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Scotland: Building for the Future

Scotland: Building for the Future

: Building for the Future

Scotland: Building for the Future In post-war Scotland there was a belief among key decision-makers that the world could be made better by design. New homes, schools and churches – even entire new towns – could be planned, designed and built for the benefit of all. in architecture and design were closely linked with this widespread faith in reconstruction. Architects and architecture were at of this national effort, as they had been for at least 250 years. Scotland had specialised in new towns and a ‘rational’ approach to development and improvement, and there is a strong echo of the work of Robert Adam and New Town in the ‘age of improvement’ of the post-war period. Scotland: Building for the Future Essays on the architecture of the post-war era

ISBN 978-1-84917-014-7 HISTORIC SCOTLAND FRONT COVER B, , perspective sketch of second development area, Johnson-Marshall and Partners, 1958. © RMJM

BACK COVER The , Edinburgh, Malcolm Fraser, 1999. © Malcolm Cooper H1.575 The House 3/09 Produced from sustainable material Scotland: Building for the Future

Scotland: Building for the Future Essays on the architecture of the post-war era

Historic Scotland iv | SCOTLAND: BUILDING FOR THE FUTURE

Acknowledgments The text for this book was prepared by Malcolm Cooper, Ranald MacInnes, Deborah Mays, Dawn McDowell and Miles Oglethorpe with research assistance from Rohan Banyard, David Fleetwood, Pauline Megson, Laurence Parkerson, Dara Parsons, Joan Richardson, and Norma Smith. Illustrations were researched by Rohan Banyard and David Fleetwood, with the assistance of Michelle Andersson. Further assistance for illustrations found in Chapter 4, Industry and Infrastructure was provided by Derek Smart (RCAHMS). Original photography was taken by Mike Brooks, David Henrie, and (on behalf of The House) Sam Sills. Copy and style editing was by Abigail Grater. We gratefully acknowledge comments received from our peer reviewers.

Illustrations Illustrations unless otherwise stated are supplied by Historic Scotland (www.historicscotlandimages.gov.uk) and are covered by © Crown Copyright.

Glossary A glossary of building and architectural terms is included in Scotland’s Listed Buildings: What Listing Means to Owners and Occupiers (2009). SCOTLAND: BUILDING FOR THE FUTURE | v

Contents

Preface vii

Introduction 1

1.0 Civic and Commercial 9

2.0 Housing and Health 19

3.0 Education 33

4.0 Industry and Infrastructure 45

5.0 Places of Worship 61

6.0 Leisure 71

7.0 Architects 83

8.0 Protecting our Modern Heritage 97

End Note 104

Bibliography 106

Historic Scotland 108

SCOTLAND: BUILDING FOR THE FUTURE | vii

Scotland: Building for the Future By its nature this publication Preface is a short introduction to the post-war is a high level overview, identifying architecture of Scotland. It seeks to only some of the excellent buildings outline the principles which underlay the thrown up in these years, illustrating thinking of the time and to capture the exemplars of their type rather than flavour of the period. The decades after attempting to provide a detailed study. 1945 were heralded by Reiach and It does not attempt to touch upon the Hurd’s Building Scotland from 1941 architecture of defence which will be and just as they were looking forward, the subject of a separate monograph. this book follows the first celebration, The purpose of this book is Peter Willis’s New Architecture in to continue the debate about the Scotland 1977, in looking back. protection of Scotland’s significant There is currently debate about post-war buildings. We believe they which buildings from these years are an important part of our heritage. should be protected. As the decades The popularity of recent exhibitions roll into the new millennium fresh on Gillespie Kidd and Coia and Basil research and a greater perspective Spence and publications on the period can inform our appreciation. This book indicate, together with the number of helps to broaden awareness. There online hits taken from the Dictionary are currently less than two hundred of Scottish Architects for the period buildings erected after the Second 1940–80, that there is a growing World War which have been listed for interest, and we hope this contribution their special architectural or historic is therefore timely. interest. Some fine examples across the country have already been demolished and many more are under threat of unthinking change. There is demand Malcolm Cooper for a responsible assessment and Chief Inspector protection of the most significant. Historic Scotland viii | SCOTLAND: BUILDING FOR THE FUTURE Introduction

In post-war Scotland there was a the post-war period. Nineteenth- belief among key decision-makers century reconstruction in Scotland that the world could be made had often been carried out on an better by design. New homes, industrial scale. In the 1860s, schools and churches – even the brand new carriageway of entire new towns – could be Cockburn Street in Edinburgh planned, designed and built for burst through the historic city the benefit of all. Modernism in to link Waverley Station and the architecture and design were High Street with an enormous closely linked with this widespread mixed development of flats, faith in reconstruction. Architects shops, hotels and commercial and architecture were at the enterprises. Later, in , the centre of this national effort, as City Improvement Trust replaced they had been for at least 250 most of the medieval centre years. Scotland had specialised with residential and commercial in new towns and a ‘rational’ development based on nothing approach to development and less that the contemporary model improvement, and there is a of Haussmann’s . A hundred strong echo of the work of Robert years later, architects were Adam and Edinburgh New Town again at the centre of post-war in the ‘age of improvement’ of reconstruction. 2 | SCOTLAND: BUILDING FOR THE FUTURE

Introduction

n the 1960s and 1970s, employed by the public sector, and this comprehensive development was figure rose to 68% by the mid-1970s. Inot new, but the massive scale, The chapter also demonstrates the the pace of change and the ambition wealth of architectural talent that was were. This book looks particularly at available to Scotland – and the world. architecture in this period, mostly Many of our architects, including Robert connected in some way with the Matthew and , ‘exported’ bigger picture of reconstruction, but their home-grown skills internationally sometimes conceived as a standalone with great success. Other architects ‘artistic’ project. At the heart of all the were more focused on specific areas effort of reconstruction was teamwork. of work in Scotland; and some of Nowadays, we tend to see architects these – such as Isi Metzstein and Andy as talented individuals, in charge of the MacMillan, the principals of Gillespie whole creative process of designing Kidd and Coia in the later years – have and building; but the post-war period achieved international recognition. was a time when specialists of all sorts The pattern of patronage had – including engineers, town planners, changed. While there were a number economists, architects and even of important institutional and private sociologists – would work together commissions in the post-war period, PREVIOUS PAGE towards a shared vision. Clients also the patronage of the state and the at 202 Miln’s Close, Overgate, shared that vision and their enlightened local authorities was central to , seen in 1920 prior to demolition. © National Museums of Scotland. Licensor www. approach often helped to create the the shaping of Scotland’s modern scran.ac.uk architectural legacy which is all around heritage. By and large, in the modern us today. period, the public authorities wanted General view of , 1962. © Publications Ltd. Licensor www. In general, as our ‘Architects’ ‘Modern’ architecture, and that meant scran.ac.uk chapter shows, the move at this time that the pre-war vision of European was towards a ‘corporatist’ approach architects such as and Edinburgh, George Square, David Hume to architecture, away from an older Mies van der Rohe. This vision chimed Tower, recently erected with podium under construction, 1963. © The University of pattern of private practice. By the easily with the Scottish-American Edinburgh. Licensor www.scran.ac.uk late 1960s half of the profession was monumental modernism of the 1938 INTRODUCTION | 3

Empire Exhibition in Glasgow. The to the vision of a new and prosperous Perspective drawing scope of this patronage in civic and Scotland. The ‘white heat’ of industry by Alexander Duncan Bell of a pedestrian commercial architecture produced was at first to be generated mostly by underpass. Taken some astonishing results, from the . The government invested hugely from ‘Report on a United Nations-inspired Lanark County in that industry, with some confident Highway Plan for Buildings (1959–64) to Skinner architectural expressions emerging Glasgow’, 1965. © Glasgow City Lubetkin and Bailey’s headquarters from the new sinkings at Rothes, Council/Scott Wilson for the Scottish Ambulance Service in Killoch, Bilston Glen and Monktonhall. Kirkpatrick Glasgow (1966–70). Power stations also provided prominent Post-war industry and icons for the new Scotland. The new infrastructure was, of course, central hydroelectric dams, pipelines and 4 | SCOTLAND: BUILDING FOR THE FUTURE

generating stations also became and Timex (1947), both at Dundee. worship shows, is a rich legacy, from modern monuments of wonder for Paradoxically these two designs the conservative and traditional Robin the public. However, the best-known seemed to take us considerably Chapel (1949) to the uncompromisingly scheme was the most remote and forward architecturally from buildings modern St Gabriel’s R C Church, unvisited. This was Nuclear like the fundamentally neoclassical (1965). Establishment, whose golf-ball profile Wills Tobacco Factory in Glasgow School buildings were also given could be identified by any post-war Scot. (completed 1953). The big industrial the highest priority during the post- In terms of transport infrastructure, plants introduced to the Highlands by war period. Hundreds were built, many daring bridges were conceived the Highlands and Islands Development occasionally to experimental designs, and built during this period of great Board – a paper mill at Corpach and at a time when the connection between optimism about the possibilities of an aluminium smelter at Invergordon modes of learning and architecture was engineering. The Tay Road Bridge – were impressive, purely functionalist considered to be crucial. Most schools (1966) and the Friarton Bridge at complexes similar to oil rigs which sat were designed to maximise light, air Perth (1978) are two well-known shockingly unmediated in their and permeability. Universities were less examples, but the settings. Later factories aimed at inclined to experiment, and development (1964) was very much a ‘national’ architectural sophistication included in older settings such as Glasgow, project which seemed to reinvigorate the wonderful Cummins Diesel Engine Edinburgh and tended to and redefine Scottish engineering on factory at Shotts (1975–83). maximise the available space by building an international stage. Glasgow’s Clyde The escape from the materialism tall, as at Edinburgh University’s George Tunnel (1967) was a similarly daring of industry and commerce to spirituality Square (begun 1955) or Glasgow scheme of great regional significance. provided some of the most innovative University Library (begun 1961). Where One other interesting area of national and inspiring architecture of the period. space was available – at the new infrastructure concerns contingencies Seventeen of the post-war churches University of (begun 1967), for in the event of nuclear attack. We will of the highly influential firm Gillespie example – the entire campus was laid be looking at defence in the Cold War Kidd and Coia are now listed, and many out on Modernist principles and system- period separately in a future publication. of their contemporaries’ work is also built for ease of construction, simplicity Among the factories and industrial protected. Churches were traditionally and economy. The most celebrated and plant of the post-war period, the most a building type which demanded the programme-driven educational building strikingly ‘modern’ in the earlier period most exacting design sensibilities. The of the age was St Peter’s College at were National Cash Registers (1946) result, as our chapter on places of Cardross (begun 1959), a seminary INTRODUCTION | 5

Construction of the inner ring road at Charing Cross, Glasgow, c. 1970. © Newsquest (Herald and Times). Licensor www.scran.ac.uk 6 | SCOTLAND: BUILDING FOR THE FUTURE

for the Archdiocese of Glasgow was briefly re-named): Basil Spence’s in the rationalist, hard-edged beauty of which extended an existing country Queen Elizabeth Square (1961–6), a the Commonwealth Swimming Pool, house within the setting of a designed Le Corbusier-inspired scheme of tall Edinburgh (1967). The later, more landscape. flats with ‘garden-in-the-sky’ balconies. relaxed world of ‘leisure’ in the 1970s In housing, the idea of laying out In presenting the scheme to Glasgow and 1980s saw the development of whole areas of Modernist construction Corporation, Spence declared that a fun-based, ‘flume’ experience the was given huge impetus after the when all the residents’ washing was earliest example of which was built at Second World War. The ‘planner- out to dry the building would be like Coatbridge by Peter Womersley at architects’ working for the public after a ‘galleon in full sail’! The tendency to the Monklands Leisure Centre (from the War included important figures drama, height and compactness was 1977). Cultural provision also has many such as Robert Matthew, Alan Reiach also seen in the architecture of health highlights, from the Burrell Collection and, briefly, Andy MacMillan. These provision. Bellshill Maternity Hospital (1978–83) to the Eden Court Theatre, designers and others mixed their (1959-62) was rational in inspiration (1973–6) and the Museum Modernist inspiration with a desire and form. Health was seen as an area of Scotland (1996). to respond to the Scottish situation, ripe for experimentation and hospitals These are just a few of the which was a growing tendency in were described excitingly as having, for highlights, which we look at in more architectural culture. Cumbernauld example, a ‘racetrack’ plan, as at the detail in the following chapters. Our final was conceived as an ultra-modern Western Infirmary, Glasgow (1965) chapter asks the question: ‘If these are ‘megastructural’ new town centre but it and and District Royal Infirmary important cultural assets, should they was surrounded by housing designed to (1966). be protected, and, if so, how will that be reflect the traditional Scottish patterns All social provision in post-war achieved?’ of the terrace and the . In Scotland was seen as a serious RIGHT private practice similar tendencies business and the same earnest Glasgow Corporation housing in were applied, whether in schemes endeavour was at first applied to the Gorbals, like Wheeler and Sproson’s Langlee recreation, sport and culture. The Hutchesontown B, estate in or Morris and municipal notion of public swimming Glasgow, Robert Steedman’s one-off villas in the east of baths was brought spectacularly up-to- Matthew, Johnson- Marshall and the country. The greatest architectural date at the highly expressionist Dollan Partners, 1958. impact on housing was made in the Aqua Centre in (1963–5), © Getty Images. Gorbals (or ‘Hutchesontown’ as it which has an interesting counterpoint Licensor www.scran.ac.uk INTRODUCTION | 7

Civic and Commercial

These days when heritage of those to make the move. Virtually the and ‘place’ are so highly valued, whole environment was a new creation it is hard to imagine just how of mainly low-level housing interspersed significant Cumbernauld was as with schools and churches. The family a world landmark of community house at Kildrum (1957) was designed planning. The idea of a highly by Gillespie Kidd and Coia, as was the democratic community set secondary school Tom attended (Our among hills and a newly-planted Lady’s High, 1963-4) and the church ‘Scandinavian’ forest, all clustered (Sacred Heart, 1964). ‘The essence around a modern ‘citadel’ of Cumbernauld is the rich mix of containing every necessity of town its topography and landscape,’ says life from shopping to a library Tom. ‘This integrated approach was and a dance hall, was incredibly imbedded in the varying residential exciting. This was a new way neighbourhoods. In the wider and of living that attracted a huge more civic context with terrace range of people, mostly from housing grouped around and forming Glasgow, but also many architects, landscaped public gardens with the engineers and others from further more intimate and private being afield who were keen to be part of explored in the typologies of courtyard this social experiment. housing.’ As a designer, he now sees where the influences of the new town The family of the architect Tom Connolly lay and the influences its planning had (Elder and Cannon, Architects) was one on his own understanding of place. 10 | SCOTLAND: BUILDING FOR THE FUTURE

1.0 Civic and Commercial

During the 1960s, the ‘public realm’ was hugely extended and its distinction from the private blurred to the point of extinction. The main focus and driver for this democratisation of buildings and the space they occupy was the local authorities, who were responsible – through large-scale housing and transport initiatives – for the reshaping of most of Scotland’s cities and towns. All of this was against a backdrop of national reconstruction aimed at delivering a new society.

