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Autumn 2010 No.28
AHSSTHE MAGAZINE OF THE ARCHITECTURAL HERITAGE SOCIETY OF SCOTLAND
For the Study and Protection of Scottish Architecture AHSSAUT10_rejig:AHSS 16/9/10 14:46 Page 2
2 introduction AHSS Welcome to the 2010 Magazine Autumn 2010 (No. 28) Autumn Issue
Collation: Mary Pitt and here can be little doubt that, in these troubled economic times, there is Carmen Moran greater pressure than ever for local authorities and government minis- Mark Cousins Reviews Editor: ters to support large-scale developments which may deliver benefits for The Dowager President: local communities. At the same time we have seen continuing drops in Countess of government funding for conservation-led work over the last 10 years and fur- Wemyss and March T ther announcements of central funding cuts will inevitably have a significant Chairman: Peter Drummond impact. Director: Laura Gutierrez Volunteer Editorial Assistants: Anne Brockington Against this backdrop the Society’s continuing casework role is more impor- Chris Judson tant than ever. There will be battles – perhaps very important ones – to be Jean Gowans fought around how we care for our historic houses, townscapes, monuments, Philip Graham and parks. The AHSS Council is discussing the re-emergence of the National Design: Pinpoint Scotland Ltd. Technical Panel as a means of exchanging information between groups, identi- fying in-house expertise on specialist topics, and putting forward the very best case for protection. NATIONAL OFFICE The Architectural Heritage Society We have to appreciate, however, that flexibility will be required. Heritage pro- of Scotland tection has always relied upon a carrot and stick principle; however, in the The Glasite Meeting House absence of grant support can we really wield the stick to the same extent? Very 33 Barony Street often property owners may have to consider greater alteration than was hither- Edinburgh EH3 6NX to the case in order to ensure that a building has a sustainable, long-term future. Tel: 0131 557 0019 Fax: 0131 557 0049 I am not suggesting for one moment that we relax our guard, but perhaps we Email: [email protected] need to focus much more on the wider strategic outlook. How often have we www.ahss.org.uk all seen important historic buildings lost completely, crumbling away whilst awaiting a new use or a sympathetic owner? A historic town centre ruined by Copyright © AHSS and contributors, 2010 the construction of a nearby superstore or shopping centre? The opinions expressed by contributors in this publication are not necessarily those of the AHSS. Many of the battles are won or lost at a policy level. We need to engage much The Society apologises for any errors or more with the local development plan process, pushing a positive case for the inadvertent infringements of copyright. importance of our built heritage in defining our environment and recognition of The AHSS gratefully acknowledges assistance the very real benefits which it can bring. At the same time, if our town centres from the Royal Commission on the Ancient and and redundant buildings are to be saved, then perhaps we have to be a bit more Historical Monuments of Scotland towards the flexible about what we consider acceptable. How often do we highlight the suc- production costs of the AHSS Magazine. cess stories, or work with applicants to identify new and exciting solutions to what are often very difficult problems?
The greater emphasis on pre-application consultation offers us an opportunity to work with applicants. In order to do so, however, we will need to look at where the balance lies – which fights are so important to our heritage that we have to stand and fight, and where can we be more flexible in recognition of these difficult times? Will we accept a radical scheme if it’s the only way of saving a building? Will we fight retail parks where they will reduce town centres to empty shells?
Difficult times lie ahead for all of us. To this end, now is perhaps the time for all the cases panels to work more closely. I would very much welcome the views of members as to whether we perhaps revisit the dormant National Technical Panel as a vehicle for closer co-operation, a clearing-house for policy issues and major campaigns where specific expertise or additional resources might be required.
In the meantime, I would like to welcome our new vice chairman Euan Leitch. Euan will be known to many of you through his work with Forth & Borders, amongst other things, and joins with a specific focus on casework issues. Welcome to the fray, Euan, and very many thanks indeed to his predecessor Cover: Our Lady and St Finnan RC Church, © Tom Parnell Euan McCulloch for all the sterling work he did for the Society in recent years!
