping to avoid common blocks to larger tenders for small businesses such as insurance limits. The second stage of the process builds on this collaborative spirit with the shortlisted teams working with the client and stakeholders to build the strategic brief for the site before they develop their own design proposals. Each team will exhibit their work for a digital exhibition and judging process. Stage 1 Launch Mid July 2022 Stage 1 Deadline Mid August 2022 Stage 2 Shortlist Early September 2022 Stage 2 Deadline Early October Award/Appointment date End of November 2022