econstruction needed planning appeared at this time, promising a above all else. In 1962 cheap, inexhaustible supply of power Rthe Scottish Development [1.1]. In the era before the fuel crisis of Department was set up to spearhead 1973, the road-building drive was also the big infrastructural changes. The a key part of planned modernisation. idea was for the state to create wealth The showpiece was the elegant Forth by commissioning large-scale projects. Road Bridge (1958–64), which became A series of grandiose plans was highly symbolic of the new optimism. prepared, including the National Plan Roads and renewal were consistently for Scotland of 1966. A new optimism linked in the big cities and larger towns. about the potential of the Highlands The most ambitious was the Glasgow led in 1965 to the establishment of a Inner Ring commissioned by Glasgow development agency with significant Corporation: a full-scale motorway powers to invest – the Highlands and planned on a line of least resistance Islands Development Board. Out of through designated slum clearance PREVIOUS PAGE Children seen in this initiative came extensive industrial areas. Cumbernauld, 1962. projects such as the aluminium There were national initiatives but The Scotsman smelter at Invergordon (although it it was the local authorities, empowered Publications Ltd. Licensor www.scran. was ultimately doomed by 1981). The by central government, who did the vast ac.uk iconic profile of the Dounreay reactor majority of the work. In this context, CIVIC AND COMMERCIAL | 11

where the ‘planning authority’ sat at Architect’s office under the direction 1.1 Dounreay Atomic Power Station, Caithness, the heart of communities, buildings of D G Bannerman. The other example Richard S Brocklesby (chief architect to UK Atomic Energy Authority), 1955–9. © The Scotsman designed to house the local authorities is the uncompleted Renfrew County Publications Ltd. Licensor www.scran.ac.uk were naturally thought of as symbols Buildings at Paisley (1969–73), won of the bright modern future. Two in competition by Hutchison Locke architecturally contrasting examples and Monk [1.3]. The Lanark County had a very similar brief. Lanark County building is a 17-storey slab block set Buildings was designed in 1959 for a in a wide piazza containing a circular, very progressive, modernising authority detached council chamber. In its wider with their headquarters at Hamilton flat and featureless landscape setting, [1.2]. The design came out of the Chief the building is visible over many miles 12 | SCOTLAND: BUILDING FOR THE FUTURE

as a grand gesture of civic power, a tenements, the building attempted squares, gardens, shopping centres, modern democratic version of the to give a new dignity to the historic pedestrian underpasses, and around quasi-royal Hamilton Palace which had precinct. Both buildings created wide the major civic schemes and housing dominated the area. The whole new set new areas of ‘public realm’, but the developments both public and private. piece seems to refer to an international Paisley offices sit quietly and respectfully Where Scotland’s 18th- and 19th- type popularised by the architect Le of their historic setting while the Lanark century new towns were designed to Corbusier and seen, for example, at County building broadcasts its powerful maintain privacy and to segregate one the United Nations headquarters in Modernist message. class of town-dweller from another, the New York where open space resonates Most post-war architecture was post-war city was conceived as open, with power. The Renfrewshire County ‘civic’ in one way or another, in that democratic and available to all. The building, by contrast, while housing it tended to connect with the wider new Modern type of segregation was most of the authority’s services along public; indeed there was a general according to use rather than social with a police station, crouches relatively tendency to blur the distinction between class. 19th-century ‘mixed use’ was the low and spreading in its sensitive the internal and the external. This norm in cities, but its drawbacks were historic location adjacent to the Abbey. was the era of the democratising of felt mostly by working-class citizens Replacing a district of run-down public space, which flowed through who lived cheek by jowl with factories, CIVIC AND COMMERCIAL | 13

tanneries, stables and other unpleasant kept the simplicity of line and exterior ABOVE LEFT 1.2 Lanark County Buildings, D G Bannerman neighbours. Thereafter, industry was to colouring that will not clash with the (Chief Architects Office), 1959-64. © William be separated from housing. In this new old cottages in Polnoon Street’. On the Young. Licensor www.scran.ac.uk context, the separation of the public and whole, however, there was a strong the private now began to seem artificial acceptance that modern society needed ABOVE MIDDLE 1.3 Renfrew County Buildings, Hutchison Locke and unnecessary. Modernism and not antiquarianism. and Monk, 1969-73. © Royal Fine Art Commission The idea of the positive elements The new town of Cumbernauld was for Scotland. Licensor www.scran.ac.uk of the past was still strong and there the ultimate ‘civic centre’. Whereas were ongoing attempts to ‘save’ it or to East Kilbride New Town (begun 1947) ABOVE RIGHT 1.4 Provost Skene’s House (1545) set within respect it, often within a civic setting, had, to some extent, embraced an wider civic plaza redeveloped in 1962 with as at the new municipal plaza centred existing village, Cumbernauld Town St Nicholas House in the background. © Robert on the 16th-century Provost Skene’s Centre (1963–7) was entirely by Gordon University. Licensor www.scran.ac.uk House in Aberdeen, but also even in itself on a hilltop far removed from the suburban locations [1.4]. A newspaper traditional settlement. While the town’s report on new housing in Eaglesham, housing reflected old Scottish planned- for example, noted that the design ‘had town precedents, the Town Centre 14 | SCOTLAND: BUILDING FOR THE FUTURE

seemed utterly Modern – futuristic, even. Cumbernauld’s Town Centre was a ‘megastructure’, designed to combine every single function of town life, and was even penetrated by a full- scale highway. The Centre’s designer, Geoffrey Copcutt, conceived the building as a ‘nine-level package accommodating most of the commercial, civic, cultural and recreational uses for a population of 70,000 … a single citadel-like

structure nearly half a mile long … a 1.5 Scottish Widows, Sir Basil Spence Glower and Ferguson, 1972-4. Crown Copyright: RCAHMS drive-in town centre’. The tendency to design complex, layered buildings, often or edge-of-town corporate set pieces Within the cities, one of the boldest with drive-through elements, was very that were developed in the 1970s and and most successful Modernist much a theme of later Modernism 1980s. The Scottish Widows building buildings was, paradoxically perhaps, but it found its fullest expression at (1972–4) at Dalkeith Road, Edinburgh designed for a highly sensitive location Cumbernauld. Architecture students is a case in point [1.5]. Here the in Edinburgh. Rowand Anderson from all over the world are still drawn architects, Sir Basil Spence Glover and Kininmonth and Paul’s headquarters to it, much to the amazement of its Ferguson, created a landscape within for the Scottish Provident Society operators. the dramatic wider landscape setting of (1961–9) offered a frankly visible Commercial architecture in the Salisbury Crags. The building itself is a structure and transparent exterior to post-war period meshed closely with the series of interlocking hexagonal prisms the existing historic context of stone civic. The new civic presence was to a varying in height from one to four monumentality. large extent simply a continuation of the storeys and giving the impression of a Later, growing attempts to pay due old idea of prestigious centrally located cut gem-like structure, in contrast with respect to historic context also used headquarters, but some of the new the free geological form of the crags glass, but now in the form of curtain authorities, such as East Renfrewshire behind. The ‘newness’ and Modernity of walling. Once a symbol of absolute Council, placed themselves in a the complex was played off against the Modernity, modern glazed buildings landscape setting similar to the out- geology of the rocks. came to be seen as a ‘polite’ response CIVIC AND COMMERCIAL | 15

to historical context, reflecting – literally – the older buildings around them. It was a short step to designing ‘sympathetic’ buildings which ‘picked up’ adjacent architectural features and a shorter one still to replication. In the late 1970s the old gradually came to be valued more highly than the new. Increasingly, there were attempts to distance new buildings from mainstream Modernism and intimations 1.6 White House Visitor Centre, Stirling, Edwin Johnston and Nicholas Groves-Raines, 1971. of a new concern with historic context. Crown Copyright: RCAHMS Some architects used strong colours and chunky shapes adopted by 1970s shop designers. Examples include Edwin Johnston and Nicholas Groves-Raines’s 1971 White House Visitor Centre, Stirling [1.6]. Some late-Modernist schemes sought to reduce apparent bulk, as in the stepped sections of Michael Laird and Partners’ Royal Bank Computer Centre, Edinburgh (1978) or James Parr’s General Accident headquarters at Pitheavlis, near Perth (1982–3) [1.7]. In Aberdeen, the Town House Extension (1975), by City Architect Tom Watson) attempted to remain ‘in keeping’ by using granite. An alternative approach which emerged 1.7 General Accident Headquarters Building, Perth, James Parr, 1982-3. in the 1950s and 1960s involved © Charles McKean. Licensor www.scran.ac.uk 16 | SCOTLAND: BUILDING FOR THE FUTURE

revisiting vernacular architecture, such as in Wheeler and Sproson’s housing at Dysart (1958–71), a historic in . A key change of direction occurred in 1976 when the seventh New Town, Stonehouse, was abruptly cancelled and its resources were directed into ‘GEAR’ (Glasgow Eastern Area Renewal). The city, above all else, was now seen as the appropriate arena for action: not ‘clearance’ but ‘regeneration’ driven by a certain nostalgia for a pre-1914 sense of community. At first, new development was low-rise and suburban, but soon the tenement made its dramatic reappearance. This building type – which seemed to sum up a pre-clearance, pre-modern golden age – was previously the bugbear of housing reformers. Soon, the Modernist development itself replaced the tenement as the bogeyman of building: ‘inhuman’ in scale and imposed from above. The worsening image of the private car also enabled urban motorways to be condemned out of hand – even as car ownership increased as predicted. Now in the city, there were to be 1.8 The Italian Centre, Glasgow, Page and Park, 1992 (extension 1993-4). Crown Copyright: RCAHMS CIVIC AND COMMERCIAL | 17

small-scale interventions, following push the area upmarket by introducing architecture. Were the prescriptions patterns established by existing groups of higher-income dwellings, and of the Moderns so thoroughly wrong? old buildings. There was a renewed by 1990, 1,143 houses had been built These questions were raised, often by reverence for the picturesque mixed- or converted in the area. The most surviving Modernists, in the second half use neighbourhood, strongly advanced, complex achievement was Ingram of the 1980s. John Richards (of the for example, in the rhetoric of the Square (1984–9), a street-block of architectural practice RMJM) praised Edinburgh Old Town Committee for ‘artistic’ regeneration, comprising ten the ‘vigour’ of 1950s Modernism, and Conservation and Renewal from 1984, separate sites designed by Elder and Isi Metzstein attacked the ‘polyfilla and which emphasised wealth creation Cannon. The climax of the Merchant plywood language of Postmodernism’. and contained an implicit questioning City programme in the 1980s was Underlying these criticisms was a of old-style planning. Within this rather the Italian Centre by architects Page growing nostalgia for immediately backward-looking context, much civic and Park (completed 1992; extension post-war community-based planning, as and commercial architecture referred 1993–4), a street-block of old against the individualism of the 1980s. to past styles. There was a new concern warehouses converted into a mixed But was there to be a Postmodern with ‘place’ so that new buildings courtyard development ‘where external stylistic revival of Modernism? Certainly, began to reflect and even to replicate restraint is set against a visually exciting ‘heritage’ had been expanded to include existing architecture. Modernism was and vibrant courtyard’ [1.8]. The the Modern Movement: in 1993 the now widely regarded as a destroyer high point of the heritage movement Lanark County Buildings tower block of community – a forward-looking, was reached at Cathedral Square in was listed by Historic Scotland; and technology-driven juggernaut that Glasgow, where the new emphasis was in new buildings there would soon be would be stopped in its tracks by a new on making and mending, and relating a much more daring expression of insistence on the ordinary and the past. new buildings to old in an ‘organic’ the interface between the old and the In terms of buildings, the first manner. At the heart of the complex new. Elder and Cannon’s St Aloysius initiative was the regeneration of was St Mungo’s Cathedral, whose Junior School (1998) and Page and Glasgow’s , a run-down setting was reorganised by Page and Park’s ‘battery pack’ extension for The mixture of warehouses, offices and Park in a scheme of 1984–94. Lighthouse (1999), both in Glasgow, public buildings. From 1980 onwards, ‘Postmodernism’ had a short life were celebrated contemporary investment poured into the area, led in Scotland. It became a superficial interventions which seemed finally to by the Scottish Development Agency’s style of labels and signs, and the call deal with the lingering issue of pastiche City Centre Project. The idea was to soon went out for deeper meaning in in historic settings. 18 | SCOTLAND: BUILDING FOR THE FUTURE Housing and Health

Anniesland Court at the ensuring the proper maintenance of top of Crow Road is a distinctive their building, they feel a distinct sense Glasgow landmark, and makes a of pride in the tower, reckoning it to be clear statement – almost like an the best one of all the Glasgow blocks. exclamation mark – at a major Many residents still gather weekly at road junction. Historic Scotland the coffee mornings in the ground-floor has identified through listing community hall. the architectural and historic Built by Jack Holmes and Partners significance of the tower’s in 1967–8, Court is design, which stands as a unique contemporary with Ernö Goldfinger’s monument to its type in Scotland, Balfron Tower and a symbol of the development of the in . It similarly offers a city’s outskirts in the 1960s. separation of lift and stair towers from the residential areas, removing Catherine Gavin and Thomas Lindsay, unnecessary noise; and, as at Trellick, both council tenants, have resided in provides social and commercial Anniesland Court since the early 1970s functions in adjoining ground-floor and early 1980s respectively and, accommodation in a manner inspired by even after all these years, still admire Le Corbusier’s Unité d’Habitation. The the breathtaking views over Glasgow Holmes Partnership also designed the and the West of Scotland. They have monumental Clydeway Industrial Estate, come to appreciate the ‘ups and downs’ a massive flatted industrial complex at of high-rise living, and although they . have faced a number of challenges in 20 | SCOTLAND: BUILDING FOR THE FUTURE

2.0 Housing and Health

Housing the Nation

A shortage of half a million homes in 1944, followed by a sudden surge in the birth rate, led to an unparalleled housing boom which dominated the planning agenda for the next two decades. Today, more than 50% of dwellings in Scotland date to the post-war period. Together with provision for health under the newly formed National Health Service, social housing stood at the core of welfare state planning throughout the 1940s, 1950s and 1960s.

cres of economy-built estates The development of post-war and towering slabs, designed housing is inextricably linked to political Amostly by architects within local concerns. Churchill’s new government authority offices, sprung up in response of 1951, which ushered in a period to the new demand. However, the speed of economic prosperity that lasted, of their creation, and their apparent under Tory rule, until the mid-1960s, disregard for tradition – caused in enabled a ‘bonfire of controls’ that part by the lack of available materials bolstered supplies previously diverted in the immediate aftermath of the to the war effort. Timber and aluminium Second World War and the consequent would be the most useful in terms of need for structural innovation – prefabricated systems in the immediate resulted in many cases in accelerated post-war period. Brick would ultimately deterioration, so that confidence in the typify ubiquitous post-war construction. new ventures diminished as early as However, steel – an increasingly the 1960s. The ensuing backlashes expensive commodity – together with have widely tarnished the reputation of concrete, glass and asbestos would post-war housing schemes; but a closer be seen to characterise the larger and inspection of the variety within the more ambitious modern schemes and building type can reveal more positive commissions. aspects. The provision of housing after HOUSING AND HEALTH | 21

2.1 The Inch Estate, Edinburgh, Stratton, Davis and Yates, 1951. Courtesy of RCAHMS

1945 remained the major political Housing Advisory Committee, identified ultimately advocating population challenge it had been before 1939, deplorable overcrowding in Scotland, dispersal. Alongside the proscriptive but with the 1947 Town and Country and, while recognising the inevitable government reports, publications such Planning (Scotland) Act local authorities shortage in skills and supplies, set out as Alan Reiach and Robert Hurd’s were required to consider new well-considered recommendations Building Scotland, also of 1944, under housing proposals in the context and provided model plans to illustrate the auspices of the then Secretary of development plans, and had the the essentials. The Barlow Report of State for Scotland, Tom Johnston, right to close involvement in their (1940) had similarly set out new policy contributed to contemporary rhetoric creation. Planning Our New Homes to balance the relationship between on the subject of the Scottish housing (1944), the report of the Scottish landscape, population and employment, problem, recommending a modern 22 | SCOTLAND: BUILDING FOR THE FUTURE

Scottish vernacular injected with Scandinavian brightness and colour. Edinburgh’s suburban Inch Housing Scheme (1951), won in competition by Stratton Davis and Yates, illustrates the city council’s adherence to some of these Utopian principles. The houses here are given gentle ornament with Regency-style porches and balconies, and are laid out on garden suburb principles – low level, with plentiful green space and functional buildings as focal points [2.1]. Few schemes looked to regenerate town centres in their provision of housing, but there are some exceptions. 2.2 Great Michael Rise, Edinburgh, Sir Basil Spence and Partners, 1956-59. Courtesy of RCAHMS (Sir Basil In Stirling, for example, in Broad, Bow, Spence Archive) Baker and Bank streets, Sir and the burgh architect evoked style in its use of indisputable windows – would provide a challenge in 17th-century domestic design for this modernity. Wheeler and Sproson’s design terms to achieving the delicate historic burgh’s post-war requirement. work in Dysart in Fife (1958–71) balance between old and new. Spence (1959) and Ian Lindsay and made reference to traditional forms The work of the Scottish Special Partners (c. 1970) tackled continuity when interweaving diminutive tower (Areas) (SSHA) in Edinburgh’s Newhaven with more blocks with the fishermen’s terraces, led the way in technical innovation transitional modernity [2.2]. ’s although as realised the buildings are and research while supplementing town centre redevelopment by Rowand thought by many local residents to be the efforts of local authorities where Anderson Kininmonth and Paul (1960), rather unattractive. For those seeking required, as in the housing at Sighthill, set cheek by jowl with the historic to achieve a modern vernacular, the Edinburgh (1950). The SSHA reportedly market cross and Linlithgow Palace, demands of new building regulations took further the experimental similarly broke from the vernacular – for example, the need for larger prefabrication techniques which HOUSING AND HEALTH | 23

and again the following year by Basil Spence’s firm in Dunbar, . In the west of Scotland, a keener welcome was given to the philosophies of the ‘Brave New World’ and a greater acceptance of novel design solutions, met with larger numbers in need of re-housing, made an increasingly radical impact on the built environment. Driven by powerful personalities such as Glasgow Corporation’s 1960s housing convener, David Gibson, the plan for regeneration was determined to keep the population within the city bounds, in contrast to earlier efforts concerned 2.3 Langlee Housing Estate, Beech Avenue and Larch Grove, Galashiels, Wheeler and Sproson, 1965-7. with peripheral low-density, low-rise developments and the mass building of the modern version of the traditional had been developed for the military Wheeler and Sproson, reference was tenement. Gibson’s drive to house the before 1945, and were responsible often made to the small fishing towns people of Glasgow saw the city move for housing workers employed in the on the east coast (steeply pitched roofs, towards high-rise tower-block living, newly developed industries. The Langlee pantiles, wynds and pends) which were convinced of the over-riding advantages estate, Galashiels, by Wheeler and married with new materials and timber of this form of dwelling. Sproson, is a good example of their boarding to provide local character; and Most high-rise buildings later contribution from the mid-1970s. other work included the conversion of synonymous with 1960s design were in It evolved from the Percy Johnson- farm buildings which also gave focus to fact by contractors and only occasionally Marshall masterplan and, landscaped a community. Fishermen’s housing was by architects. High-rise was an by David Skinner, is still expanding a theme also taken up by the practice unequivocal panacea for overcrowding today [2.3]. In the work of these of William Kininmonth in its work in and poor conditions. In the Gorbals, the state-sponsored architects, including the Borders at Burnmouth in 1949, slab blocks of Basil Spence’s Queen 24 | SCOTLAND: BUILDING FOR THE FUTURE

