Doors Open Day in Dundee
20 and 21 September 2008
Programme items 12-22

THE UNIVERSITY OF DUNDEE: D'ARCY THOMPSON ZOOLOGY MUSEUM
Carnelley Building, Park Place
Originally founded in the 1880s, the University's Zoology Museum has now moved to a new home in the historic Carnelley Building (dating from 1883), with many more specimens on show. Zoology curator Cathy Caudwell will be giving tours around the museum, explaining its fascinating history and showing mammals, birds, fish and reptiles from around the world.

DUNDEE REP THEATRE
Tay Square
(Nicoll Russell Studios, 1982) An exceptional building including 455 seat auditorium, 3 rehearsal studios, workshops, a restaurant and bar; recent extensive refurbishment works by the original architects. A world class performing arts organisation, Dundee Rep Theatre comprises the Rep Ensemble of actors, Rep Creative Learning and Scottish Dance Theatre.

Open Saturday 10.00am-5.00pm; pre-booked guided tours available at 10.30am, 12.30noon and 3.30pm; meet the actors/dancers/directors sessions at 12.00noon and 1.30pm; lighting/sound workshops at 1.30 and 2.30pm. Telephone the Rep on +44 (0)1382 223530 to book. Restaurant and bar.

DUNDEE CONTEMPORARY ARTS
152 Nethergate
(Richard Murphy Architects, 1999) This spectacular building rises out of the shell of an old brick warehouse and provides two galleries, cinema, print studio, Visual Research Centre, offices, activity rooms, Jute café-bar and shop. Programme of exhibitions, printmaking classes, community and education workshops and free talks.

DCA is presenting a special print theme to mark the quincentenary of Scotland's first printed book. Visitors will have the opportunity to have a guided tour of the artists' print facilities in the building, together with the chance to meet with some of the artists who have worked on a major print edition that has been produced in the building to mark the anniversary. This edition - based on the very first recorded printed article in Scotland - is a version of the poem ‘The Complaint of the Black Knight'. You will also be able to learn about the many different processes and techniques used by artists and to see at first hand the resources and equipment used to create a wide variety of printed artworks . Visitors will also be able to visit the Centre for Artists Books in the Visual Research Centre - a University research archive kept in the building.

Gallery open Saturday 10. 30am -5.30pm and Sunday 12.00-5.00pm. Four tours are available across the two days, on Saturday at 11.00am and 1.30pm and on Sunday at 1.30pm and 3.00pm . Tours will take about 50mins; limited places available; telephone the DCA on +44 (0)1382 909900 to book. Parking available near building.

THE ROMAN CATHOLIC CATHEDRAL OF ST ANDREW
150 Nethergate (next to DCA)
(George Mathewson, 1835) Impressive arcaded interior and outstanding 19th and 20th century stained glass.

QUADRANT HOUSE AND COMPASS HOUSE
9 and 11 Riverside Drive (next to Discovery Point)
(Holmes Partnership, 2002 and 2006) Two linked office buildings on the riverfront with prominent metal clad entrance drum and lift tower. Compass House provides headquarters accommodation for the Care Commission and the Scottish Social Services Council and its new neighbour for the Office of the Scottish Charity Regulator. Includes full accessibility compliance, unique art works and stunning views over the Tay. Websites: Care Commission, SSSC, OSCR.

Open Saturday 1.00-4.00pm. Exhibition, guided tour, parking at building.

TAYSIDE FIRE & RESCUE HQ
Blackness Road
(Opened in 1970) See how a fire station works: a full range of fire fighting vehicles will be on display. As this is an operational station, access would be restricted in the event of a call out. See Tayside Fire & Rescue's website for further information.

Open Saturday and Sunday 10.00am-4.00pm. Parking at building.

Open Saturday and Sunday 10.00am-4.00pm. Tours run hourly from 10.30am (last starts at 3.30pm). Behind the scenes guided tours are free; normal admission charges apply to the main Verdant Works museum. Refreshments, exhibition, leaflet and parking at building.

DUNDEE CENTRAL MOSQUE
6 Miln Street / Brown (opposite Tay Mills)
(Lucas Dow Design Studios, 1996-2000) First purpose built Mosque in Dundee, rich in Islamic symbolism and using traditional Scottish materials and energy efficient construction techniques. The Mosque includes two prayer halls which are built facing Makkah, three Wuzu (ablution) areas and above the Minbar (pulpit) is a copper dome, both symbolic and for light.

Open Saturday and Sunday 11.00am-4.00pm. Short presentations at 12.00noon and 3.00pm. Refreshments, exhibition, guided tours, leaflets, prayer demonstration and parking at building. See the Islamic community's website for further information.

DUDHOPE CASTLE
Dudhope Park, Barrack Road
(From 1580) Originally larger and the seat of the Scrimgeours, Hereditary Constables of Dundee, then of Graham of Claverhouse or ‘Bonnie Dundee', the castle became a woollen mill, barracks, storehouse and was restored in the 1980s. It is now used by the University of Abertay for teaching, seminars and conferences. Most of the interiors are very plain but of particular interest are the stone stair, the entrance hall and (outside) a large stone box which is the relocated Overgate wellhead of 1743. Also outside are the parterre garden and former time gun emplacement.

Open Saturday 10.00am-4.00pm.

DUNDEE SYNAGOGUE
9 St. Mary Place
(Ian Imlach, 1978) Good modern architecture providing a place of worship for the Dundee Hebrew congregation. The original synagogue was demolished during the construction of the Wellgate Shopping Centre and the brief was to design a building of similar area. Most important was the orientation. It was decided to provide an introverted space with roof lighting and to illuminate the wall containing the Ark with direct evening sunlight. The building, though quite small, is much more sophisticated in its layout and lighting arrangements than its plain unadorned exterior and simple interior furnishings suggest.

MILLS OBSERVATORY
Balgay Park
(James MacLellan Brown, 1935) On Balgay Hill with amazing panoramic views over the Tay to Fife. The only full-time public observatory in Britain. Demonstrations of observing the sun safely. Binoculars available for scenic views. Observing subject to prevailing weather conditions. See the Observatory's website for further information.

Doors Open Day 2008
Introduction