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contents 3 Greetings from the National Office contents e hope you will enjoy reading the articles and reports contained in this issue of the magazine. As ever, we hope to present a picture of the 02 Introduction sector in these challenging times, as well as shareW the activities of our Groups and Cases Panels. We’re 04 The Glasite Meeting House pleased to welcome Craig Stirrat, who recently joined BEFS as Director –he shares his thoughts in this issue’s ‘Talking 05 News Point’. A familiar face in a new role, Elizabeth McCrone, the new Head of Listing at Historic Scotland, introduces us to 10 Heritage Lottery Fund her Favourite Building(s)’. 11 Projects We’ve been busy as ever, and our HQ, the Glasite Meeting The Picture House, Campbeltown House, has been just as lively! It has recently played host to two very different art exhibitions: the first installation was 13 RCAHMS by Thomas Aitchison, Tim LeBreuilly and Stephen Murray of The Royal Commission on the Ancient the Sunbear Gallery, as part of ‘The Annuale’, an art festival and Historical Monuments of Scotland coordinated by the Embassy Gallery. The second exhibition Edited by Veronica Fraser took place during the Festival, and was a site-specific exhi- bition in the McWilliam Room by Ingrid Bell and Jane 17 HS Policy and Listing Team Update Murray called ‘Kale and the Looking Glass’ (see the photo below). The McWilliam Room has also been rehearsal space 18 Other Organisations for a theatre company performing in this year’s Fringe Festival (Hamlet! The Musical –the jolliest sounding rendi- 30 Talking Point tion of Hamlet we’ve ever encountered). Also in this issue, My Favourite Building; Peter Burman, Director of the Glasite Meeting House Trust, How the West was ‘One’ shares the latest news from the Trustees regarding the future of the Glasite Meeting House. 33 Investigation We all hope you find the magazine interesting and inspiring! Educational Technical Models of Neoclassical Edinburgh Stonework All best wishes Reviews CARMEN MORAN & MARY TURNER 35 38 Education 41 National activities 44 Group activities 50 Group casework 55 Membership 56 Diary
CALL FOR CONTRIBUTIONS If you would like to contribute to future issues of AHSS magazine, please contact the editor at [email protected] Submission deadline for the Spring 2010 issue is 17 February 2011. If you are interested in volunteering as a copy-editor for future issues of the AHSS magazine, please contact the AHSS National Office. Jane Murray, ‘Kale and the Looking Glass’, 18-21 August, The Glasite Meeting House
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4 GMH The Glasite Meeting House – an update
s I write these notes I am con- aims who are engaged in heritage conserva- high heritage worth which is neverthe- scious that the Annual General tion or with the promotion of culture in less contributing to the rich cultural life Meeting of the Glasite Meeting Scotland. of Edinburgh and Scotland. We shall seek House Trust will be taking place the most appropriate non-profit organi- soonA and so I want to start by thanking the Our vision is that the organisations identi- sations as tenants and aspire to a reason- other members of the Board – Richard fied would share the space together in an able degree of continuity. Expert profes- Austin, Jocelyn Cunliffe, Jean Gowans, Simon atmosphere of mutual support, sharing not sional advice has been that we should Green (official representative of the AHSS) only space and services but also engaging in not expect a fully commercial rent. and Robert Robertson – for their enthusi- the market place of ideas and mutual sup- asm and commitment. I also want to thank port, working alongside the AHSS, and with We have reappointed Steve Newsom as our Carmen Moran and Mary Turner for their all parties benefiting from the fruitful nature architect and he has been exploring the fol- daily participation in the management of the of the support and the relationships which lowing aspects and is shortly to present us Glasite, dealing with everyone from glaziers would arise – much as at present with with his designs and his considered advice to double bass players on the spot, and to ICON, GHS in Scotland and SPAB in on such matters as permissions – planning our volunteer Emma-Fleur Grof, who earli- Scotland, but drawing the Main Hall into the consent, listed building consent and building er in the year reported progress under nine equation. Some readers will know the regulations; informal pre-application consul- separate headings. immensely successful example of 70 tation with the City of Edinburgh Planning Cowcross Street in London where Alan Department and Historic Scotland; means We had gradually evolved a framework Baxter & Associates provide space for such of escape, to be kept as low-key as possible; whereby we were tending to consult all organisations as the Garden History Society, the pews – we see no future in attempting members of the Board on the tiniest of SAVE Britain’s Heritage and the Twentieth to retain the pews in the building in their matters. This kind of micro-management is Century Society. That is our exemplar. present configuration but specimens of unnecessary and led to many e-mails and their joinery could be retained to form part extra work. So it has been decided that, Our overriding objective is to bring to an of an exhibition, ‘telling the story’ of the between meetings, most issues will be end an era in which the Main Hall has building and its various phases of use; reten- resolved between Jean Gowans as limped along through lack of investment by tion of the ‘pulpit ensemble’ – part of our Administrative Secretary and myself, as providing it with a new sense of purpose determination to retain as much as possible Chairman, with active consultation with and carrying out works which would make of the heritage value of the Main Hall and Carmen Moran and Mary Turner. More it fit for purpose. hence of the building as a whole; structural major matters will be consulted upon more repairs – necessary to replace the long- widely, which means bringing them on to Our guiding principles are as follows: term acro-props beneath the pulpit ensem- the agenda of our next monthly meeting. ble; a quotation for the production of an up- (i) As much as necessary to make the Main to-date quinquennial inspection report; A great deal of our time at these regular Hall useful in a flexible and attractive extra daylight – we do not wish to go down meetings has continued to be devoted to way but as little as possible so as to this route, as being too controversial and the developmental potential of the Glasite retain the full cultural value of the space too expensive and against our guiding prin- Meeting House. Thanks to the generosity of while