Elizabeth Square, Hutchesontown C from variation and a mix with low-rise imagine I really appreciated being able (‘the Queenies’) are the most renowned, accommodation as well as an existing to have a bath whenever I wanted. My built in 1961–6 and each a Scottish parkland setting. The towers of the health improved dramatically after the version of Le Corbusier’s Unité Dumbiedykes estate in Edinburgh move.’ Tony Roper has immortalised d’Habitation in (1946–52), (1959–64) by the City Architect were a such sentiment in his play The Steamie. an icon of Modernist architecture. striking contrast to the dramatic natural Poor maintenance and Demolished in 1993, the Queenies’ backdrop of Salisbury Crags without the management, the lack of understanding material form is blamed for their benefit, at first, of a variety of housing of innovative technology, and an demise as much as any community types as later built. However, the partial apparent social breakdown often implosion. An architect involved with collapse of Ronan Point in London’s East imposed by the high-rise form in the scheme noted: ‘What we did not End in 1968, following a gas explosion, its perceived isolation and sterile realise when we were building things called into question the suitability of landscape, have already caused much of this nature is that they involve very high-rise structures. The maintenance of this achievement to be condemned to high maintenance cost. And that cost of these buildings has since been found redevelopment before it could be more was impossible for the local authority challenging, owing to such period norms fairly appreciated. Constructing tower to deal with.’ Sam Bunton’s American- as concrete cladding and asbestos blocks was not cheap – nor was it ever inspired (1962–9), at insulation. Apparent obsolescence and claimed to be – and did not compare 31 storeys, were not system-built, but subsequent stigmatisation of the type financially with lower-density schemes rather of steel-framed construction clad make it easy to forget the considerable where system building was naturally in asbestos sheet. Patrick Abercrombie improvement in quality of life which the more cost-effective. Anniesland Court in his wartime strategy for post-war high-rise and new tenemented estates (1967–8), an isolated multi-storey block reconstruction had suggested that had brought, outstripping much of in Glasgow’s Crow Road by Jack Holmes housing for 136 persons per acre what the poorly maintained Victorian and Partners that was largely influenced would provide a desirable norm for tenements could provide. Ruby Bryden, by the developments of London County built-up areas in London. Bunton’s Red a resident of forty years in Glasgow’s Council, is to date the only tower block Road housing scheme housed 212 per , recalls: ‘I thought my new in Scotland designated as a listed acre to satisfy the requirements of the house was brilliant. I was absolutely building. With the benefit of time, it is Glasgow Corporation. delighted with my inside toilet and one of the first to be recognised as In Aberdeen’s Hazelhead scheme bathroom. We used to have to go to the being of special architectural merit, (1963–4), the tower blocks benefited steamie to have a bath so as you can perhaps because its success as a HOUSING AND HEALTH | 25

unique design, but uncannily similar to would emerge, perhaps akin to large 2.4 Cables Wynd House, , Edinburgh, its exact contemporary in London, Ernö celebrated 1950s and 1960s schemes Alison and Hutchison and Partners, 1963-6. Crown Copyright: RCAHMS Goldfinger’s Trellick Tower, of which the in and London [2.4]. In the practice would probably not have known. local context, the formula may be seen Cables Wynd House, Leith as a bold reinterpretation of smaller (1963–6), by Alison and Hutchison and schemes of deck-access flats erected Partners, with ten storeys and over in Edinburgh around 1900, but unlike in 200 flats, is one of the best examples Glasgow, where large-scale clearances in Scotland of the modern form of took place, the ‘Banana Flats’ (so-called large deck-access housing which because of the building’s plan form) 26 | SCOTLAND: BUILDING FOR THE FUTURE

2.5 Irvine New Town, 1966. Crown Copyright: RCAHMS HOUSING AND HEALTH | 27

were built on an unusual site within the , although its growth was rise developments (such as Seafar and existing town plan. challenged early in its history at the Carbrain). Scotland’s five New Towns owe closure of Rothes colliery in the 1950s. New Town growth required the their existence to post-war legislation – Cumbernauld emerged with the relocation of industry, and to satisfy in the form of the specific goal of practically eradicating the overspill it was critical that the – but their planning to pre-war reaction the housing deficit in Glasgow, as next town should not compete with against areas of dense tenements in the earlier towns had only begun existing manufacturing and engineering the larger cities, in particular Glasgow. to accommodate the now famous centres in Scotland. Hence Livingston Originally, on advice from Sir Frank ‘overspill’. By contrast with East Kilbride, was chosen, in 1962, to allow for a Mears – whose thinking had been the Garden-City-inspired New Town, new focus on industry along the central moulded by the great social engineer, Cumbernauld was of a new generation belt and replace previous dependency – eight were considered and sought, for example, a clear on coal and shale. The larger numbers necessary. These towns were built on separation of vehicular and pedestrian planned for Livingston saw an evolution Utopian and Garden City principles, and traffic. It was planned from 1957 by of revised principles in response not the emphasis on a balanced community Hugh Wilson with the Corporation least to universal car ownership. While predominates; yet each town is distinct team. Its multi-level covered town East Kilbride and had both in terms of design and layout. centre designed by Geoffrey Copcutt bordered existing settlements, the fifth Designated in 1947, East Kilbride is an iconic megastructure, at once New Town at Irvine would consume two was the first New Town to emerge, celebrated internationally and detested – Irvine and Kilwinning – from 1966, and succeeded in attracting industry to locally. While it won the American but would draw its employment from support its new community. While new Institute of Architects’ Reynolds Award outside, from the ICI plant at Ardeer residents from Glasgow were reported for community architecture in 1967, and the nuclear plant and the later ore to experience ‘New Town Blues’ – it has more recently won a television terminal at Hunterston to the north stemming from the initial lack of competition for its demolition. It is [2.5]. facilities and infrastructure – the town undeniable that the concept was at the Scotland’s sixth New Town at has been a tribute to the philosophies of forefront of contemporary architectural Stonehouse, , was the last Ebenezer Howard, the great advocate design and in theory related to social intended to serve Glasgow’s overspill. of Garden City planning. Glenrothes aspirations here. It was also capable Its development was challenged by followed in the east, intended to serve of variation and conversion and competing demands to support failing the new mining industry along the surrounded by purposeful, tight-knit low- industry elsewhere and by emerging 28 | SCOTLAND: BUILDING FOR THE FUTURE

plans for repairing the housing stock in policies for a ‘Brave New World’ which reconstruction boom during the 1960s, Glasgow itself in response to the 1969 led to the post-war schemes began to and the lead in this of the public sector. Housing Act. The great Scottish cities lose credibility, it is no surprise that the It is helpful to remember that the by this date were prepared to lose no new ‘sustainable’ policies of the Glasgow varying quality of local authority housing more historic fabric, and further plans Eastern Area Regeneration should in the period was in part dictated by for new housing in Stonehouse were move in to take their place. budgetary provision, the pressure of stopped in 1976. Late-20th-century housing time to supply the acute demand and The particular context for schemes, following the ‘questioning’ the restriction on the availability of this actual U-turn in favour of the decade of the 1970s and co-ordinated materials. Few of the many outstanding rehabilitation of existing fabric can by the new housing associations housing examples of this post-war be traced to the planning of the emerging in the 1980s, have clearly period detailed in this chapter remain Comprehensive Development Areas, been influenced by the lessons learnt as built. In forming areas of special whose main concerns related to how from post-war schemes. The 1969 architectural or historic interest, the land was used in the city of Glasgow. Town and Country Planning (Scotland) type lends itself well to designation as These had formed the core of urban Act brought a change in philosophy, conservation areas, and an audit of the planning in the post-war period and, requiring local authorities to provide surviving extent could be invaluable. through 29 different zones, had local and over-arching regional The scale of late-20th-century intended largely to reshape Glasgow’s structure plans considering the future housing schemes was smaller than metropolitan form. Most, however, development of their areas from a that of their predecessors, not only were not executed. The nature of the holistic perspective. The Act required because of reduced pressure. The associated housing developments and the repair of inner cities to defer to landscape was changing: architects’ their scale, predictably perhaps, bred the goals of conservation planning practices would tender successfully for reaction and led to the emergence of and reject wholesale redevelopment. commissions against state competitors, the conservation movement of the later Initiatives for the repair of tenements – and the low-rise cul-de-sac would 20th century. In 1971, Lord Esher beginning with Taransay Street, become a familiar pattern. While the commented that ‘after the rigours of from 1971 – would see the gradual scale and form of housing has varied warfare in foreign parts, people had evolution of communities as clients. in distinctive period essays over the had enough concrete to be going on Housing demonstrates more last 50 years, they retain a historical with’ – yet more had been served up on starkly than any other building type significance which cannot be denied. an unforgiving, inhuman scale. As the the unequalled scale of Scotland’s HOUSING AND HEALTH | 29

The Health of the Nation

he health of the people is of course linked to housing, and in Tthe post-war period it duly fell to the same ministerial department 2.6 Vale of Leven Hospital, Alexandria, Joseph Gleave (Keppie, Henderson and until 1961. The formation of the Gleave), 1952. © William Young. Licensor www.scran.ac.uk National Health Service by the Labour government, by statute in 1948, paved the way for new rationalist philosophies in hospital design. With the consequent growth in health care provision, however, a new, larger hospital was required to the west of Glasgow, and Joseph Gleave of Keppie Henderson and Gleave took the commission to build the District General Hospital, Vale of Leven, Alexandria, from 1952, the first complete new-build after the War in Britain [2.6]. While a capacity for expansion had been critical to the Alexandria design, it demonstrated nonetheless the low linear ventilated plan form which was gradually to be replaced, in parallel with the design for schools, by centralised, multi-storey planning and smaller wards. Bellshill 2.7 Bellshill Maternity Hospital, Gillespie Kidd and Coia, 1959-62. © The Scotsman Publications Ltd. Maternity Hospital (1959-62) [2.7], Licensor www.scran.ac.uk 30 | SCOTLAND: BUILDING FOR THE FUTURE

was among the first to display this new thinking and less institutional approach, as did Robert Matthew Johnson- Marshall and Partners’ Ninewells Hospital, Dundee (1961–74). The design of components of hospitals benefited from new commitment to state provision. The Ross Nurses’ Home at Hawkhead in Paisley, for example, was a 1949 reworking of T S Tait’s pre-war design for the same, to provide a streamlined residence. Rational planning and critical

creation of a sterile environment 2.8 Nuffield Transplant Unit, , Edinburgh, Peter Womersley, 1955. informed Peter Womersley’s iconic and © The Royal Incorporation of Architects in Scotland. Licensor www.scran.ac.uk award-winning design for the Nuffield Transplant Unit at Edinburgh’s Western General Hospital (1955), while his boiler (1951–3) by Robert Gardner-Medwin In more recent times, the design house at Dingleton Hospital, Melrose revealed, in garb, the of the Maggie’s Centres at five major is a powerful statement of functionalist perceived ideal and ground-breaking cancer treatment hospital sites across expression [2.8]. The planning of Falkirk combination of services around a Scotland from 1996 have resulted in Royal Infirmary Ward Unit and Theatre welcoming courtyard plan. Peter some imaginative buildings by national Block (1963–6) by Keppie Henderson Womersley, working in a village setting, and international figures in architecture and Partners was tailored in response produced a unique and imaginative from Frank Gehry to Zaha Hadid and to ergonomic requirements following a group of Practice Consulting Rooms Page and Park. They are the vision of study funded by the . at Kelso (1967), originally with the founder and cancer sufferer Maggie New thought extended in the futuristic oval-plan pods with a series of Keswick Jencks, and aim to provide period to general health practice and interlocking rooms, but which are now a ‘home from home’ environment for community planning. In this regard, altered because of the changing needs cancer patients and their families the Sighthill Health Centre, Edinburgh of the medical practice. [2.9]. HOUSING AND HEALTH | 31

2.9 The Maggie Centre, Dundee, Frank Gehry, 2003. Hospitals must respond to calibre of the original design. Listing constantly changing requirements, the most significant examples provides and the manner in which facilities are a in the process to ensure that upgraded on a shoestring budget may due thought is given, from an informed – as with any subject, if not considerate standpoint, to the options available in of the building’s character – erode the managing their change. 32 | SCOTLAND: BUILDING FOR THE FUTURE Education

Madras College’s Kilrymont ‘In recognising the importance of Road building in , which the building through listing, Historic opened in 1967, broke the mould Scotland, working with the local of conventional school design and authority, seeks to ensure that any provided an inspiring and engaging change is appropriate. Together with environment for pupil and teacher my son and his contemporaries, alike. Stuart Miller, a former I appreciate the value of our local teacher at the school which his architecture and its place in our son attended, enjoyed the benefits heritage. A school is not just a of a building full of character, building, it includes staff and pupils colour, subtlety and imagination: who work together for learning and for preparation for life in the wider world. ‘I had worked there for fifteen or more Madras College has done that well.’ years before my son took me on a The Kilrymont Road building, tour of the building and showed me designed by Fife County Architects, was the significance of its architecture. It constructed at a time when Modernist was not a mere Chinese pagoda but a architecture was developing in St whole site designed to reflect the style Andrews. Andrew Melville Hall (James of the Sixties with more than a hint of Stirling, 1964–8) and the North Haugh an airport terminal of the future. The Technology Centre (William Holford and careful and thoughtful use of a wide Associates, 1965–8) were the school’s range of materials added to the overall contemporaries. impact. 34 | SCOTLAND: BUILDING FOR THE FUTURE

3.0 Education

Scotland has prided itself historically on having high regard for education. he pivotal force for school The priority placed on education in post-war Scotland remained high and the architecture during the period came immediately with the ‘brain drain’ which also occurred during this period evidenced clearly the T 1945 Education (Scotland) Act, which Scottish system’s success. The drive to modernise Scotland recognised that the brought free secondary education establishment of high-quality schools and universities was central to achieving for all and raised the school leaving age from 12 to 15. In following its this ideal, although the challenge in doing so was significant. Restrictions were English predecessor, the ‘Butler Act’ placed on available materials, and the pressure to accommodate the rapidly of 1944, it supported the need for a increasing ‘baby-boom’ generation loomed. major rebuilding programme. New philosophies in education required more flexible accommodation and at the same time more tailored designs. Different classifications of need and processes of selection and categorisation emerged, and with new requirements also came a clear separation of building types, particularly between primary and secondary schools. In 1949, the authors of The Modern School, C G Stillman and R Castle Cleary, explained: ‘All too often a

3.1 Our Lady and child’s first impressions of school are St Francis Secondary of a bleak expanse of uncompromising School, Glasgow, tarmac beyond which looms a flinty Gillespie Kidd and Coia, 1964 (extension to Gothic institution within the walls of original site). which he is aware of an all-pervading © Architecture on Disc. chocolate or green gloom and almost Licensor www.scran. pervading reptilean [sic] dankness.’ ac.uk There was a real move to break the EDUCATION | 35

‘gloom’ in the interwar years, when compact designs of the Edwardian age of urban Board Schools were replaced – where provision was required – with a more linear form, sometimes using finger plans (with regular blocks projecting at 90-degree angles from the main corridor), which brought in more light. The predominant trend post-1945 was actually to return to a modern version of the dense or compact plan, although there appear to have been 3.2 Smithycroft Secondary School, Glasgow, A G Jury and City Architects Department, 1964. some incursions of more sprawling, Crown Copyright: RCAHMS linear plan forms. The first school designed by Gillespie Kidd and Coia – continuing this, for example, at Our Lady over a polygonal assembly hall at the Secondary in Glasgow and St Francis Secondary in Glasgow, in centre of the ring [3.2]. – although conceived in 1938 and the 1964 extension where cantilevered Guidance to assist with design built from 1954, was a variant on the planes sweep up to maximise light came not least from the report from compact design and would show how, to the classrooms while deterring the Wood Committee entitled Standard from early on, the practice did not any sense of height through their Construction for Schools (1943). conform to any one trend in building and horizontal emphasis [3.1]. Smithycroft Initiated in , this committee was design. While set in spacious grounds Secondary School, Glasgow, by A G Jury set up by the Ministry of Education to and with generous fenestration, and the City Architects Department, consider standardised construction the main block contains specialist similarly adopted the more integrated and layouts for the new schools needed accommodation for dance and theatre, approach and expressed this boldly in after the war. The report recommended probably leading to its development into a circular plan in 1964. The influential symmetrically balanced and integrated the Dance School of Scotland in 1983. design comprised three-storey rings of design – ‘a connected framework Gillespie Kidd and Coia responded classrooms facing outward, while the to which the whole of the structure to the logistics of block design, corridors for circulation faced inward must conform’ – while respecting the 36 | SCOTLAND: BUILDING FOR THE FUTURE

