This grade A listed building, sits at the top of Edinburgh’s Royal Mile,  its gothic spire towering over the surrounding buildings including the adjacent castle. The building was designed in collaboration by Edinburgh architect James Gillespie Graham, and the famous gothic revivalist Augustus Welby Pugin and constructed between 1842 and 1845.

Originally named Victoria Hall, it was built as the Assembly Hall and offices for the Church of Scotland.  In 1956, the building was named the Highland Tolbooth St John’s Church following the union of the Church of Scotland and the United Free Church.  The Edinburgh International Festival acquired the building in 1995 and it underwent a huge transformation before opening to the public in July1999.

The incorporation of contemporary art and craft was seen as essential to ensuring that the new functions of the building work in harmony with the old. The Hub has been brought back to life through a magnificent range of contemporary work.

Strong colour and the integration of artworks were key influences for the lighting design of the Hub.  The lighting scheme remained respectful of the historic building fabric assisting the architectural intentions by defining the border between contemporary and original elements.  A substantial level of flexibility was incorporated into the design of the lighting scheme by KSLD through the choice of fittings and of a comprehensive lighting control system.