accepting that certain elements ciples as set out above; artificial lighting, Robert Robertson we have been able to ask (e.g. raked floor, fixed pews) have to be which needs to be enhanced – Steve our architect, Steve Newsom, to prepare addressed in order to allow contempo- Newsom proposes a ring of lights above the detailed plans for a modest conversion and rary use. present chandelier and local lighting for some further repairs to the Glasite. We work stations or other purposes; ventila- have also been able to put in hand work on (ii) Provision for flexibility should be para- tion – which also needs to be improved; a a conservation plan and a business plan, mount – so, for example, work stations configuration of the space for a maximum building on all the hard work we did as a should be well designed in order to be of 12 people sitting at work stations, not group earlier in the year, not least in prepa- genuinely lockable with no visible com- anticipating that they will normally all be ration for an application for a generous puter screens and with adequate stor- there at the same time; lavatory accommo- grant that was being offered (but in the end age space so that if, for example, the dation – the present provision should be went elsewhere) which would have enabled Main Hall were booked for a book sufficient for the proposed expansion in us to use the Glasite more fully as a centre launch, a poetry reading, a recital or for numbers using the Glasite on a daily basis, for the performing arts, while retaining rehearsal space, then it could be re- though it may have to be improved; we do office use by the AHSS. Our revised aspira- arranged for that event without incon- not envisage removal of the existing floor tions have been debated and are now veniencing day-time users. but – if permission is forthcoming – cover- expressed as follows: ing it over with a new one, which would (iii) The Main Hall has to be a reasonable then be carpeted, which would also improve To provide shared space in the Main Hall of earner of revenue to enable the GMH to the acoustics; the improvement of the the GMH for organisations with charitable survive into the future as a building of acoustics, which is another of our objec-
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news 5 Castlemilk Stables Wins My Place Awards 2010
The inaugural My Place Award, a new it and in our opinion encompasses the national award scheme run by the Scottish spirit of “My Place”.’ Civic Trust and supported by the Scottish Government, has been won by Castlemilk Fiona Hyslop said: Stables, a beautiful and imaginative restora- ‘This exceptionally elegant and high-quality tion of the historic B-listed Castlemilk renovation has provided a social focus for House Stables Block, originally designed in local organisations. The success of the 1790. The award was presented on project shows how good design can make Monday 19 April at The Lighthouse in an important contribution to a local com- Glasgow by Fiona Hyslop, Minister for munity. The Scottish Government sees Culture and External Affairs. great value in our sponsorship of the Award because of the focus on communi- The project was designed by Elder and ties and on projects nominated by local Cannon Architects and nominated for the civic groups. These are the people who award by Glasgow Building Preservation really understand local needs and can ‘Old School Ties’, by Katie Orton for the Embassy Annuale 2010. Trust. Externally, much of the original recognise how projects have responded to building has been restored to resemble its those needs.’ tives, needs to be part of the project; it original appearance but internally, the will be important to satisfy ourselves architects have used an exciting and ele- Certificates were also awarded to the fol- that fire and alarm systems are fit for gant contemporary design. lowing projects: purpose in terms of the wider use of ● Infirmary Street Baths, Edinburgh, the building; heating – our understand- The judges for the award were Scottish Malcolm Fraser Architects. ing is that the present boiler dates from Civic Trustees Angus Kerr (Chairman) and Nominated by The Cockburn circa1991 and, while accepting the wis- Alistair Scott; Petra Biberbach, Chief Association. High Commendation dom of ‘If it ain’t broke don’t fix it’, we Executive of Planning Aid for Scotland; and ● The Causey Project, Arcade Architects. nevertheless think that we should Donnie Munro, Director of Development at Nominated by West Crosscauseway include in the project a new heating sys- Sabhal Mòr Ostaig Gaelic College in Sleat, Association. Commendation tem which would be much more ener- Skye. Nominations were received from ● North Queensferry Light Tower, gy responsible; AHSS archive material across Scotland by local civic societies, Gordon and Dey Architects, Ian no longer needed for regular use might preservation trusts and other bodies affiliat- Ballantine. Nominated by North be better deposited in the appropriate ed to the Scottish Civic Trust, which pro- Queensferry Heritage Trust. public records – advice is to be sought vides leadership in the protection and devel- Commendation on that through Simon Green; cost opment of Scotland’s built environment. ● Hippodrome Cinema, Bo’ness, The structure – Steve Newsom will advise Pollock Hammond Partnership. us on the probable costs of the project Speaking on behalf of the judging panel, Nominated by Scottish Historic as currently defined. Angus Kerr said of the project: Buildings Trust. Commendation ‘This is an outstanding project in all In recent months we have suffered respects and has obviously made a real View a gallery of entrants at some minor vandalism and damage –a impact on the local community with a www.myplaceawards.org.uk broken window and some new graffiti – bold and attractive architectural state- For more information about the but this is unusual, and the damages ment. It has obviously done wonders for Scottish Civic Trust call have been put right at relatively modest civic pride and took vision and persever- 01412211466 cost. ance to get it to the final stage. It feels or visit www.scottishcivictrust.org.uk airy and light and has a welcoming feel to Finally, I just want to mention what a delight it is that the redecoration of the Feast Room (Colin McWilliam Room) has led to a renewed enthusiasm for using it in ways which both bring in reg- News from the SVBWG ular and welcome income and also give us further experience of working The Scottish Vernacular Buildings Working Lanark, David Dale's remarkable complex towards our objectives. Group’s Autumn meeting for 2010 will of mill buildings and social welfare. Further take place on Saturday, 6 November 2010. details regarding the meeting can be found PETER BURMAN The meeting will take place at New at www.svbwg.org.uk