3.3 Rothesay Academy, Bute, Harvey and Scott, 1956-59. © Rothesay Academy

need for speed and economy. J and F College, St Andrews (1963–7) provided Johnston’s design for Berwickshire High a flagship school through a unique School, , although planned before design which sought to enliven the 1939, demonstrated the essence of spirit of its occupants, in a rich balance the recommendations made in the of texture and colour. The architects Wood Committee report in its low and at Fife County Council continued to long horizontal principal elevation, 50 provide unique designs in the modern bays in length, and its use of canopies ethos for high schools at Inverkeithing and box-framed, recessed windows. in 1968–73, where such features as However, it was often the case the circular ribbed concrete pavilions, that the dearth of available materials partially sunk into the ground, for limited the hand of the architect and science and homecraft, and the use of led to an unavoidable reduction in the pilotis, add distinguishing character to square footage recommended. The the ensemble. most ubiquitous building material, The use of pilotis as a component more readily available after the war, of Modern Movement design also was brick; the use of glass, concrete distinguished Harvey and Scott’s and steel (obtainable at a premium) planning for the Rothesay Academy on was less common, although some of Bute, (1956–9) [3.3]. In a commanding the more overtly modern examples location over the town, a classroom is of school buildings were constructed jettied out on columns, and the whole using them. R S Lawrie and Fife County articulated with contrasting colours Council’s Kilrymont building at Madras and textures, so that the burgh’s key EDUCATION | 37

LEFT 3.4 Dalreoch Primary School, Dumbarton, Mural Although not strictly consistent with by David Donaldson depicting Mary Queen of Scots the principles of modern architecture, departing for from Dumbarton Castle, 1957. the inclusion of a decorative component made an occasional contribution to ABOVE 3.5 Music School, George Watson’s College, school design in the post-war period. At Edinburgh, Michael Laird and Partners, 1962. © The Dalreoch Primary School, Dumbarton Scotsman Publications Ltd. Licensor www.scran.ac.uk (1953–5), Johnston of Boswell Mitchell and Johnston engaged David Donaldson, later knighted and becoming patron and local landowner, Lord the Queen’s limner, to provide painted Crichton-Stuart, commented on its murals of Mary Queen of Scots leaving ‘strange quality of arrested movement, Dumbarton Castle, and another of an equilibrium of massive strength and Noah’s Ark, in 1957 [3.4]. transparent lightness’ with ‘something Increasing demands on technical of the braced economy of a ship about performance and specialised provision to be launched’. have led to some striking additions to 38 | SCOTLAND: BUILDING FOR THE FUTURE

3.6 Hazelwood Primary School, Drumbreck, Glasgow, Murray and Dunlop, 2006-07. © Gordon Murray + Alan Dunlop Architects

existing schools. At George Watson’s provision of new schools, funded by the to the needs of pupils, providing a school College, Edinburgh, for example, the private funding initiative known as Public which meets the specific requirements trustees chose Michael Laird to provide Private Partnership (PPP). The sale and of pupils with sensory impairment. At the new music school in 1962, and here demolition of the existing school, unless , the long and low formula the auditorium was given both pride already listed, appears periodically to be with generous lighting is taken to a of place and acoustic sophistication a necessary presumption in certain PPP poetic extreme in a sinuous plan in a through its hyperbolic paraboloid roof. packages, to be replaced with buildings leafy setting. It is clad in slate, timber Its sweeping form invited use as a BMX for which the school’s design and the and cork, with texture and colour given track, resulting allegedly in structural pupils’ need have not been considered exceptional emphasis. The respect damage. [3.5] adequately. Gordon Murray and Alan and warmth that such a considered From 1992 under the Dunlop’s recent design of Hazelwood composition commands for the child Conservatives, and then continued School, Dumbreck, Glasgow (2006–7) and the building’s purpose should under the Labour government after has understood and continued the work inform future thinking [3.6]. 1997, local authorities across the of previous pioneering decades, where Tertiary education took a different country focused their attention on the school designs were being customised theme in the post-war period, EDUCATION | 39

particularly in the years between 1957 and 1970 when the focus was on large- scale redevelopment. Typically for the period, change was led by a government paper – that of the Committee on Higher Education chaired by Lord Lionel Robbins, an economist. The report’s recommendations, included expansion as a priority and many new universities 3.7 David Hume Tower, , 3.8 Glasgow College of Building and Printing, Wylie, within the , were George Square, Robert Matthew, Johnson- Shanks and Underwood, 1958-64. © Newsquest (Herald and Times). Licensor www.scran.ac.uk accepted in 1963. However, significant Marshall and Partners, 1959-62 . © The Scotsman Publications Ltd. Licensor www.scran.ac.uk university building programmes were already underway in the major urban supplying architects with some of the and planning ideals. centres in Scotland in the 1950s, with most challenging and sought-after work. Dundee was not slow to Dundee and Edinburgh being some of The authoritative figure of Robert provide accommodation to suit new the earliest in the UK, and with further Matthew influenced the emerging requirements of the universities, if not developments in Aberdeen and at principles on his return, following initially modern in their attempts for Scotland’s new campus university at seven years as architect to the London Queen’s College (later the University Stirling. Student numbers reportedly County Council, to private practice and of Dundee). First of these was the increased by approximately 10% over a university post in Scotland in 1953, Ewing Building by and the years from 1967 to 1972. bringing wide-ranging experience. While Partners in 1953, well fenestrated with New theories, both in teaching developing new patterns of architectural ashlar facing and lavish detail. Robert and in the dynamics of university life, practice, such as decentralised Matthew’s design for the flagship Tower provided a powerful drive for change. grouping, and bringing changes to Building (1956–61) was the first tower Chief among the latter was the idea architectural education, he sought to be realised for tertiary education in of communities with separate but harness private–public consultancies as Scotland [see 7.6]. connected teaching, communal and a vehicle for the new and reinvigorated Edinburgh University was among the residential sectors. In teaching, more universities. He was also keen to exploit earliest to moot change in the shape interdisciplinary study was required, the unprecedented opportunities for of Basil Spence’s development plan for with fewer lectures and more tutorials, putting in place personal architectural the relocation of the arts and sciences 40 | SCOTLAND: BUILDING FOR THE FUTURE

3.9 , Pathfoot Building, Robert Matthew Johnson-Marshall and Partners, 1966-67. Crown Copyright: RCAHMS

faculties to George Square, at the heart the linchpin of the podium group, graces Glasgow continued the theme in of a Comprehensive Development Area, the Edinburgh skyline as a distinctive the provision of complementary tower in 1955. From 1958, Robert Matthew landmark, but the scheme was not blocks for Stow College in the urban Johnson-Marshall and Partners without considerable opposition owing heartland. The College of Building and further developed Spence’s concept to the demolition of sections of the Printing (1958–64) by Peter Williams of quadrant towers, with the podium existing 18th-century square and the of Wylie Shanks and Underwood arrangement and tower becoming key tower’s unprecedented height in the city was the first of these: at 13 storeys, components. The David Hume Tower, [3.7]. with single-storey assembly hall and EDUCATION | 41

gymnasium, it bears distinct references to the work of Le Corbusier [3.8]. The College of Distributive Trades (latterly the Central College of Commerce, Charles Oakley Campus) was designed from 1957, also by Williams, but built from 1959 and stands as a foil. At seven storeys in height, it is the junior of the two but bears close stylistic similarities to its near neighbour. Both are generously lit with distinguishing pilotis, Travertine marble cladding and Vitrolite. Stirling University, established in 1967, reached the zenith for the period in Scotland, the one entirely new ‘plate glass’ campus born in response to the Robbins Report. Competition for the site was held between Ayr, Perth, Dumfries, Cumbernauld, Inverness and Falkirk, but Stirling won in satisfying most closely the criteria set – that is 200 acres of ground, proximity to a large town and with links to business and cultural communities. The campus plan and design was developed in 1966–7 by Robert Matthew’s practice led by John 3.10 University of Edinburgh Library, George Richards, while Matthew focused his Square, Sir Basil Spence, Glover and Ferguson, attention on an equivalent at Coleraine 1965-67. Courtesy of RCAHMS (Sir Basil Spence in Northern Ireland. The buildings were Archive) 42 | SCOTLAND: BUILDING FOR THE FUTURE

system-built in response not least to an exemplary designs. In Glasgow, William His intention and achievement was to acute timescale. The first and arguably Whitfield and Partners provided a continue here the small-scale informal the best departmental building on the fortified, Brutalist concrete tower civic character which pervades the campus is Pathfoot [3.9]. Because evolved from 1961 – a monumental city’s university. The residences the building was required to provide statement for the university, included the first ever mixed-sex hall the university with all its functional intentionally sited at a dominant point in Britain. In 1956, Edinburgh followed space prior to the completion of other of the new extension as part of the Aberdeen with the classical Modernist main buildings, it was designed as vision of J M Gleave, the University of Pollock Halls of Residence, by Rowand multi-purpose, flexible in its plan, and Glasgow’s campus master-planner. Anderson Kininmonth and Paul, on the all in a streamlined and rational form, At Edinburgh, Sir Basil Spence Glover edge of . The layout here maximising the inclined site and views and Ferguson designed the mannered boasts a collegiate atmosphere through of the existing 18th-century designed late Modernist library (1965–7), which the use of ‘cloisters’, providing one of landscape. completes a second side of the George Scotland’s most significant examples There can be few colleges Square development with anchoring of the Festival of Britain style, with the worldwide as tailored to purpose and authority and was regarded in planning influence of Swedish classical design, in powerfully expressed architecturally terms to be superbly adapted for its use the distinguishing lantern towers. as that of St Peter’s Seminary, [3.10]. St Andrews looked to Faulkner- Gillespie Kidd and Coia designed Cardross, by Gillespie Kidd and Coia Brown Hendy Watkinson Stonor the five residential blocks at Notre (1959). Le Corbusier’s monastery at in 1972 for a more horizontal and Dame College (later St Andrews La Tourette in France may have given appropriately comfortable design to suit College), Bearsden, 1968–9, a more some inspiration, but the compact and its location on the back gardens of the focal position within the wider estate, harmonious form of the communal flanking streets. each distinguished by stepped, cubic provision at St Peter’s evidences the Residential facilities were part of the articulation [see 7.8]. The University architects’ considered response to the community goal of the new philosophies, of St Andrews’ planned expansion requirements of a closed community and again Matthew provided a large led them to James Stirling in 1964 [see 8.3]. clustered complex for this purpose at to design the Andrew Melville Hall on The library is for many the hub of Crombie Halls, Aberdeen (designed the North Haugh. Situated on falling their college experience, and three 1953; built from 1957) – slightly ground, only one of four sections was universities responded to this in the old-fashioned stylistically for its date, built, resulting in a rippling and linear 1960s, equipping their students with harking back to the Swedish vernacular. V-plan that makes reference to ocean EDUCATION | 43

liners, and with distinctive polygonal PPP. Schools in particular are the focal 3.11 , Andrew Melville rooms and economical exposed breeze point of many communities and their Hall, James Stirling, 1964. © Nick Haynes. Licensor www.scran.ac.uk blocks which have inadvertently come to design, preservation or redevelopment characterise the building [3.11]. can be an emotive matter. Many The building programme for higher university buildings, the fabric for which education reached a conclusion by has come to the end of its original 1970, and was perhaps tarnished in lifespan, are likely to change or be the shape of the Europe-wide student demolished. It is precisely at this time, protests in 1968. At a superficial level, when the post-war developments have the buildings’ planning was seen to have defined more than one generation, that bred a neurosis and to be causative; an assessment of the architecture however, this was a temporary and of post-war education is needed to unjustified scapegoat for another prevent the unnecessary loss of critical constellation of social concerns. historic achievements and major design Post-1945 schools are among successes. those being swept away at present in the drive for new schools funded by 44 | SCOTLAND: BUILDING FOR THE FUTURE Industry and Infrastructure

Long before his election as MP superior medical facilities, canteens and for , David Hamilton baths, housed in iconic colliery surface began work on his 16th birthday buildings. in a colliery. His first pit was David moved first to Bilston Glen, Easthouses, after which he worked which proved to be a shock. With in other older local collieries. a workforce of over 2,000 men, it These were relatively small-scale was unfriendly compared with the pits where most people knew one intimacy of the older pits. However, another, and although conditions he later transferred to neighbouring were comparatively poor, they Monktonhall, which he describes as were convivial places to work. being a fantastic modern colliery. By the time Scotland’s deep coal However, two new showpiece ‘superpits’ mining ceased in 2002, Monktonhall had opened at Bilston Glen, Loanhead and all Riss’s super-collieries had and Monktonhall near Edinburgh. As been demolished, despite attempts to the National Coal Board (NCB) closed save them. In a strange coincidence, older mines in the mid-1960s, miners however, a small piece of Riss’s work – like David were transferred to the an overhead reinforced-concrete gantry new super-collieries. These had been – has survived at Lady Victoria Colliery masterminded by Austrian émigré where David spent a short spell as a Egon Riss, the NCB chief architect in young miner. It is safely preserved as Scotland. Riss’s new collieries were a part of the Scottish Mining Museum in massive improvement, and included the heart of his constituency. 46 | SCOTLAND: BUILDING FOR THE FUTURE

4.0 Industry and Infrastructure

Energy

Industry and infrastructure played a major role in the evolution of Scotland in the post-war years, and as a consequence, some of the most important architecture of the period is associated with industrial activity, public utilities and the development of improved transport and communications. Much of the impetus resulted from the general election of 1945, which returned a majority socialist government at Westminster. Although it was only to serve one term in government, the new Labour administration set the tone for a strong state involvement in economic development, extending government influence and investment well beyond the provision of core public services. It is perhaps the confidence of this commitment by the state, combined with what was a particularly exciting phase of technological development, that make this such an interesting architectural period.

cotland had emerged from the by the state in the Scottish coal

PREVIOUS PAGE Second World War in a strong industry. At the time, coal provided Lady Victoria Colliery, Sposition both to contribute to the directly and indirectly (through town Netowngrange showing UK’s post-war reconstruction efforts, gas and electricity) over 90% of the Egon Riss’s overhead and to support the drive to repay UK’s energy requirements, and its gantry from the baths to the pithead. Crown heavy overseas debt brought about by dominance is well illustrated by the copyright: RCAHMS rearmament and six years of war. At confident architecture of the large the heart of government strategy was new collieries that were sunk in the Monktonhall Colliery the need to produce energy, and the 1950s and 1960s. Built mostly to the at Millerhill, near Edinburgh. Crown first focus of the resulting industrial design of Austrian architect Egon Riss copyright: RCAHMS renewal was massive investment (chief National Coal Board architect in INDUSTRY AND INFRASTRUCTURE | 47

LEFT 4.1 Bilston Glen Colliery, perspective drawing by Egon Riss, 1960. © Egon Riss/National Coal Board

