Arts event at ruined modernist church kickstarts Scotland's Festival of Architecture

Visitors can walk through the ruined buildings of St Peter’s Seminary in Cardross while accompanied by monochromatic light installations

The Royal Incorporation of Architects in Scotland (RIAS) will today officially launch its 2016 Festival of Architecture with Hinterland, a night-time public art event held in one of Scotland's most iconic modernist buildings.

Leading public arts organisation NVA has designed the arts experience, which will see visitors walk through the ruined buildings of St Peter’s Seminary in Cardross while accompanied by monochromatic light installations and specially commissioned choral music by composer Rory Boyle.

The event, which will run to 27 March, is one of hundreds set to take part this year in celebration of Scotland’s architecture. According to RIAS, it is the “most ambitious ever nationwide celebration of the built environment of a single country.”

As one of the cornerstones of Scotland’s Year of Innovation, Architecture and Design, the festival will showcase public and leisure buildings and celebrate the lives of the country’s greatest architects.

Other events will include a World Cities Expo in Edinburgh from June to July showcasing innovative pop-up attractions; a Lego tower building exhibition at National Museums Scotland; an exhibition into the design of cities from science fiction films such as The Matrix and Blade Runner; and a touring Ideal Hut Show, where standard model garden sheds will be transformed and customised by leading architects and designers.

“This year will showcase Scotland’s position as an ‘innovation nation’, its outstanding built heritage, and its thriving, internationally acclaimed fashion, textiles and design sector,” said RIAS in a statement.