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6 news
Historic Environment Amendment Bill (Scotland)
Culture and External Affairs Minister, Fiona The Minister said: responses coming from a variety of heritage, Hyslop, has introduced the Historic ‘Scotland has a unique and irreplaceable his- conservation and planning bodies support- Environment Amendment Bill (Scotland) toric environment, which is intrinsic to our ing the changes. 2010 to Parliament. The Bill will amend sense of place and our strong cultural iden- provisions in the existing Listed Building tity. It plays a large role in helping to attract Dr Simon Gilmour, leading on the Bill with- and Conservation Areas (Scotland) Act visitors to Scotland and makes a significant in the umbrella body BEFS (Built 1997, the Ancient Monuments and contribution to the economy, directly gen- Environment Forum Scotland), welcomed Archaeological Areas Act 1979 and the erating 41,000 full time equivalent jobs and the draft Bill, highlighting that ‘members of Historic Buildings and Ancient Monuments making a £2.3billion contribution to BEFS strongly endorse the provisions set Act 1953. Scotland’s gross value added. out in the Bill, which will strengthen the ability to effectively and sustainably manage It aims to: ‘This Amendment Bill is about the nuts and our heritage. It will simplify processes with- ● Harmonise aspects of the listing and bolts of our heritage legislation. We know out weakening controls, and close some scheduling systems and align these sys- from our extensive consultation that the loopholes that presently allow unacceptable tems more closely with Scotland’s existing Acts generally function well, but as threats to the historic environment.’ modernised planning regime with everything, we can learn from our ● Improve the ability of central and local experiences over the years and update The Bill can be found at government to work with developers them. The Bill builds on what has been suc- www.scottish.parliament.uk/ and other partners cessful in the past and is accompanied by a s3/bills/43-historicenvironment ● Improve the capacity to deal with wider programme of change and renewal in Further information on the urgent threats and increase the effi- the way Historic Scotland undertakes its economic contribution of the historic ciency and effectiveness of deterrents day to day work.’ environment can be found at ● Help to ensure that Historic Scotland www.historic-scotland.gov.uk/ is able to meet the expectations of vis- A draft of the Bill went out to consultation 1409_heacs.pdf itors in the 21st century between May and August 2009 with
RIAS Award for Shetland Architect
The Royal Incorporation of Architects in ‘There are many prizes for architecture Award include Robert Steedman, of Morris Scotland (RIAS) has presented the distin- which recognise the qualities of an individual and Steedman, and the architectural part- guished Shetland-based architect Richard building but very few which celebrate a life- nership, Professors Andy MacMillan and Isi Gibson with its Lifetime Achievement long commitment to excellence in design, Metzstein, of Gillespie, Kidd and Coia. Award, the highest accolade within Scottish which is acknowledged in this award. architecture. Richard Gibson Architects has Recognition from your peers is perhaps the produced many well known restoration and greatest accolade anyone can receive.’ The citation delivered by conversion projects throughout the Neil Baxter, RIAS Secretary & Shetland Islands. Richard Gibson travelled from his home in Treasurer, can be read in full at Lerwick to Stirling to attend the RIAS annu- http://www.rias.org.uk/content/defaul Presenting the award at the RIAS annual al convention and told delegates he was t.asp?page=s2_22&newsid=3652 Convention at the Tolbooth in Stirling, RIAS ‘staggered’ by the award. Previous recipi- President David Dunbar commented: ents of the RIAS Lifetime Achievement
Future Secured for Aberdeen’s Tivoli Theatre
A Venetian/Gothic theatre in Aberdeen, guishes on the Buildings at Risk Register, watertight, and follows £400,000 of urgent designed by Charles John Phipps and James though its condition is described as ‘fair’. repair work carried out by the businessman. Matthews with later alterations by Frank Owner Brian Hendry has prepared a busi- Matcham, could be saved from dereliction ness plan for the forgotten edifice outlining Hendry will retain the auditorium and after a £520,000 grant was awarded by the how it could be transformed into a new stage in his £4million plan whilst opening Heritage Lottery Fund. mixed use venue for ‘the Granite City’. The up the possibility of incorporating a dance grant will be used by Hendry to construct a studio, rehearsal space, gymnasium or Tivoli Theatre is A-listed but currently lan- new roof and to make the theatre wind and function room.
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news 7
RICS Scotland announces Scottish Project of the Year
Roseisle Distillery in Moray has been The project’s quantity surveyors, Summers also scooped the Sustainability named Scottish Building Project of the Inman, entered Roseisle Distillery for the category award. Year 2010 by the Royal Institution of awards which were judged by some of Chartered Surveyors in Scotland (RICS Scotland’s top chartered surveyors and RICS Scotland Director, Graeme Scotland). property professionals. The annual awards Hartley, said: celebrate the best new buildings, ‘Roseisle Distillery is an impressive The new distillery is Scotland’s first for redevelopments or conservation projects property and absolutely deserves to be 30 years and is also the largest ever in Scotland across four categories: named Scotland’s Building Project of the built (3000 sq m), costing £40million. Sustainability, Building Conservation, Year. It has brought forward innovative The energy generated by the distillery’s Regeneration and Community Benefit. sustainability in a commercial environment £14million biomass plant (a separate and demonstrates an efficient use of project) is used to generate the steam The distillery secured the accolade in environmentally friendly resources and that charges the stills, and a water the face of tough competition from the techniques. Visually, the property is very reclamation plant recycles liquid for North Glasgow College (Community striking and is a remarkable wrapper for potable water. The whisky-making Benefit winner), The Old Schoolhouse the process contained within it. It also process determined the design, in Logie (Building Conservation makes a great attraction for both local and providing sections for mashing, winner) and Maxim Office Park in international visitors. Congratulations to fermentation and distilling. Motherwell (Regeneration winner). It everyone involved.’