ABOVE 4.2 Bilston Glen Colliery, view of fan house, 1989. Crown Copyright: RCAHMS

statutory protection was considered, they were not at the time judged to be suitable for listing. Most were therefore entirely demolished in the 1980s and 1990s to pave the way for privatisation and the selling off of former National Coal Board assets. In the immediate post-war decades, increasing quantities of coal were used to generate electricity in Scotland), these and some substantial within the surface arrangements of the what was at the time referred to as colliery reconstructions included Rothes collieries. ‘coal by wire’. This coincided with the and Seafield in Fife, Killoch in Ayrshire, Although the first of the new rapid expansion of the National Grid, and Bilston Glen and Monktonhall in complexes, Rothes, proved to be an nationalisation, the creation of regional Midlothian. In addition to introducing unmitigated disaster, surviving for only electricity boards, and the associated advanced mechanisation and five years, other superpits such as centralisation of power generation, a economies of scale, the new collieries Seafield, Bilston Glen, Monktonhall and substantial proportion of which had, were designed to eradicate appalling Killoch were more successful [4.1 and like water and gas, been municipalised working conditions for which coal mining 4.2]. However, massive upheavals in the in the late 19th and early 20th was famous, and for the first time market for coal in the 1980s ensured centuries. As a consequence, smaller routinely integrated welfare facilities their premature demise, and although local power stations were gradually 48 | SCOTLAND: BUILDING FOR THE FUTURE

decommissioned as major prestigious coal-fired thermal generating stations were constructed. Opinions are divided on the design and appearance of the new generation of thermal power stations, but Cockenzie is widely regarded as being the most impressive architecturally [4.3]. It was designed for the South of Scotland Electricity Board (SSEB) by consulting engineers Kennedy and Donkin, and Strain and Robertson, and by architects Robert Matthew Johnson- Marshall and Partners. Contractors on the ground included the iconic Scottish engineering companies Sir Robert McAlpine, famous for its expertise in concrete, and Sir William Arrol, perhaps similar construction. Two reinforced- of activity during the late 1940s and Scotland’s most famous structural concrete chimneys, each 153 metres early 1950s in particular. The most engineering firm. high, dominate the complex and impose important post-war examples include Designed to generate 1,200 a strong sense of symmetry. Clunie Power Station (1949–50) in megawatts, and located to the east In addition to enhancing coal-based Perthshire, which was designed by J of Edinburgh so that it could be easily energy, the growth of the National Grid Guthrie Brown of Sir Alexander Gibb and linked by rail to its principle sources of enabled the expansion of hydroelectric Partners, one of the most important supply – Monktonhall and Bilston Glen capacity, which had already been engineering companies of the period. collieries – the station is dominated pushed forward in the inter-war years Another fine hydroelectric power by a large rectangular steel-framed with the construction of major schemes station was completed in 1950 at Sloy glass-clad building housing the boilers in the Lowlands and Highlands of near Arrochar on the boundary of Argyll and super-heaters, adjacent to which Scotland. This process continued after and Dunbartonshire. Built to the design is the steam-turbine hall, which is of the Second World War, with a flurry of Tarbolton and Ochterlony, the station INDUSTRY AND INFRASTRUCTURE | 49

comprises a two-storey five-bay classical been built in this period was that at LEFT rectangular building accommodating Fasnakyle, which was constructed 4.3 Cockenzie Power Station, architects Robert Matthew, Johnson-Marshall and Partners the turbines, with a control room, repair as part of the Affric scheme in the consulting engineers Kennedy and Donkin, and shop, office block and battery room. Highlands in May 1952 [4.4]. Built Strain and Robertson, 1961-64. Crown Copyright: Although steel-framed, the exterior to the designs of architect James RCAHMS facing of pre-cast concrete slabs and Shearer of Dunfermline, its tall three- ABOVE granite and its corniced pilasters bay rectangular flat-roofed generating 4.4 Fasnakyle Power Station, architect James between the bays create a fine façade. hall is faced with rubble sandstone Shearer, engineers Sir William Halcrow and The steelwork and pipelines feeding the from Burghead in Moray. The resulting Partners, 1952. © RCAHMS (Shearer and Annand Collection) turbines were the work of engineers Sir façade is adorned with tall pilaster William Arrol. strips and matching long fenestration Perhaps the finest of the with multi-pane glazing. The building hydroelectric power stations to have accommodates three 22,000-kilowatt 50 | SCOTLAND: BUILDING FOR THE FUTURE

turbo-alternators driven by Francis The most famous nuclear facility of Clyde at Hunterston; and another at turbines. The latter are fed by water in Scotland, the Dounreay Nuclear Torness in East Lothian, to the east of captured by the Mullardoch Dam, the Establishment, has also now ceased to Edinburgh. Of these, Hunterston ‘A’ is largest concrete gravity dam in the operate, but remains a major landmark regarded as being the most significant. UK. The scheme’s engineers were Sir on the north Caithness coast and a Built between 1957 and 1964, it is a William Halcrow and Partners, and the symbol of the industry [see 1.1]. Work fine example of the British gas-cooled main contractors John Cochrane and on the original construction of the Magnox reactor design. Commissioned Sons of . establishment commenced in 1955, the for the South of Scotland Electricity From the 1950s onwards, the race main civil engineering contractors being Board (SSEB), it was designed and to develop independent British nuclear Whatlings of Glasgow, with specialist constructed by a consortium of weapons also provided the opportunity engineering input from Motherwell engineers, including the General Electric to develop technologies that advanced Bridge, who built ‘the sphere’. The first Company (GEC), Simon Carves, Mowlem the generation of nuclear energy. At the ‘fast’ reactor began functioning in 1959 (Scotland) and Motherwell Bridge. Its time, and well into the 1960s, this and and was the first non-military installation principal components are two attractive similar developments were packaged to generate nuclear power for the steel-framed glass-clad curved buildings, as being ‘white heat’ technologies, National Grid. It became an important each containing at its core a Magnox and were promoted positively by both research facility over its 18 years of reactor surrounded by a ring of Conservative and Labour governments. operation, particularly in relation to stainless-steel heat exchangers. Nuclear facilities were therefore nuclear fuels. Based on this experience, Hunterston ‘A’ was regarded recipients of generous state investment, a new ‘fast breeder’ reactor and a within the industry as the most efficient and their functional appearance tended prototype 250-megawatt generating nuclear power station in the UK, to acquire iconic status. Even though station were built by Taylor Woodrow suffering comparatively few problems confidence in the nuclear industry was and completed in 1974. The power in its 26 years of operation. Generation dented by serious technical problems station ceased operating in 1994, and ceased in 1990, and decommissioning and spiralling costs – the true extent decommissioning activity has been operations have been under way since of which have only recently come to underway since then. then. light – many of the new power stations Scotland was home to four became powerful symbols of the other nuclear power stations: one at technological era, and sat proudly in Chapelcross near Annan (now closed); often scenic coastal locations. two on the coast of Ayrshire in the Firth INDUSTRY AND INFRASTRUCTURE | 51

Infrastructure

hilst electricity supply was clearly one of the most Wimportant foci of state investment in the post-war years, other public utilities also required improvement. Of these, water supply was one of the most significant, especially as rapidly improving housing was now equipping the majority of the population with running water, bathrooms and WC facilities in their homes. The growing demand for water led the Glasgow Corporation to further expand its historic Loch Katrine Water Works in the late 1950s by harnessing water in the adjacent valley through the excavation of a tunnel connecting it with Loch Katrine. Supply was enhanced by the design and completion by Babtie Shaw and Morton, with contractors Mowlem (Scotland), of the Glen Finglas dam in 1965 [4.5]. Whilst not the largest of its type, this is an excellent and spectacular example of the period. Investment in water supply was not only confined to major catchment schemes. Urban expansion was also putting a strain on the water distribution 4.5 Glen Finglas Dam, Babtie Shaw and Morton systems, and Glasgow in particular with contractors Mowlem (Scotland), 1965. began to invest in the construction Crown Copyright: RCAHMS 52 | SCOTLAND: BUILDING FOR THE FUTURE INDUSTRY AND INFRASTRUCTURE | 53

LEFT 4.6 Water Towers, Glasgow, F A MacDonald and Partners, 1958.

FAR LEFT 4.7 Forth Road Bridge, engineers Mott, Hay and Anderson and Freeman, Fox and Partners, 1958-64 (commissioned 1947). © RCAHMS (Sir William Arrol Collection) of reinforced-concrete water towers high-quality post-war railway buildings in which not only provided local storage Scotland. In contrast, the expansion of capacity, but also generated a sufficient Scotland’s roads inevitably resulted in head to permit the supply of water to some prestigious bridge projects, the the higher suburbs of the city. Many of largest of which was the Forth Road these futuristic towers have become Bridge, the central part of which was at landmarks in the city, and include the time of its completion in 1964 the , Tannochside and Garthamlock longest-span in Europe at 1 kilometre. [4.6]. Of these, the latter is one of the The project’s consulting engineers were most striking. At over 30 metres high, Mott Hay and Anderson and Freeman it is the second tallest water tower in Fox and Partners, and the contracting the UK, but has the largest capacity, engineers responsible for the bridge’s holding over 4,546,090 litres of water. superstructure were a consortium Completed in 1958, it was built by Holst made up of Sir William Arrol, Cleveland and Co to the designs of F A Macdonald Bridge Engineering and Dorman Long and Partners. [4.7]. The post-war period also witnessed Many other noteworthy bridges massive investment in transport have been added to Scotland’s road infrastructure. The railways initially network since 1964. These include the retained their position as the principal Tay Road Bridge (1966), the Friarton movers of people and freight, but this Bridge near Perth (1978), and most was steadily eroded as funds were recently, the Skye Bridge (1995). To increasingly focused on the roads these should be added the Erskine network. This is reflected in the lack of Bridge (1971) to the west of Glasgow, 54 | SCOTLAND: BUILDING FOR THE FUTURE

4.8 Kylesku Bridge, Ove Arup and Partners, 1984. which was at the time a state-of-the- the most beautiful of the post-war Crown Copyright: RCAHMS art cable-stay design. Similarly, the bridges is at Kylesku, carrying the Kessock Bridge taking the A9 over the A894 over the entrance to Loch á Beauly Firth near Inverness was the Chàirn Bhàin. Designed by Ove Arup and largest cable-stay bridge in Europe on Partners, it was completed by Morrison its completion in 1982. But perhaps Construction in 1984 [4.8]. INDUSTRY AND INFRASTRUCTURE | 55

Production

uring the golden age of Scotland’s industrialisation in Dthe late 19th and early 20th centuries, considerable effort and resources were often expended on the appearance of factory buildings. This was seen as a worthwhile investment by leading industries because the appearance of the buildings was perceived to reflect upon the potential quality of the products manufactured within. During the 20th century, the visual status of factory factory units, often of portal steel-frame 4.9 Cummins Diesel Engine Works, Shotts, buildings receded as functionality and design, with brick, concrete-block or Ahrends, Burton and Koralek, Ove Arup and Partners and Landesign Group, 1975–1983. accountancy became the dominant crimped-steel walls. © Dawn E McDowell drivers, and the effects of economic There are, however, significant depression combined with the national exceptions to the uninspiring post-war panic brought about by rearmament pattern of factory building. Many of and subsequent war further relegated these are once again related to state architectural factors down the queue intervention, and in particular to the of priorities. Scottish industry was not policy of attracting inward investment to therefore especially image-conscious compensate for the de-industrialisation when it emerged from six years of war process that swept through Scotland’s in 1945. Since then, the general trend traditional industries. The political has been for increasingly standardised agenda driving this initiative demanded 56 | SCOTLAND: BUILDING FOR THE FUTURE

the creation of flagship industrial so the factory units became more projects that would in themselves specialised, requiring exacting hygiene attract more inward investment once and environmental standards. they had settled in, blazing a trail for Another industrial firm to choose new industry. Scotland as its first non-American Amongst the earliest new state- production centre was Cummins, of-the-art factories built after the an engineering company from war were National Cash Registers Ohio specialising in diesel engines (1946) and Timex (1947), both on the for large vehicles. The company northern edge of Dundee, adjacent subsequently made a name for itself to the Kingsway. Both factories were manufacturing engines for ‘Sprinter’ designed by Beard Bennett and Wilkins. trains in the UK and Europe. Having Other prominent examples include arrived initially in Shotts in 1956, the the Honeywell Factory at Newhouse company chose to redevelop its site in Lanarkshire adjacent to the M8 in 1975 with the assistance of the The company decided to erect a motorway, which was the company’s Scottish Development Agency. The Scottish factory in 1946 in Airdrie, first production unit outside the USA new buildings, which incorporate a a Government-designated Scottish and was completed in 1955. former textile mill, were designed and Development Area. The building, which As these examples demonstrate, constructed by Ahrends Burton and cost £27,000 and was to produce a the attraction of North American capital Koralek, Ove Arup and Partners and range of pharmaceuticals, was designed has proved to be especially important in Landesign Group (landscape architects), by in-house company architects, post-war Scotland, and has continued and were completed in 1983. The constructed by H B Kerr, and initially into the silicon era with the attraction complex is regarded as one of the employed 750 people [4.10]. Elsewhere of many of the world’s most important most outstanding pieces of industrial in Scotland, there are a number of other microelectronics manufacturers. architecture in Scotland in the post-war post-war industrial buildings that are Some, such as Hewlett Packard, have period [4.9]. of note. These include the W D and H been very successful, whilst others, Not all inward investment in this O Wills Tobacco Factory at Alexandra including Motorola, have been less period came from abroad. An important Parade in Glasgow. Designed by the so. As the microprocessor industry example of an English company investing company’s own engineers, and similar evolved and became more demanding, in Scotland was Boots of Nottingham. INDUSTRY AND INFRASTRUCTURE | 57

to its contemporary factory south of post-war buildings is the HMSO Store 4.10 Boots Factory, Airdrie, H B Kerr, 1946. the border in , the in Sighthill, Edinburgh. Designed in Crown copyright: RCAHMS building was completed in 1953. The 1949–50 by Ministry of Works factory comprises a massive square architect Stewart Sim, this is regarded red-brick courtyard block, and following as a pioneering form of pre-stressed its closure in 1993, was converted concrete frame construction, and is to become the heart of the ‘City Park’ widely quoted in engineering literature. industrial estate. Industrial buildings are not Other factory buildings of interest confined to urban locations, and one include the spinning mill of Tay Spinners of the most visually pleasing post-war in Arbroath Road, Dundee, which was complexes can be found at Tormore in designed by Kenneth F Masson, the Speyside. Tormore Distillery comprises chief architect of the Scottish Co- a collection of buildings designed by operative Wholesale Society, in 1947. Sir in 1958. Most However, one of the most significant are white-harled with grey polished 58 | SCOTLAND: BUILDING FOR THE FUTURE

ashlar or bull-faced granite margins and dressings, creating a cohesive and attractive group which compares favourably with some of the more modern distilleries of the 1970s. One of the most exciting recent Scottish infrastructure projects was completed in 2002 with support from the Millennium Fund, and in the process was a core part of the revitalisation of both the Union and Forth and Clyde Canals. The Falkirk Wheel and its associated visitor centre were the result of a collaboration between British Waterways and a consortium including Arup (Scotland), the Scottish architects RMJM, contracting engineers Morrison-Bachy-Solentache, and Butterley Engineering. It has become one of Scotland’s most successful visitor attractions, is internationally recognised, and has helped to initiate regeneration through the heart of the central Lowlands. It is therefore one of the best and most recent examples of post-war industrial architecture and engineering in Scotland, and is widely admired throughout the world [4.11]. INDUSTRY AND INFRASTRUCTURE | 59

4.11 Falkirk Wheel, RMJM architects, engineers Morrison Bachy-Solentache, and Butterley Engineering, 2002. 60 | SCOTLAND: BUILDING FOR THE FUTURE Places of Worship

Our Lady of Sorrows The design was clearly inspired by church, in the Western Isles, the work of Gillespie Kidd and Coia, completed in 1965, shows in notably the practice’s St Paul’s Church, its remote and exposed setting Glenrothes (1956), but in a more how effective economic design appropriately massive and block-like can be when approached with rendition. Ceramic mosaic work by imagination and enthusiasm. For David Harding, inside and out, provides around £20,000, the diocese decorative touches in contrast to the provided this island community over-arching simplicity. with a design conducive to the ‘The initial organisation of the requirements of modern worship, building programme involved many its imposing elevations drawing practical considerations not normally the congregation to a spacious, found to be critical in urban projects thoughtfully lit interior where none on the mainland. Specialist work of them would be more than 50 feet was sub-contracted but much of the (15metres) from the celebrant. labour was carried out by a number of experienced parishioners employed ‘Several months after having graduated for the duration of the work. The with a degree in architecture, but structural engineer was Dudley Gibb. with little in the way of practical The tremendous enthusiasm and drive experience, I was fortunate enough of the parish priest Mgr McKellaig who to be commissioned to design a new acted as contractor, and his curate, chapel for the parish of Garrynamonie Fr McNeill, and the response from the in South Uist,’ explains the architect, workmen were critical.’ Richard McCarron. 62 | SCOTLAND: BUILDING FOR THE FUTURE

5.0 Places of Worship

The architectural legacy of Scotland’s diverse strands of Christian belief has added immeasurably to the character and sense of place of many of its towns and villages. After 1945, the church continued to be given pride of place in the planning of substantial new housing schemes catering for ‘overspill’ and relocation of thousands of people from large urban centres, however much the scarcity of materials required the commission for new churches to follow an economic brief. Some new denominations and religions new to Scotland appeared in the cultural melting pot, and many of the hundreds of new places of worship built are among the most distinguished buildings of the post-war period.

n the early years, a group of Thistle Foundation, Edinburgh (1949) architects retained traditional is a survival stylistically of the Arts and Iecclesiological and design principles Crafts period and was constructed but infused their work nonetheless with as a memorial church with high- imaginative detail. Alexander McAnally quality craftsmanship throughout, was a key figure in this mould, with demonstrating the clear influence of works for the Roman Catholic diocese the design principles of , such as St Pius X (1954) in the new the founding partner of this practice housing scheme, Drumchapel, and the [5.1]. Peter Sinclair’s St Margaret’s larger St Teresa of Lisieux, Glenrothes (1953), for this ‘New Town’, (1956), both in Glasgow. These two is also unashamedly designed along buildings date to well before the swell traditional lines. of change that accompanied the European influences had a role in Second Vatican Council (1962–5). shaping some of the more outstanding John F Matthew’s Robin Chapel at the church designs of the 1950s, 1960s PLACES OF WORSHIP | 63

