The Falkirk Wheel is the world’s first and only rotating boatlift and was created to link two canals between the east and west of Scotland. The wheel was designed to carry two boats up and two boats down the 35-metre drop in level between two canals in just 15 minutes. Completed ahead of schedule in 2002 and opened by Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II, RMJM’s design for the wheel has become a Scottish icon, representing a functional sculpture which symbolises and celebrates the renaissance of the two canals. The Falkirk Wheel and adjacent RMJM-designed, timber-clad visitor centre attract on average half a million visitors every year and recently featured on the Scottish fifty pound note.
Awards:
1991: Scottish Enterprise/RIAS Regeneration Design Award Commendation
2002: Glasgow Institute of Architects Award‘The People’s Choice’
2002: Structural Steel Award
2003: Civic Trust Award
2003: Dynamic Place Award Supreme Award
2003: EAA Presidents Award
2003: Scottish Design Award Best Original Work