Scottish Government Sustainable Housing Competition
As part of the Scottish Government’s can contribute to sustainable develop- The competition is an architect-led Scottish Sustainable Communities ment and the fight against climate ideas competition and is open to reg- Initiative (SSCI), the RIAS is managing change. istered architects. It is expected that a design competition based around architects will work with other design the SSCI exemplar site at Whitecross, ‘I look forward to seeing high-quality professionals of their choosing in near Linlithgow. The competition, and creative responses developed for order to develop designs in sufficient launched on Monday, 21 June 2010, Scotland. What is different about this detail for assessment by a judging seeks housing and urban design pro- competition is that designs, while panel. posals that combine high levels of sus- inspiring and innovative, must be real- tainability and reductions in carbon istic and commercially viable. A key objective of the competition is emissions with a sensitive response to Designing original and inventive build- the development of designs that com- place and context. ings that can be realised and replicat- bine innovative responses to sustain- ed is a vital element in supporting the able lifestyles with commercial viabil- It is expected that design proposals construction sector to deliver the ity. Architect teams invited to devel- will reflect a ‘new vernacular’ for low-carbon communities that op designs for stage two of the com- Scottish architecture that demon- Scotland needs.’ petition will be required to have a strates how environmentally sensitive developer involved in the team to designs might influence both the archi- The SSCI design competition is a provide information on costs and tecture and urban layout of contem- restricted competition, split into two marketability. porary development. stages. The initial stage of the competi- tion invites expressions of interest and Honoraria of £3,000 will be awarded Minister for Culture and External the completion of a pre-qualification to unsuccessful shortlisted bidders Affairs, Fiona Hyslop said: questionnaire (PQQ). taken forward to the design propos- ‘The design and development of sus- al stage. The winner will receive tainable housing is at the heart of The second stage will involve the £10,000. Following the announce- what this Government wants for com- release of more detailed information ment of the competition winner, the munities across Scotland. This design to a maximum of five shortlisted par- architect/ developer team behind the competition is an exciting opportunity ties. These parties will then be invited winning entry will be expected to for practices to come forward with to submit design proposals to be work with Morston Assets to devel- bold and challenging architecture that judged by a specialist panel. op the designs further.
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8 news Eight Scottish Buildings Win RIBA Awards
An unprecedented eight projects in director, producing award-winning work are still great buildings being built Scotland have been named winners in which can compare favourably with the throughout the country and overseas. the Royal Institute of British Architects best elsewhere in the UK and indeed in The RIBA Awards always give an oppor- (RIBA) Awards 2010. The winning proj- Europe. It is extraordinary, given the rig- tunity for gem-like small projects and ects range from private housing to hos- orous, and at times absurdly complex, less established practices to shine pitals and include a city centre hotel and procurement processes imposed upon through and this year is no exception. a major new sports facility in Aberdeen. our profession, that architects still man- Far from being a size prize, the RIBA age to devote so much energy and care Awards are for buildings that offer value ● Aberdeen Regional Sports Facility, to the creation of buildings which con- to people’s lives. Reiach and Hall Architects tribute to the wellbeing of communities ● Balnearn Boathouse, McKenzie and individuals.’ The RIBA Stirling Prize shortlist is Strickland Associates drawn from the 102 RIBA Award win- ● Hotel Missoni, Edinburgh, Allan This year’s Scottish awards were judged ners. The RIBA Stirling Prize, in associa- Murray Architects by a panel comprising the multi-award tion with The Architects’ Journal, is ● House on the Hill, Aberdeenshire, winning, London-based architect Simon awarded to the architects of the build- Paterson Architects Conder, the RIAS Lifetime Achievement ing that has made the greatest contri- ● Infirmary Street Baths, Edinburgh, Award-winning Professor Andrew bution to British architecture in the Malcolm Fraser Architects MacMillan OBE and David Dunbar past year. The prize will be presented at ● New Stobhill Hospital, Glasgow, PRIAS. The panel was advised by the The Roundhouse, London on Saturday, Reiach and Hall Architects RIAS Secretary, Neil Baxter. Overall, 2 October 2010. ● Small Animal Hospital, Glasgow, 102 buildings in the UK and Europe Archial Architects won awards (93 in the UK and 9 in the ● Trongate 103, Glasgow, Elder and rest of the EU). Cannon Architects RIBA President Ruth Reed said: Full details about the awards Announcing the awards at a ceremony ‘The RIBA Awards reflect not only the can be found on the in The Lighthouse in Glasgow on state of British architecture but also RIBA website: Thursday 20 May David Dunbar, RIAS that of its economy. In the midst of http://www.architecture.com/ President, said: the deepest recession in the 45 year NewsAndPress/News/RIBANews ‘There are practices throughout history of the RIBA Awards this year’s /Press/2010/2010RIBA Scotland, of scales varying from sole winners demonstrate that although AwardWinnersAnnounced.aspx practitioner to multi-disciplinary/multi- times might be hard for architects, there
New Light on Vernacular Architecture: Studies in Britain, Ireland and the Isle of Man
The University of Liverpool’s Centre for and the Isle of Man. The conference will approaches to the subject. Submission Manx Studies and Manx National be held at the Manx Museum in details and deadlines can be found on Heritage will be holding a vernacular Douglas. the conference website. architecture conference in Douglas, Isle of Man, from 22 – 25 June 2011. The Call for Papers has now been announced on the conference website: ‘New Light on Vernacular Architecture: www.liv.ac.uk/manxstudies/Vernacular If you would like to be added to Studies in Britain, Ireland and the Isle of Architecture.htm. More details about the conference mailing list, please Man’ will bring together scholars and the conference will be added in due email Dr Catriona Mackie at [email protected] practitioners from a variety of different course. The conference organisers disciplines to identify and encourage would welcome papers on all aspects of Enquiries can also be directed to new directions, new approaches, and vernacular architecture from within the this address or to new interpretations in the study of ver- British Isles, particularly those exploring 01624 695 777 nacular architecture in Britain, Ireland, new directions, interpretations and