5.1 Robin Chapel, Edinburgh, John Matthew, 1949. Crown copyright: RCAHMS and 1970s. The early post-war an interior inspired by the Dominikus revivals. Consequently, after the Second churches of the renowned practice Frielingsdorf Church in Cologne, and the World War, many Christian churches Gillespie Kidd and Coia – St Laurence’s, latter by a striking parabolic roof. sought to marry realisation of the new Greenock (1951–4) and St Charles, Innovation in the church of the mid- liturgy of a ‘common priesthood’ to (1959–60) – show the to later 20th century was led by the Modernist planning, and in so doing influence of modern Scandinavian Liturgical Movement. This movement brought some striking buildings to the design common to many building encouraged the active involvement landscape. The similar requirements types in the decade following the of the laity in the liturgy, in a manner of the Second Vatican Council for the Festival of Britain in 1951. Reginald closer to the early Christian traditions Roman Catholic Church from the early Fairlie and Partners were seized with relevance to modern life and with 1960s also influenced the hierarchical exceptionally by Spanish precedents in less formal hierarchy. The Movement’s layout and articulation of the interior. their two Glasgow churches of 1954: continuing search for an appropriate Following the Second World St Laurence’s and St Augustine’s contemporary expression for design War, a select group of architectural externally echo Ibizan ranches, but was rooted in the later-19th-century practices, including Gillespie Kidd the former is further distinguished by reaction to stylistic and ecclesiological and Coia, would push the boundaries 64 | SCOTLAND: BUILDING FOR THE FUTURE

ABOVE 5.2 St Pauls Glenrothes, Gillespie Kidd and Coia, 1957-58. Crown of expression away from the purely Copyright: RCAHMS functional and traditional, seeking to provide powerful church designs. The LEFT main contributions to the latter practice 5.3 Craigsbank Church, Edinburgh, Rowand by Isi Metzstein and Andy MacMillan Anderson Kininmonth secured their ascendancy in the field and Paul, 1964-66. and, continuing the firm’s link with the © The Scotsman Publications Ltd. Roman Catholic community, led to 17 Licensor www.scran. outstanding churches being among ac.uk the first post-war buildings to be listed. St Paul’s, Glenrothes (1957-8), in an intimate wooded setting, broke with the traditional (basilican or rectangular) layout, with a fan-shaped plan and a glazed tower, flooding the interior with PLACES OF WORSHIP | 65

5.4 St. Mungo’s Church, Cumbernauld, Alan Reiach, 1963-64. © RCAHMS (Alan Reiach Collection)

coloured light [5.2]. St Mary of the Cross by Alberto Morrocco, together worship in hillside hollows. The same Angels, Falkirk (1960–61) continued with Mondrian-inspired stained-glass practice’s Brucefield Parish Church, this theatrical effect, its interior bathed windows, resulted in a strikingly Whitburn (1964–6), by the locally with primary bands of colour, in a cubic innovative composition. One of the born and bred architect, Tom Duncan, brick form which would evolve into most exceptional designs to show the shows a theatricality with inspiration the practice’s monolithic design for influence of the Liturgical Movement from Le Corbusier and Frank Lloyd St Bride’s, East Kilbride (1963–4) [see within the established church was that Wright, distinguishing the surrounding End Note]. at Craigsbank, Edinburgh (1964–6), contemporary housing scheme [see St Columba’s Church, Glenrothes by Sir William Kininmonth of Rowand 7.3]. Alan Reiach’s St Mungo’s Church, (1958–62), by Wheeler and Sproson, Anderson Kininmonth and Paul [5.3]. Cumbernauld (1963–4), with its was an influential and liturgically Here, not only is the communion pyramidal roof, also adds theatricality to experimental design (see 8.5). Centrally table surrounded by tiered seating the goal of worship in the round [5.4]. planned, the interest was focused on three sides, but the nave is also Alison and Hutchison and Partners primarily on the interior. Here the sunk, in reference to the conventicle produced the circular church of St inclusion of a mural of the Way of the churches of 17th-century Scotland and Gabriel’s, Prestonpans (1965), which 66 | SCOTLAND: BUILDING FOR THE FUTURE

LEFT 5.5 St Gabriel’s Church, Prestonpans, Alison, Hutchinson and Partners, 1965. © East Lothian Library Service. Licensor www.scran. ac.uk

FAR LEFT 5.6 Stained Glass for the Moncur Memorial Church, , Majorie Kemp, 1950-55. © www. undiscoveredscotland. co.uk

is the clearest expression of this and is for Gillespie Kidd and Coia’s Sacred now mainstream philosophy [5.5]. Heart, Kildrum, Cumbernauld in 1964. The importance of sculptural Even the more remote churches such and decorative furnishing within the as the Moncur Memorial Church, churches of the period was as always Orkney (1953–5), by Leslie Grahame dictated to a degree by budget. MacDougall, benefited from stained- However, the stained glass at St Paul’s, glass work by artists such as Marjorie , Glasgow (1957–60), Kemp [5.6]. The fine sculpture work by by Gabriel Loire, was central to the Hew Lorimer would elevate A R Conlon’s basilican design by Reginald Fairlie work at St Francis Friary, Dundee and Partners. Here the dalle de verre (1958), while Benno Schotz’s Stations (faceted glass) work is outstanding, and of the Cross graced the interior of we may assume that Sadie McLellan Gillespie Kidd and Coia’s St Charles’, was aware of its quality when providing Kelvinside (1963). further windows in this distinctive form One of the first churches to provide PLACES OF WORSHIP | 67

5.7 Crematorium, Edinburgh, Sir Basil Spence, Glover and Ferguson, 1967. Courtesy of RCAHMS (Sir Basil Spence Archive) 68 | SCOTLAND: BUILDING FOR THE FUTURE

a free-standing bell tower after the war mausolea. The butterfly plan of early built legacy of this new age will was at the same time the only one by Glasgow’s Crematorium in time demand recognition for its the practice of Sir Basil Spence Glover (1950–52), or the Scandinavian distinguishing contribution to the and Ferguson – that is, St Andrew’s, Modernism of Greenock’s equivalent changing cultural grain. Judaism has , Edinburgh (1953). St (1959) – inspired by Gunnar Asplund’s been firmly established in Scotland for Columba’s, Glenrothes also has a Woodland Crematorium (1935–40) hundreds of years, but no architecturally campanile, as do its near-contemporary in Stockholm, Sweden – evidence a outstanding buildings have yet come St Charles’, Kelvinside and Alan Reiach commitment to expressive, dignified to light after 1945 which compare and Stuart Renton’s Kildrum Parish designs. Thomas Cordiner’s design for with the sumptuous Romanesque and Church, Cumbernauld (1960). The Linn Crematorium, Glasgow (1962) Byzantine Synagogue by loss of the bell tower at St Bride’s, East continued the pattern with Beaux-Arts John McLeod, dedicated in 1879. The Kilbride has long been mourned among inspiration. It was Sir Basil Spence Muslim faith has a growing population conservation circles, as the complete Glover and Ferguson’s Mortonhall across the , with the largest group may be regarded as one of the Crematorium, Edinburgh (1967) which concentration in Glasgow. Here, the most iconic church designs of the post- would introduce a strikingly different massive Central Mosque of 1984 by war period (see End Note). design for this building type, earmarked Coleman Ballantine Partnership is One of the more recent by its vertical emphasis, white calcined among a dozen across the city built denominations to arrive in Scotland is flint aggregate concrete blocks, zinc to cater for this congregation, the that of the Church of Jesus Christ of roofs and red cedar doors, creating a ancillary buildings soon to be enlarged Latter-Day Saints. John Easton provided theatrical contrast and declaring most to establish an Islamic Centre [5.8]. The a Glasgow congregation with a notable emphatically its homage to Le Corbusier Great Mosque in Edinburgh is one of six Modern Movement design in Kinfauns [5.7]. in the capital, and was designed by Basil Drive, Glasgow in 1960, now converted While Christianity remains, Al-Bayati around 1990. to serve as a community centre while according to the 2001 census, the In the context of a decline in the retaining its characterful fins. dominant religion claimed by 63% number of practising Christians, Crematoria have, of course, an of Scotland’s population, the post- with 27% of the population cited as ecumenical relevance. Examples in war period of multiculturalism and having no religion at the millennium, this period evidence an inspiration and immigration has seen a slow growth many of these former central pillars reverence equivalent to that which in the representation of other world of our communities are facing created the best of pre-Victorian religions and their architecture. The redundancy from their original function. PLACES OF WORSHIP | 69

An appreciation of those which have contributed most to the built environment cannot be other than desirable in the face of this seemingly relentless tide, not least to inform the search for their adaptation.

5.8 Central Mosque, Glasgow, Coleman Ballantine Partnership, 1984. © Newsquest (Herald and Times). Licensor www.scran.ac.uk 70 | SCOTLAND: BUILDING FOR THE FUTURE Leisure

Football is dear to the hearts into its current location – a pitch which and minds of most Scots and it previously belonged to the Galashiels is no surprise therefore that this Rovers rugby club – in 1962, and by pride should have been translated 1964 they had successfully raised into architectural form in the years money through a lottery for the erection after the Second World War. of a permanent stand. Peter Womersley’s design for Gala The otherworldly name of the Fairydean , Galashiels club, Fairydean, is based on the local (1963–4), with Ove Arup connection found in Walter Scott’s engineers, is such an eye-catching novel The Monastery where the Glen of monument to the sport nestled in Allen, very near Galashiels, is known as this Borders mill town. In January the ‘Fairy Dean’. It would seem that the 2007, the Gala Fairydean Football ethereal club name would suit a modern Club celebrated its centenary and building which Adam McClory has noted in the same year their now iconic cannily as ‘not really from this country’. modern stand was designated a The profiles of the stadium are listed building. unique and inspiring, undoubtedly futuristic, from the inverted pyramid Adam McClory has supported the of the turnstile canopy to the open- club since he was a boy and knew mouthed cantilevered shelter of the what it was like in the days without a main stand, with glazed clerestory permanent stand. Fairydean moved adding lightness to the overall design. 72 | SCOTLAND: BUILDING FOR THE FUTURE

6.0 Leisure

Once improvements to Scotland’s housing, transport, education and health had been addressed by legislation and state initiative, central government and local authorities alike could turn to leisure and culture. A range of particularly outstanding and imaginative commissions showed how the provision for this essential component of modern society responded to the desire for a higher standard of living.

ecognition of sport as the Dollan Aqua Centre, East Kilbride fundamental to health and (1963–5) by Alexander Buchanan Rwelfare is not new, and Campbell, which was the largest pool swimming and water sports have been built in Scotland at the time [6.1]. Here perennial favourites. Public swimming the parabolic arch is tied down with facilities were provided relatively early in concrete buttresses in an organic the larger board schools from the later design. It was inspired by the 1960 19th century and, in the early 20th Olympic complex in Rome designed century, at the open-air lidos, which by Pier Luigi Nervi. An imaginative were often included at key seaside renovation by FaulknerBrowns resorts. With the gradual demise of Associates in 1995 ensured that public washhouses and increasing the pool’s exceptional features could demand for year-round swimming, a answer the changing needs of its higher grade of recreational facility patrons. In contrast to the extravagant was sought as a community resource. design of the Dollan Aqua Centre, Among the most futuristic designs Robert Matthew Johnson-Marshall of the post-war decades to date was and Partners rose to the challenge LEISURE | 73

of accommodating the forthcoming Stadium, Galashiels (1963–4), although ABOVE LEFT 6.1 Dollan Aqua Centre, East Kilbride, Alexander Royal Commonwealth Games in 1967, designs of this quality were rare in a Buchanan, 1963-65, sketch perspective c.1962. working with a sloping site to provide decade which was financially difficult © RCAHMS (Alexander Buchanan Campbell Collection) a striking, low and linear structure as for the sport. Designed by Peter a foil to the rugged crags of Holyrood Womersley, one of Scotland’s most ABOVE 6.2 The , Edinburgh, Park behind. The pools themselves creative post-war architects, and Ove Robert Matthew, Johnson-Marshall and Partners, were placed on the lower ground but Arup engineers, the sharp lines and 1967, photograph 1970. © The Scotsman open to the stunning views beyond. The imaginative form of the supremely Publications Ltd. Licensor www.scran.ac.uk job architect, John Richards, tackled functional stand are outstanding. The traditional problems of heat loss, noise, stadium illustrates that the role of glare and condensation in this design engineers in achieving some of the and won three awards in recognition of most expressive designs in modern his achievement [6.2]. architecture cannot be underplayed. Football’s supremacy as a The structure’s compact and dramatic sport in the hearts and minds of a achievement can be contrasted with large percentage of the population the larger near-contemporary stadium is embodied in the Gala Fairydean by Stuart Harris at Meadowbank, 74 | SCOTLAND: BUILDING FOR THE FUTURE

6.3 British Golf Museum, St. Andrews, Andrew Merrylees, 1988. © Royal Fine Art Commission. Licensor www.scran.ac.uk

Edinburgh, or that by Shearer and The distinctive ‘caged bowl’ was barely design giving continuity and identity to Annand in Dunfermline. However, completed when premature calls for its the building type by adopting a style Gala Fairydean’s stadium was not to listing rang through the media. chosen for several pre-war sporting everyone’s taste and, shortly after it Golf is the sport for which Scotland pavilions. was built, the structure was derided as holds the passionate claim, and the The ethos of the post-war years being similar to second-rate Eastern increasing requirement for outdoor encouraged a fresh-air culture, and Bloc architecture. By contrast, the sports after the Second World War it would follow that architecture public’s reception of the design for not surprisingly saw the erection of supported this aspiration. James Stadium, Edinburgh a number of new golfing facilities, Shearer, better known for his extensive (1992–4), by Miller Partnership, with including a distinctive museum at St hydroelectric power schemes in a capacity for 67,500 and carefully Andrews (1988) by Andrew Merrylees the north of Scotland, was less well tailored to crowd management, has [6.3]. However, typical examples of known as the architect of youth been described in the popular press clubhouses of the period could be hostels. However, his design of the as a ‘structurally expressive cauldron seen at Cardross (1956), which Y-plan David Marshall Lodge (now the for Scotland’s home internationals’. demonstrated a Modern Movement Queen Elizabeth Forest Park Visitor LEISURE | 75

6.4 David Marshall Lodge, Aberfoyle, Shearer and Annand, 1958-60. © RCAHMS (Shearer and Annand Collection) 76 | SCOTLAND: BUILDING FOR THE FUTURE

Centre), Aberfoyle (1958–60) earned his practice, Shearer and Annand, wider acclaim [6.4]. Pinned by a capped tower at the centre and built of drystone rubble slate, the wings include sheltered viewing platforms with column-supported canopies to give free access to the spectacular surrounding views. By contrast, a more open visitor attraction and viewing point was created at the historic site of the 6.5 Visitor Centre rotunda, Robert Matthew Johnson-Marshall and Partners, 1964. © The National Trust for Scotland Bannockburn battlefield near Stirling in 1964 [6.5]. Here, Robert Matthew conceived a landmark to commemorate the 650th anniversary of the battle, complete with a designed landscape, a circular enclosure and a statue of King by . The place of nature in our leisure again seized designers’ imagination at Edinburgh’s Royal Botanic Gardens [6.6]. George A H Pearce, as architect to the Ministry of Public Buildings and Works, provided in 1967 at the request of the curator, Dr E E Kemp, a long innovative greenhouse with a de- constructivist external structure to give an unimpeded interior for the plants and to allow the maximum amount of 6.6 Royal Botanic Gardens Greenhouse, Edinburgh, George A H Pearce, 1967, elevation drawings. daylight. The elegant composition was Courtesy of RCAHMS (Pearce Collection) LEISURE | 77

achieved with a lattice steel tube-frame, fin-shaped concrete piers, deck access and canopied doors. Certain styles of modern design may possess significance for their period and material qualities which contribute to the architectural character of an area, but their wider recognition may be, for some, a matter of time or an acquired taste. Edinburgh’s New Club (1966–9) by Reiach and Hall is indicative of this slow burn [6.7]. It is a traditional middle- 6.7 The New Club, Princes Street, Edinburgh, Reiach and Hall, 1966-69. Crown Copyright: RCAHMS class establishment intended to cater historically outstanding. serve changing needs, has respected for gentlemen’s leisure and business A greater accessibility to the original concept and has arguably needs; but, contrary to its long-standing the performing arts has been an added value to the original design. The institutional principles, it displays a achievement of more recent years. theatre was conceived to be a centre strikingly new, Brutalist building. It was The Eden Court Theatre, Inverness for performing arts, and has acted in part inspired by the advice of a panel (1973–6), designed by Law and as a civic centre in the Highlands. In of experts on planning and architecture Dunbar-Nasmith (LDN) with theatre design terms, the repeating hexagonal (their resulting commissions known consultant John Wyckham, provides motif distinguishes the composition. as the ‘Panel’ buildings), seeking to a rich example of enlightened thinking LDN’s reputation also led them to the relieve Princes Street from pedestrian [6.8]. Eden Court, controversially, commission for the Pitlochry Festival congestion and to improve its retail absorbed the historic Bishop’s Palace Theatre (1979–80), on the banks of performance through the use of a in its conception, making the best the Tummel, externally dressed as a continuous walkway at first-floor level. of a prominent riverside location, its glazed pavilion to take in the views. This Its erection was at the heart of a concrete blockwork characterised with also led to their work on the Edinburgh conservation battle at the time, but flint aggregate. A recent extension Festival Theatre (1994), which involved the architectural significance of its to the theatre by Page and Park, to the re-fronting and refurbishment design has since been recognised as 78 | SCOTLAND: BUILDING FOR THE FUTURE