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news 9 Small Animal Hospital A+DS Wins the RIAS Appoints Andrew Doolan Award 2009 New Chief Executive The Small Animal Hospital by Archial ‘There were five projects on the shortlist Architects has been awarded the RIAS which stand comparison with the best new Andrew Doolan Best Building in Scotland architecture anywhere in Europe: the Award 2009, with the judges highlighting Beatson Institute New Cancer Research Mr Jim MacDonald, formerly the the ‘unique and ingenious way it integrates Facility, Glasgow by Reiach & Hall Deputy Chief Inspector of Historic a very substantial medical facility within Architects; the Boathhouse at Balnearn, Scotland, has been appointed Chief the parkland setting of Glasgow Loch Tay by McKenzie Strickland Executive of Architecture + Design University’s Garscube Estate.’ Associates; the Infirmary Street Baths, Scotland (A+DS). Edinburgh by Malcolm Fraser Architects; The building was selected from a strong the New Stobhill Hospital, Glasgow by Karen Anderson, Chair of A+DS shortlist of 11 projects which represented a Reiach and Hall Architects; and the Small said: comprehensive range of building types, Animal Hospital, Glasgow by Archial ‘I am delighted that Jim MacDonald including two restoration projects and build- Architects. Scotland’s architects are cur- is joining A+DS at an important ings in both urban and landscape settings. rently producing work which is worthy of stage in its development. We had an international recognition. Let’s hope the impressive number of candidates for This year’s judges were Professor Andrew Doolan Awards are a major step in that the post of Chief Executive and Jim MacMillan OBE (Chair), David Dunbar direction.’ has all the right leadership skills and PRIAS, Ian Gilzean ARIAS, Professor background to take A+DS forward. Kathryn Findlay ARIAS and Ian Ritchie CBE David Dunbar, RIAS President noted: Jim will work within A+DS to take RIBA. ‘Architects are having a very tough time at forward our aims to promote good present. The recession has hit hard. This ‘place-making’, and better, more sus- Michael Russell MSP, former Minister for award demonstrates the fantastic quality tainable, built development in Culture, commented: that is being achieved by indigenous talent. Scotland. He will replace Trevor ‘I commend the quality of this year’s short- We are working with the Government and Muir, A+DS’s Interim Chief list which shows that Scottish architecture our colleagues among Scotland’s client Executive, who I would like to thank today is a match for the best international- groups and the construction industry to for successfully taking forward the ly. We are all operating in tough economic ensure that we support and retain this recommendations of last year’s times and it is vitally important for Scottish tremendous asset. The quality of review of the organisation.’ businesses and Scottish places to be associ- Scotland’s future built environment will ated with quality. The RIAS Andrew Doolan depend upon it.’ Mr MacDonald (44) is a graduate of Award celebrates quality in the profession the University of Edinburgh and and shows that architects and the places The winner of the RIAS Andrew Doolan UCL, London. He is an MPhil in they design are central to shaping a Best Building in Scotland Award receives a Town Planning and holds the Scotland in which we all can prosper.’ trophy designed by the glass artist Siobhan Diploma in Management. Prior to Healy and a cheque for £25,000. This makes joining Historic Scotland, he worked The chair of the judging panel, Professor it the richest architectural prize in the UK with Glasgow City Council, North Andrew MacMillan OBE, a close friend of and one of the most significant awards in Lanarkshire Council and the City of the award’s founder, said: Europe. The award is generously supported Westminster Council, London. ‘Andrew Doolan’s, OBE belief that this by the late Andrew Doolan’s family and by award would reflect the growing confi- the Scottish Government. dence of post-devolution Scotland has been borne out by shortlists which get better and better, year on year. While the Some news to Small Animal Hospital was the judge’s share? unanimous choice as winner, a number of Full details about the other buildings came very close. Scottish 11 shortlisted projects can be To feature your news in this architecture is in remarkably good heart.’ found on the RIAS website: section send your contributions to the editor at http://www.rias.org.uk/ [email protected] Ian Ritchie CBE, whose practice has offices content/default.asp?page=s2_8_1 in London and Paris, commented:
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10 heritage lottery fund Recent HLF Awards
Kelso Townscape Heritage Initiative Anstruther Scottish Borders Council has been awarded a been steadily in decline for a number of Townscape Heritage grant of £700,000 to implement a Townscape years. The project will deliver improvements Heritage Initiative in the conservation area in to the public realm, deliver building repairs Initiative Kelso. The scheme will aid the preservation and the restoration of architectural details, of the historic fabric and promote regenera- provide training and develop a Monument HLF has earmarked funding of £915,000 tion in an important town centre that has Watch scheme. and awarded development funding of £30,000 to Fife Council to develop a Townscape Heritage Initiative in the outstanding conservation area in Ayr Town Centre Townscape Heritage Initiative Anstruther. The picturesque coastal vil- South Ayrshire Council has been awarded a core of the town at the northern end of the lage of Anstruther was once described grant of £1,080,000 towards the implementa- High Street. The project includes a mix of by James II as ‘a fringe of gold on a beg- tion of a Townscape Heritage Initiative in the repairs to key historic properties at the head gar’s mantle’. However, a lack of employ- conservation area in Ayr, South Ayrshire. The of the New Bridge on New Bridge Street, ment has taken the shine off this cen- bid will focus on the ‘northern hub’ area of bringing vacant floorspace into use as well as turies old port and the poor condition Ayr, the key gateway located in the historic providing training initiatives. of some prominent buildings now blights the historic character of the town. The THI project aims to turn that around and inject a new vitality. Key The Coach House Theatre Conservation Project buildings, including the Hew Scott Hall, Alman Dramatic Club will conserve its club revitalised heritage and community asset, as St Nicholas Tower and Anstruther house and theatre, a circa 1901 B-listed for- well as enabling the secure storage, and Wester Town Hall, all of which are on mer Coach House, thanks to a £35,000 recording, of the costume archive. The com- the Buildings at Risk Register, would be grant. The grant will help the community pay munity driven project will also fully explore sensitively restored and transformed for the necessary repair works to provide a their building’s history. into a combination of community facili- ties and a music venue. Other buildings which would benefit include the Murray Library Building on the shore and the Lews Castle and Museum nan Eilean derelict Masonic Hall, which would help Comhairle nan Eilean Siar has been awarded be provided, establishing an archive service address the need for local low cost a first round pass of £2,400,000 with devel- for the first time and creating a potentially housing. Integral to the THI will be a opment funding of £240,000 towards the transformational hub and spokes model to programme of training opportunities development of the restoration of the A-list- support the remote community heritage for local people and businesses. ed Lews Castle, the creation of a mixed use sector in the Western Isles. The enhanced development comprising a high quality, pri- facilities will provide exhibition, archive, vately operated hospitality venue, and a 21st storage, conservation, learning and research century museum and archive service. The facilities on one site for the first time. In project will provide a new sustainable use addition, the project will offer wider regen- St Mary’s Cathedral, for a nationally important and vacant build- eration benefits by promoting tourism, pro- ing on the Buildings at Risk Register. A new viding high quality accommodation and cre- Aberdeen home for the Council’s museum service, will ating jobs. St Mary’s Cathedral in Aberdeen has been awarded a grant of £82,500 towards a programme of high-level St Margaret’s Church, Oatlands repairs to the B-listed building. Works Glasgow Building Preservation Trust has spaces with the most heritage significance include urgent works to the external fab- been awarded a first round pass of £578,300 will be open to the public and interpreted. ric of the cathedral, including repairs to with development funding of £71,700 The proposals aim to deliver skills training windows and dormers. The cathedral is towards the development of a project which courses and workshops for apprentices and extremely well used and is an important will restore and extend the landmark build- students during the construction phase. community asset and plays host to a ing in Glasgow’s East End. St Margaret’s There will also be opportunities for explor- number of community groups. Church is the sole remaining building from ing intergenerational links through a com- the 19th century development of Oatlands, munity oral history project. This project will The purpose of the Repair Grants for but is now derelict and on the Buildings at take place within the vicinity of the Clyde Places of Worship scheme is to fund Risk Register. The former church will be Gateway Urban Regeneration Company emergency high level repairs to listed developed as a valuable community facility area which is a priority area for HLF devel- places of worship to ensure that they are and business hub. Sections of the building opment work and a regional and national wind and watertight. The scheme is run will be let as local enterprise offices, whilst priority for regeneration. in partnership with Historic Scotland.
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projects 11 The Picture House, Campbeltown ‘Wee’ Pictures
he Picture House is a cherished building of international signifi- © Martin Hadlington cance; located on the water- front, it is known locally as the ‘Wee Pictures’ being the smaller of two cinemas originally located in the town.T Campbeltown is known locally as the ‘Wee Toun’. The larger cinema, ‘The Rex’, was demolished in the 1980s.
The Picture House is a central landmark, being of an unusual design with a bright red roof, contrasting with the adjacent Burnet Building and tenement building, both of which date from the late 19th century.
Built in 1913, it is category A-listed, and rep- resents a very rare survival of a cinema from the first great age of cinema building. The exterior and interior are of equal national importance. It is one of only 13 cat- egory A-listed buildings in Argyll.
The Picture House is an iconic building; for importance as one of the earliest surviving cinemas he designed that is still standing, nearly 100 years the Picture House has cinemas can scarcely be overstated’. and the only one still used as a cinema. been a dominant feature on the waterfront Albert Gardiner returned in 1934 to create in Campbeltown, remaining in its appear- Historic Scotland’s listed building descrip- a unique interior in the then fashionable ance modern to this day. tion states: ‘atmospheric’ style. Part of this work includ- ‘Stylistically, the building is highly distinctive ed the creation of two small fantasy theatre In The Buildings of Scotland: Argyll & Bute FA with a strong streetscape presence. The box-like structures on either side of the Walker stated: exterior treatment is Glasgow School Art auditorium. They are considered to be the No longer prim but still determinedly pert Noveau. The use of this style, including the only remaining examples of their type in and promenade-pretty; a priceless survivor. use of roughcast harl, is very uncommon in Scotland. This complete interior remains to Designed by Albert V Gardiner in 1912- cinema design. Its interior is of equal signif- this day; it is, however, in urgent need of 1913 and renovated by him in 1934-35, its icance. It retains elements of a 1935 “atmos- conservation and repair. pheric” refurbishment. These alterations show an important development step with- Gordon Barr, of the The Cinema Theatre © Martin Hadlington in cinema architecture by inserting atmos- Association stated in the AHSS Magazine, pheric scenery into the auditorium.’ Autumn 2009: ‘This is a very early purpose built cinema, In the short period before the First World and (before the re-opening of the Bo’ness War as many as 3,500 cinemas opened in Hippodrome) the oldest in Scotland still the United Kingdom. Very few of the early showing films. Alterations made by the orig- examples survive. Scotland is fortunate to inal architect in 1935 inserted fake plaster- retain a number of these. work buildings into the auditorium, making the building one of only two “atmospheric” The Picture House in Campbeltown has, cinemas remaining in Scotland. The style is however, been in continuous operation also exceedingly rare within a UK-wide since 1913, and has struggled through context. The auditorium remains undivided where the great majority of cinemas have with stalls and balcony. While many cinemas failed and the buildings lost. The building have formulaic façades, this one is a thor- survives due to the dedication of a small oughly planned composition, something number of directors, volunteers, a dedicat- even more unusual because of its early date ed projectionist and administration staff. The use of Art Noveau for cinemas is It was designed by the prolific cinema archi- extremely rare, and this may be the only tect, Albert V Gardiner. It is one of the few example within the entire UK.’