ABOVE 6.8 Eden Court Theatre, Inverness, Law and of the former Empire Theatre with below and a glazed atrium above, was Dunbar-Nasmith, 1973-6. © Charles McKean. a dramatic scoop of curved curtain dubbed a ‘bravura composition of Licensor www.scran.ac.uk wall on the city’s Nicolson Street. modern architecture’. It was extended a

RIGHT Theatre design was not exclusively the decade later to accommodate essential 6.9 The Burrell Collection, Park, Glasgow, province of LDN, however; Nicoll Russell facilities for an expanding Community Barry Gasson and Brit Andreson, 1978-83. © Royal Studios also excelled in this field. Their Department. The theatre was in part Fine Art Commission. Licensor www.scran.ac.uk award-winning Dundee Rep Theatre of funded through a local public appeal. 1982, an articulated rectangle with Recent work nearby by Richard a cantilevered stair providing shelter Murphy, absorbing a former garage into LEISURE | 79

the Dundee Centre for Contemporary Arts, continues the achievement of the Rep to create an artistic enclave within the city. Similarly imaginative, Nicoll Russell’s rebuilding of the , St Andrews (2002) on a tight and sensitive town centre site followed a challenging brief: to increase audience capacity and improve technical and production capabilities while retaining the intimacy for which the performance space of the ‘old byre’ was known. The design won in competition for its ‘strong presence and as an enhancement of a well-used facility’. In the field of galleries and museums, there are probably two great buildings which will come to mind to define the post-war period, both tailored around their collections. Barry Gasson and Brit Andreson’s award-winning Burrell Collection (1978–83), in the landscaped and leafy setting of Glasgow’s Pollok Country Park, can stake a claim [6.9]. Entered through a church-like gable, the vast red sandstone and glass structure melds comfortably with the natural environment of the park. The second candidate would no doubt be Benson 80 | SCOTLAND: BUILDING FOR THE FUTURE

and Forsyth’s extension to the National of redundant subjects which follow the Museum of Scotland in Edinburgh’s historic grain are being adapted by Chambers Street of the mid-1990s, some to these functions. Edinburgh’s seen as a landmark in international Dynamic Earth (1999) by Michael architecture and a statement of Hopkins Architects, and the Scottish national status equivalent to those Poetry Library (1999), Dance Base in Ottawa, Canada and Wellington, (2001) and the Scottish Storytelling New Zealand. Indeed, regard for this Centre (2006) by Malcolm Fraser ashlar masterpiece is such that recent Architects, show what can be achieved changes to improve access have been within the historic environment. criticised by leading authorities as ‘tacky Engineering achievements such as the interventions’ when set against such an Falkirk Wheel may, along with other original. futuristic designs created around the New smaller galleries have millennium such as Glasgow’s Science increased our potential for enjoyment, Centre, be listed buildings of the future notably through eye-catching [see 4.11]. Already, the surviving mighty transformations ranging from the Titan cantilever cranes around the former Dean Orphanage conversion Clyde, former Trojans of the shipbuilding for the National Galleries of Scotland industry, can be seen with a new role as (1995–8) by Terry Farrell, through to visitor attractions of the 21st century. Richard Murphy’s Fruitmarket Gallery, Edinburgh (1991–3), distinctively of its time and creatively revitalising a former rail-side market building [6.10]. Near-contemporary provision for leisure continues to seek fresh and imaginative solutions to enliven our recreational and cultural pursuits for 6.10 Fruitmarket Gallery, Edinburgh, the future. For example, sophisticated, Richard Murphy, sustainable and timeless conversions 1991-93. LEISURE | 81 82 | SCOTLAND: BUILDING FOR THE FUTURE Architects

The Principal’s House at the feature is the inter-visibility of space University of Stirling, designed by with careful attention given to the Morris and Steedman (1966-7), is relationship of internal and external a key building in a select group of vistas. The architects’ understanding outstanding Modernist houses in of landscape and architecture is Scotland, many of which have not akin to the Japanese tradition later survived intact. The opportunity reinterpreted in the work of Philip to design a bespoke space for the Johnson, Mies Van der Rohe, Marcel Principal of Scotland’s first ‘New Breuer and Richard Neutra, all of whom University’, founded in 1966, was informed their design philosophy. made possible by the vision of the Indeed, the building has not much first Principal, Tom Cottrell, who changed, and the University’s current selected one of the top practices Principal and Vice-Chancellor, Professor of the day. Christine Hallett, has enjoyed living in the house for the past 5 years, during Morris and Steedman, who were her time in post. She comments leaders in avant-garde house design, thoughtfully that the building is ‘at one provided an innovative, linear plan with its setting in Central Scotland, relating sensitively to a highly dramatic with its natural environment and setting on a craggy outcrop in the its historic landscape. It was an former grounds of Robert Adam’s inspiration to choose this site.’ Airthrey Castle. The interior treatment Professor Hallett recognises that the is simple, using high quality materials house is a prized asset of the University. and finishes, but the most important 84 | SCOTLAND: BUILDING FOR THE FUTURE

7.0 Architects

The architects who have had a significant impact on the face of post-war Scotland are numerous. Among those who are most notable for their individual design ideals, some have made a more public impression than others, with high-profile or even controversial commissions.

he usual route to the profession which were potentially under threat of by joining a well-established major change or even loss. Adopting Tprivate practice changed during an essentially thematic approach this period, as a greater number by focusing on specific aspects of a of architects began their careers practice’s work or building types – a anonymously under the banner of relatively new way of undertaking the local authority offices. Around 50% of listing process, which is more usually professional architects were employed addressed region by region – has not by the public sector in the late 1960s, only helped to identify individual buildings rising to 68% by the mid-1970s, which of interest, but has also provided an in- included city architects departments, depth understanding of social, economic nationalised industries and public and political relationships which defined utilities. the years following the Second World Whether Scottish by birth or War. Patronage of the state was the Scottish by residence, an interesting key force in shaping Scotland’s modern picture of the type of architecture architectural landscape. Nevertheless produced in Scotland during the post- a number of important institutional and war period can be gained by examining private commissions have also made a

PREVIOUS PAGE the output of architects and their significant contribution to the modern Principal’s House, practices. Indeed, reviewing the work heritage of Scotland and beyond, while University of Stirling, of these architects for possible listing putting into the spotlight the wealth interior view, c.1969. has proved to be not only practical but © Morris and Steedman of creative talent within this country’s Architects Ltd. also useful, helping to identify buildings borders. ARCHITECTS | 85

Most architects of the post-war of architects, were ingested earlier 7.1 Thurso Secondary School, Sir Basil Spence and period were weaned on Le Corbusier, on in the 20th century, especially in Partners and William Wilson (County Architect), 1954-58. © RCAHMS (Spence, Glover and Ferguson Mies van der Rohe and Modernist Glasgow. However, by the time many Collection) principles set forth by European, of the Modernists had emigrated from particularly German and French, Europe to America and Great Britain theoretical influences. American during the 1930s owing to threat of ideals, mixed with a French Beaux-Arts war, the International Style had truly or atelier model for the education spread itself so wide that it became a 86 | SCOTLAND: BUILDING FOR THE FUTURE

7.2 National Library of Scotland, Edinburgh, Andrew philosophy rather than a singular style. architects’ offices. The interwar years Merrylees, 1985-87, extended 1993-4. Architectural training in Scotland’s art were challenging for the established schools during the 1930s and 1940s firms such as Rowand Anderson Paul was still underpinned by the teaching of and Partners, Keppie Henderson, classical methods, but those architects Jenkins and Marr, Lorimer and who came to maturity after the Second Matthew and Gillespie Kidd and Coia, World War were able to realise with Burnet Tait and Lorne probably their ambitions not only in private emerging as the most successful. practice but now also in local authority However strong the culture in Scotland ARCHITECTS | 87

for maintaining a link to established university buildings, and the highly talent and helped to define its breadth, practices, during the 1920s and 1930s regarded Falmer House (1964–6) from pre-Second World War country it was common for an old firm to be at Sussex University. Spence’s vision house architecture to exclusive urban taken over completely by a new one. was remarkable and, as architect- commissions for the wealthy insurance Basil Spence (1907–1976) designer, his influence was almost company, Scottish Widows [see 1.5]. was briefly in partnership with his unparalleled. Similarly, his ability William Kininmonth’s legacy was contemporary William Kininmonth to manage his practices both in not as widespread as that of Spence, (1904–1988) in the 1930s but by Edinburgh and in London as a well-oiled but he can be cited as a pioneer 1946 had launched his own practice, corporation, producing architecture at of Modernism in Scotland after he soon taking on John Hardie Glover high levels of professionalism and with produced his own house at 46a Dick and Peter Ferguson. Within less than superlative design acumen that was Place, Edinburgh (1934) along the strict a decade Spence would become a consistent in its quality and integrity, tenets of the International Style. His household name after winning the was incomparable. Although Spence’s practice – known as Rowand Anderson competition for rebuilding popularity as a public figure waned in Kininmonth and Paul – would continue Cathedral in 1951. The strength his later life, his practice in Scotland to innovate in the post-war period, with of his design work was immediately continued to thrive, fostering the likes an ever-evolving creative team including perceptible, and he was surely one of his of Andrew Merrylees (working on the Ian C Gordon, Tom Duncan, William generation’s most skilled draughtsmen. practice’s Edinburgh University Library) Leslie and Richard Ewing. They made a Early post-war commissions (many who would go on to design one of the significant impact on Scotland’s post- instigated prior to the War) included most significant Scottish public buildings war architecture, mostly in the east, a plethora of school and university of the 1980s, the National Library of producing important social housing jobs for the and Scotland, Causewayside, Edinburgh schemes, offices and civic buildings, and secondary schools at Thurso (1954–8), (1985–7) [7.2]. The centenary of particularly expressionistic designs for East Kilbride (1950–56) and Kilsyth Spence’s birth was celebrated in 2007 the at Craigsbank, (1939 (halted); 1946–54), all of which with a number of major public events Edinburgh (1964–6) [see 5.3] and for would build him a solid reputation in including a retrospective exhibition; Brucefield Parish Church, Whitburn, Scotland [7.1]. In England he continued the thematic survey of all his buildings (1964–6) [7.3]. to impress with numerous high-profile and those of his Scottish practice is Robert Matthew (1906–1975), jobs, including the Festival of Britain the subject of a listing review that has Scotland’s ‘architect-diplomat’, reflected Sea and Ships Pavilion (1951), many confirmed the depth of the practice’s the aspirations of the post-war period 88 | SCOTLAND: BUILDING FOR THE FUTURE

ABOVE perhaps better than any other architect. projects of the period, in Scotland and 7.3 Brucefield Church, Edinburgh, Rowand He had returned to private practice in abroad, including airport Anderson, Kininmonth and Paul, 1966. Crown Copyright: RCAHMS Scotland in 1953 after a distinguished terminal building, Edinburgh (1953–6) career as Architect to London County [7.4]; Ninewells Hospital, Dundee ABOVE RIGHT Council, with the Royal Festival Hall (1955–73); the Royal Commonwealth 7.4 Turnhouse Airport, Edinburgh, Robert (1948–51) as the feather in his cap. Pool, Edinburgh (1967–70); major Matthew, 1953-56. © The Scotsman Publications Ltd. Licensor www.scran.ac.uk His vision sought to bridge the gap new work between the 1950s between private and public practice, and the 1970s for the universities part of a wide-scale redevelopment of at Dundee, Aberdeen, Edinburgh, communities and institutions through York, Coleraine and Stirling; ground- planning and, in his own words, ‘solving breaking social housing schemes, architecturally the most difficult of social namely Hutchesontown B Gorbals in problems’. Matthew had assembled a Glasgow (1958–64); power stations at highly skilled team with Stirrat Johnson- Kincardine (1953–62) and Cockenzie Marshall as partner from 1956 and (1959–67); prestigious commercial later including Tom Spaven, John buildings for large companies such Richards and Kenneth Graham. He and as British Home Stores in Edinburgh his practice would be responsible for (1964–8) [7.5] and Aberdeen (c.1968) some of the most significant building and United Distillers and Vintners ARCHITECTS | 89

TOP RIGHT 7.5 British Home Stores, Princes Street, Edinburgh, Robert Matthew, Johnson-Marshall and Partners, 1964-68.

BOTTOM RIGHT 7.6 Queen’s College Tower, Dundee University, Robert Matthew, 1955-61.

headquarters building, Murrayfield, Edinburgh (1981–4); and many international planning projects in South America, Europe and the Middle East. Although the jobs were numerous and extremely widespread, as the practice evolved over the decades a basic ‘problem-solving’ philosophy was common to each commission. This approach to architecture not only engendered innovative building systems, such as the bespoke prefabricated structural system at Stirling University (1966–73) [see 3.9], but it also created a vocabulary that actually now defines Scottish Modernism with a clear thought for context and materials, exemplified in the tower blocks for Queen’s College Dundee (1955–61) 90 | SCOTLAND: BUILDING FOR THE FUTURE

7.7 , University of Edinburgh, Alan and later for the University of Edinburgh architects’ working in the service of Reiach and Eric Hall, 1963-66; unexecuted design (1958–63) [7.6 and 3.7]. The recent the state after the Second World War for extension, 1972. © RCAHMS (Alan Reiach Collection) deposit of the Robert Matthew Johnson- was already heavily engaged in the Marshall (RMJM) practice archive in redevelopment of Scottish towns and the Royal Commission on the Ancient cities in the late 1930s, with the end and Historical Monuments of Scotland of hostilities giving further impetus (RCAHMS) will enable students, to their aim of housing the nation. A architects and scholars to study the critical aspect of this thinking was breadth of the work from the 1950s to how Scotland’s values and identity the 1980s and will potentially contribute could be represented architecturally to a future thematic listing survey. while providing modern amenity and The generation of ‘planner- purposeful design. Many architects ARCHITECTS | 91

would launch their private practices and formed a practice which would 7.8 Notre Dame College residences, Bearsden, later in the 1950s following the produce a number of ground-breaking Gillespie, Kidd and Coia, 1969. © ’s Archives and Collections Centre achievements of their public work, and developments over the decades most private firms would take part (domestic, institutional and commercial) in the reconstruction boom. While with the assistance of George Macnab, employed by the Department of Health Eric Hall and, later, Stuart Renton [7.7]. for Scotland (DHS), Alan Reiach’s A variety of approaches were taken by (1910–1992) early research into many professional architects including, finding solutions to Scotland’s housing for example, Frank Mears and Partners problem was significant. He entered or Keppie Henderson and Gleave, with into partnership with the professional some – such as Wheeler and Sproson planner, Ralph Cowan, in 1951 of – specialising in attempts 92 | SCOTLAND: BUILDING FOR THE FUTURE

to revive Scotland’s , and with modern mechanics of teaching – either hand to any project, it is not surprising others – such as Ian G Lindsay and spiritual or pedagogical – saw them to find that some architects came to Partners, L A Rolland and Partners, excel in numerous commissions for specialise in certain types of buildings, Robert Hurd and Ian Begg – choosing schools and college buildings. Notre or, in retrospect, can be seen to have a greater focus on the conservation of Dame College of Education (later known excelled at them. The partnership of historic settings. The listing of post-war as St Andrew’s College), Bearsden James Morris (1931–2006) and housing developments has proved to be (1969) is not only nationally important, Robert Steedman (b 1929) (known elusive by the nature of their geographic but it also reflects the international as Morris and Steedman), from its extent and the large number of buildings trend in contemporary architecture inception in 1955, set a high standard or households that they may cover. when prestige architects were hired to for producing some of the best Indeed, a comprehensive thematic plan entire architectural environments private houses in post-war Scotland review in the future would greatly assist for many public institutions [7.8]. which demonstrated principles of the identification of individual architects’ Not only does the college relate to design based on how a house was contribution to this building type. other significant university campus ‘experienced’, with a less formal plan The work of Gillespie Kidd and developments in Britain, such as the founded on the division of public and Coia from the mid-1950s was largely ‘new’ universities, but it also shares private areas, the use of daylight and the product of the combined talents close similarities with internationally the interpenetration of exterior and of Isi Metzstein (b 1928) and Andy recognised structures such as Moshe interior space. Following a thematic MacMillan (b 1928) who started Safdie’s Habitat for Montreal’s Expo in survey by Historic Scotland of the working in Jack Coia’s practice 1967 and many of Le Corbusier’s later private houses of Morris and Steedman, in 1945 and 1954 respectively. designs for mass housing, including, beginning in 2003, 11 major examples Indeed, their contribution to church for example, the Unité d’Habitation in of this building type were reviewed and building is so great that it became the Marseilles. The influence of Metzstein then listed where the character of their subject of one of Historic Scotland’s and MacMillan in the history of Scottish original form was mostly preserved. earliest biographical thematic listing architecture is duly addressed in detail Some fine listed examples include: 32 programmes, in which, in 1994, the in other chapters in this book. Charterhall Road, Edinburgh (1962); pre- and post-war churches of Gillespie As the immense volume of work Scadlaw House, (1968–9); Kidd and Coia were reviewed. Their available in the first two decades Calderstone, East Kilbride (1964); and repertoire is, however, wide-ranging, following the Second World War Meadowland, Perth (1964). Avisfield, but a particular understanding of the allowed most practices to turn their Edinburgh, built for Dr Tomlinson in ARCHITECTS | 93

7.9 Avisfield, , Edinburgh, Morris and Steedman, 1955. Courtesy of RCAHMS.

1955, was their first commission buildings, including the prestigious regrettably lost after a fire in 2002 and demonstrated most clearly their headquarters for Salvesen’s along with [7.10]. In the 21st century this building indebtedness to their American and an adjoining group of executive flats would be the inspiration for a housing European predecessors Frank Lloyd in Edinburgh (1969); and, unusual in development in the same grounds by Wright, Richard Neutra, Philip Johnson, their repertoire, the Princess Margaret Malcolm Fraser Architects. Marcel Breuer and Mies van der Rohe Rose Hospital, Edinburgh (1960–68), Also from the 1950s, another [7.9]. Morris and Steedman were arguably one of the most influential architect began experimenting with responsible for a number of office post-war designs for a hospital pavilion, the workings of designing a modern 94 | SCOTLAND: BUILDING FOR THE FUTURE

Scottish house which would respond High house near Selkirk explore the sculptural properties of to its landscape. As with Morris for the textile designer raw concrete (béton brut). Some of and Steedman, Peter Womersley (1956–8) [7.11]; and his own house at the earliest examples of this style in (1923–1993) was likewise the subject Gattonside, called The Rig (1956–7). Scotland were particularly well realised of a biographical survey in 2006 with Womersley ran a small practice from at the Nuffield Transplant Unit for a number of his private and public the Borders, but would nonetheless renal surgery (1955) at Edinburgh’s buildings newly listed, including the make a name for himself with highly Western General Hospital (now altered Brutalist yet enigmatic Gala Fairydean individualistic, almost lyrical, designs considerably) [see 2.8]. Football Stadium, Galashiels (1963–4); for a range of building types which Not all the practices which have

7.10 Addtion to Princess Margaret Rose Hospital, Edinburgh, Morris and Steedman, 1960-8. © Morris and Steedman Architects Ltd ARCHITECTS | 95

7.11 High Sunderland, near Selkirk, Peter Womersley, 1956-58. shaped the architectural landscape architect has continued to flourish in the of Scotland will become the subject post-industrial age. While serving new of a thematic biographical survey, clients, such as housing associations, but it is important to recognise the or even corporate consortia capitalising diversity and the strength of Scottish on rising land and rate values, one professional talent that has thrived may still perceive the next generation from the boom of the early post-war of architects – Page and Park, Elder years. The 1970s saw the decrease and Cannon, Richard Murphy, Malcolm of public commissions and the Fraser, Gareth Hoskins, Nord, JM 1980s economic slump, coinciding Architects, RMJM, Reiach and Hall, also with the privatisation of national Bennetts, Hussey – whose corporations, and the new battle of body of work demonstrates a social ‘fee-bidding’ for jobs would see many conscience and an understanding of architects unemployed, leaving only the Scotland’s historic and contemporary big practices or the self-sufficient single- identity, but most of all has created architect office still standing. Despite exciting places to live, work and play in this temporary decline, the professional Scotland for today and the future. 96 | SCOTLAND: BUILDING FOR THE FUTURE Protecting Our Modern Heritage

St Columba’s, Glenrothes pattern of church and steeple. (1958-62) was a new church Eric Christie, Property Convener, for a New Town but it strongly accepts that the building presented echoed an older place of worship challenges for conservation but he says at nearby Burntisland. The that ‘getting the building listed was a architects, Sir Anthony Wheeler big move forward’. Historic Scotland and Frank Sproson, re-visited the helped with a grant of £125,000 and centralised plan of the earlier St the conservation architects, Gray, Columba’s (1589-96), which had Marshall and Associates, carried out daringly placed the worship space the works of repair and modification, in a square. At Glenrothes, the including an ingenious system of form of worship emphasised a secondary glazing which preserved the new, ‘inclusive’ approach to public character of the original windows. The assembly seen in many types of conservation architect in charge of the contemporary gathering places. works, Jocelyn Cunliffe, sought solutions Internally, the richness of a mural to problems that were ‘practical and painting by the artist Alberto achievable’. Jocelyn’s aim was to ensure Morrocco (1917-98) contrasts that there was ‘no damage to original with the simplicity of the church’s building fabric that remained’. Carol Modernist furnishings. The roof Gibson, Clerk to the Congregational ‘floats’ on a continuous clerestory Board, agrees that it has all been of coloured glass in a highly worthwhile. ‘The beauty has been Modernist manner but externally, restored to the building; we appreciate the building has a more familiar it now’. profile similar to a 19th century 98 | SCOTLAND: BUILDING FOR THE FUTURE

8.0 Protecting Our Modern Heritage

Protection

The post-war decades are of crucial importance for Scotland’s history. The nation’s architecture formed a key element of Scotland’s economic and social agenda and by studying and understanding the architecture we can gain a broad understanding of the period and its aspirations.

t is generally recognised that incredulity. The reasons for this lack Scotland had architects of world of appreciation are complex. They may Irenown in the Georgian and Victorian include the use of steel and concrete periods including Robert Adam, William rather than traditional materials, the Playfair and Alexander ‘Greek’ Thomson. poor maintenance and performance of The international importance of ‘modern’ buildings materials, and the Scotland’s early 20th century architects scale and dominance of multi-purpose such as Charles Rennie Mackintosh urban complexes. There is no doubt that is increasingly being acknowledged. It the period has its fair share of poorly seems reasonable therefore to believe designed and executed buildings and that this internationally important their physical and social legacy has been architectural tradition continued into costly. However, there have also been the post-war period. We consider that great successes. This is the heritage some of the buildings of this era are of of the future, and it is important to great significance and are deserving of consider how to preserve this legacy for recognition and protection. the generations to come. And yet, more than any other The recent exhibitions in Scotland period, when post-war buildings on the work of Gillespie Kidd and Coia are being considered for statutory and Basil Spence make a persuasive protection the general response is argument for the importance of one of surprise and in some cases their work on an international stage. PROTECTING OUR MODERN HERITAGE | 99

8.1 St Benedict’s Church, Drumchapel Road, Glasgow, Gillespie Kidd and Coia, 1964-70. © RCAHMS. Licensor www.scran.ac.uk

But there are other architects such as Peter Womersley whose work deserves far wider recognition. Regrettably it is often loss of a major example, or the threat of imminent and destructive change which sparks or requires the reaction to protect historic buildings. For instance, John Betjeman’s campaign in the 1960s against development plans for the Victorian St Pancras Station, London, is famous for its success in securing a listing and the preservation of the iconic building. Similarly, the demolition of Gillespie Kidd and Coia’s St Benedict’s Church, Drumchapel, 1964-70 [8.1], led to the crucial decision to give statutory protection to 17 of their other churches. At the time this seemed a bold move, but with the benefit of hindsight the decision was inspired. 100 | SCOTLAND: BUILDING FOR THE FUTURE

As a result, when we endeavour to list buildings from the post-war years the proposal is often received with some surprise by the public and media alike, both more comfortable with the time-assured stone mansion or familiar church. Post-war buildings were built at a time when energy was cheap and 8.2 St. James Centre, Edinburgh, Burke and Hugh Martin, 1964-70. plentiful, often without serious regard of © The Scotsman Publications Ltd. Licensor www.scran.ac.uk the consumption of resources implicit in the design and this, together with The intellectual challenge of A lack of understanding of the the relative speed of construction, has innovation, and the use of modern scope and cost of maintenance for left many with the view that they were materials and combinations, requires some modern buildings resulted in a built for obsolescence. Listing of course an open-mind as they have been lack of necessary servicing and often is in sharp contrast to this view and traditionally misunderstood by each created eye-sores. Early concrete was assumes long-term preservation. It is generation. This lack of understanding is created as a smooth material but late important to remember though that a compounded by the media which tends modern works were to some shockingly wide range of buildings and structures to concentrate on architectural failures rough, often board-marked with the have lives far beyond that originally rather than the many successes. impression of the timber shutters into planned. There were of course issues colouring which the concrete was poured still There is a perception that listing the period. The growing conservation visibly fossilised on the surface. These denies change but buildings from movement identified a planning blight board marks were as important to the the post-war period very often offer in megastructures which became 20th century architects as artfully- significant levels of flexibility in terms a symbol of soulless, mechanistic hewn rubble was to the Arts and Crafts of change for new uses. Finding a new crudity, as seen in the massive car designers, yet the Brutalist aesthetic use for St Peter’s Seminary, Cardross park and multi-function commercial which spawned them has often been (1966) is of course a more extreme centre of Edinburgh’s St James Centre imbued with the negative associations challenge than the average, in its (1964-70) [8.2] by Burke and Martin of economy, speed, experiment and bespoke complexity, but most can be which is likely to be replaced soon. failure. conserved, altered and adapted with PROTECTING OUR MODERN HERITAGE | 101

spectacular results [8.3]. St Benedict’s , Glasgow, by Gillespie Kidd and Coia, 1965, for example, has been altered to accommodate new use, creating a multi-purpose centre which allows the building to flourish as a landmark for the area and a work of art in its own right, while preserving the essential integrity and character of the building. In these days of sustainability the opportunities to keep buildings in use, rather than replacing them, makes increasing sense, both financially and environmentally. It is important to stress that listing 8.3 St Peter’s is not intended to preserve all buildings Cardross, plan of 1st in aspic forever. Listing identifies why cement used at Hill House, floor, Gillespie, Kidd and a building is significant and by doing of 1902). The challenges posed by Coia, 1966. © Glasgow School of Art’s Archives so helps inform the management of non-traditional materials are, like the and Collections Centre change and focuses attention on new reputed structural and functional alternatives rather than on disposal. failures of the period (notably the It is accordingly forward-looking and 1950s and 1960s), often over-stated: in tune with sustainable values. Much the conservation of new materials has work has been done on the technologies been tackled successfully over time and development of skills for post-war from Roman cement to Coade stone conservation though it is clear that and ferro-concrete. Historic Scotland’s conservation of the modern heritage Technical Conservation Group promote is not essentially different from pre- research in this area and provides war conservation concerned with a bank of information and source of new materials (such as the Portland expert advice. 102 | SCOTLAND: BUILDING FOR THE FUTURE

Selection

he selection of buildings of special architectural or historic interest Tfor listing in the post-war period follows the same criteria as those from earlier times, but with a rigour on account of their youth. A broader understanding of what was happening in the period and why, nationally and internationally, is necessary to give the buildings’ context and much of this remains new terrain, if with an exponential growth. We do not normally 8.4 Scottish Ambulance Service, Maitland Street, Glasgow, Skinner, Bailey and Lubetkin, 1966-70. list buildings which are younger than 30 years old in all but the most exceptional their place. For example, was the Each case is weighed against the circumstances. The former Cummins subject the first, the only, a watershed? criteria, each one often excels in key Factory (now Centrelink 5), Shotts, Architectural and historical interest is areas. The Scottish Ambulance Service completed in 1983 by Ahrends Burton considered against broad headings of in Glasgow’s Maitland Street, for and Koralek is the key example of this, technological innovation, use or quality example, by Skinner, Bailey and Lubetkin listed when it faced threat of radical of materials and craftsmanship, the (1966-70) [8.4] was listed not least change and the loss of its defining quality of the design, the significance of as the only known building designed in character [see 4.9]. There are currently the plan form, the building’s contribution Scotland by the renowned architect under two hundred post-war buildings to setting, and the importance within of the Penguin Pool at London’s on the list, a tiny percentage of the the building type. Any close historical Regent Park Zoo (c.1960), and for its nation’s built heritage and of the 1% of association on a national level is taken imaginative, expressive design, which this heritage which is listed. into account, provided it is documented boasts a largely intact interior with Historic Scotland considers the and the subject was more than a distinguishing features such as the case of each subject against the simple witness to the association. Our striking irregular triangular staircase principles set out in Annex 2 of the decision is normally informed by wide curved at ground level. Scottish Historic Environment Policy consultation with the owner, the local The British Homes Stores, Princes (October 2008). Age and rarity have authority and third-party experts. Street, Edinburgh, by Robert Matthew PROTECTING OUR MODERN HERITAGE | 103

8.5 St Columba’s Parish Church, Glenrothes, Wheeler and Sproson, 1958-62. Courtesy of RCAHMS.

Johnson-Marshall (1964-8), with the Edinburgh context, the BHS was the a listing can secure. Listing provides an Ove Arup engineers, was found to be first of the buildings proposed by the important check in the planning process a unique and innovative example of Princes Street Panel to provide a first- so that the holistic value of a property department store design after 1945 floor walkway, critically to separate the can be properly considered. Here it has [see 7.5]. The premises were tailored street’s pedestrian and roadway traffic. ensured the church can continue to as a flagship store, using exceptionally This interest led to listing to protect a bring multiple benefits and pleasure to high quality materials for the time. The singular and outstanding building of the its community [8.5]. building was conceived in the round period. with a roof top courtyard, all while Those working with St Columba’s retaining an innovative plan form and Church, Glenrothes have enjoyed the Scandinavian decorative schemes. In access to expertise and attention which 104 | SCOTLAND: BUILDING FOR THE FUTURE

End Note

There is a strong need for a greater awareness of post-war architecture in Scotland and for a broader debate. We hope that this publication will engage all of those with an interest, whether owners and developers, architects, planners, heritage professionals or the public at large.

here is growing evidence that the TOP RIGHT Tprotection and conservation of Hutchesontown C, Gorbals, Glasgow, post-war buildings can return a heritage Sir Basil Spence, Glover dividend, by giving new life to redundant and Ferguson, 1965. buildings, anchoring a sense of place © RCAHMS. Licensor www.scran.ac.uk and attracting investment and support

for regeneration. Major buildings from MIDDLE RIGHT the period (or components thereof) St Bride’s R C Church have already been demolished (see from the south-east, Whitemoss Avenue, montage) and rather than wait passively East Kilbride, Gillespie for the seal of popular approval when Kidd and Coia, 1963. many more may have been swept away, Tower demolished. we will continue to promote healthy © RCAHMS. Licensor www.scran.ac.uk debate and discussion about this

important chapter in Scotland’s history BOTTOM RIGHT and the architectural legacy that it Granaries, has left. Glasgow, L G Mouchel and Partners and A Thomson (engineer), 1967. © RCAHMS. Licensor www.scran.ac.uk END NOTE | 105

FAR LEFT Leith Fort, towers, Leith, Edinburgh, Shaw-Stewart, Blaikie and Perry 1957-63. © RCAHMS. Licensor www.scran.ac.uk

LEFT AND ABOVE Duncanrig Secondary School, East Kilbride Basil Spence and Partners, 1950-56. © RCAHMS (Sir Basil Spence Arvchive Collection)

BOTTOM LEFT Norco House, George Street, Aberdeen, Covell, Matthews and Partners, 1968-70. Enrance block demolished. Copyright: RCAHMS

BOTTOM RIGHT St Benedict’s, Drumchapel Road, Glasgow, Gillespie Kidd and Coia, 1964-70. Crown copyright: RCAHMS 106 | SCOTLAND: BUILDING FOR THE FUTURE

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Willis, P. New Architecture in Scotland, 1977. HISTORIC SCOTLAND

Historic Scotland is an executive agency of the . It is charged with safeguarding the nation’s historic environment and promoting its understanding and enjoyment. Listing recognises a structure’s special architectural or historic interest and secures its protection under law through the planning system. Listing is intended to inform the management of the historic environment to reinforce sustainable development and, from this greater understanding, serves to protect Scotland’s defining character and its sense of place.

Historic Scotland’s Inspectorate can be contacted at: [email protected]

Historic Scotland Inspectorate Longmore House Salisbury Place Edinburgh EH9 1SH

Tel: 0131 668 8600 FRONT COVER Hutchesontown B, Gorbals, perspective sketch of second development area, Robert Matthew Johnson-Marshall and Partners, 1958. © RMJM

BACK COVER The Scottish Poetry Library, Edinburgh, Malcolm Fraser, 1999. © Malcolm Cooper H1.575 The House 3/09 Produced from sustainable material Scotland: Building for the Future

Scotland: Building for the Future In post-war Scotland there was a belief among key decision-makers that the world could be made better by design. New homes, schools and churches – even entire new towns – could be planned, designed and built for the benefit of all. Modernism in architecture and design were closely linked with this widespread faith in reconstruction. Architects and architecture were at the centre of this national effort, as they had been for at least 250 years. Scotland had specialised in new towns and a ‘rational’ approach to development and improvement, and there is a strong echo of the work of Robert Adam and Edinburgh New Town in the ‘age of improvement’ of the post-war period. Scotland: Building for the Future Essays on the architecture of the post-war era

ISBN 978-1-84917-014-7 HISTORIC SCOTLAND

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