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12 projects
Picture House original photo from 1913. Worldwide Context The Lumiere Cinema in Pisa, Italy, appears to be the oldest, founded in 1905, with the first screenings taking place in 1905, and first offi- cial sound screening in 1906. The building was renovated in 2005.
The Korsor Theatre in Denmark was opened on 30 January 1907 and continues to this day to provide an essential ‘hub’ for the community.
The Pioneer cinema in Szczecin, Poland, was opened on 29 September 1909 in what was Germany at the time; this cinema also continues to operate.
Breitenseer Lichtspiele, Vienna: this was reported to be opened in 1905 but this is not definitive since the documents were misplaced in 1938. This could however be the oldest operating cinema in the world.
Sun Pictures, in Broome, Western Australia, is the oldest listed open air cinema dating from 1916. It is a very rare example of a purpose built picture garden still in commercial operation. In another quote Mr Barr said, ‘I think cine- The project will also upgrade the general mas are still undervalued; no town would infrastructure of the building, remodelling In the UK, the Curzon in loose its Victorian theatre, but the same isn’t the entrance foyer and converting and con- Clevedon, Bristol, is the oldest, the case for iconic cinema buildings... They’re necting the adjacent building. This will cre- constructed in 1912, remodelled part of our social and cultural history.’ ate new facilities, broadening the appeal of in 1913, extended and completely the Picture House, and will enable its long changed in 1922. The Picture House front elevation was term survival. Work will also include new repaired in 2006. In 2008 we undertook heating, lighting and digital projection, and of In Scotland, The Hippodrome in extensive work to the main auditorium course keeping the 35mm projection facili- Bo’ness opened on March 12 roof, the 1960s asbestos roofing was ty in order to show older films. 1912, and was altered extensively removed and new bright red ‘wiggly tin’ in 1926, 1930 and 1947. The added. This was indicated in the original MARTINHADLINGTON cinema continued until the architect’s drawings of 1913. New lead gut- Conservation Architect 1970s, and managed to survive ters were also formed at the junctions with until 1980 with bingo. Through the adjacent buildings, and the auditorium many valiant efforts the building ceiling insulated with natural wool insula- was finally saved in 2005 and tion. The next challenge is to repair the For further information the opened in February 2008. It now complete interior, which is intact beneath Picture House has a very has re-opened as a community the dark brown ‘artex’! The ceiling was orig- comprehensive website and can be cinema and venue. inally light blue and had Art Deco light fit- found at www.weepictures.co.uk tings from the 1934 remodelling.
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RCAHMS is the main repository of archi- team of volunteers to carry out a multi- tects’ papers in Scotland; it preserves these tude of tasks and Edward Taylor has a papers to encourage an appreciation of unique knowledge and familiarity which our architectural history and built environ- allows a particular understanding of the ment, to understand lost buildings and to material involved. The collection reflects inform future decisions and designs. his interest in education and tourism, with Drawings within the collection date from projects including work for the universities the 18th century until recent years and an of Aberdeen, Dundee, St Andrews and THE ROYAL COMMISSION exciting aspect of acquiring more modern Edinburgh; the Forestry Commission; and ON THE ANCIENT AND drawings is that one can communicate projects for the Scottish Development with the architect who created them. One Agency including Dundee Law restoration HISTORICAL MONUMENTS such example is Edward Taylor, who project and Biggar Museum Trust. This OF SCOTLAND worked in different aspects of the architec- article is his personal account of the inspi- tural profession, being an architect planner ration behind his architectural career edited by from 1986. Now retired, he gifted which produced the collection now held RCAHMS his drawings in 2009, and began by RCAHMS; it is an extract from a longer Veronica Fraser volunteering to catalogue the collection of paper which forms part of the Edward his material. RCAHMS benefits from a Taylor Collection.
Confession Time This issue of the magazine
presents the inspiration t is difficult to give up a lifetime’s obses- the art colleges of Scotland’s four cities sion. Architecture has been mine since had developed a mix of part-time and full- behind the career of that day in 1954 when my school librari- time education. My route into the profes- an handed me Vers une Architecture after sion began when I became an articled Edward Taylor, architect, I’d asked ‘anything about buildings?’ ‘Try apprentice in Dundee in 1955, just a year that - improve your French if nothing else’ after being infected by Corbusier! I was Isaid she. From then, I was reading, drawing lucky to get my apprenticeship with who recently gifted his and increasingly just gawping with interest Carver Symon & Ross and I was mustard collection to RCAHMS. at the amazing built world all around. That keen to get ahead in this exciting profes- was the start of this obsession. sion. I was brought down to earth by the Also, in a challenge to end of my first working week. I noted that Le Corbusier struck this note: architecture the white heat of technology was yet to members, some unidentified had a social as well as an artistic purpose. reach the office library, whose tomes of It was no longer only an academic study to technical information included one listing images are displayed in a be pursued by aesthetic amateurs. The pages of cast-iron horse troughs, but grad- architects of the 1950s and 60s were to ually I came to realise there were advan- request for information. have a part in remaking the war-damaged tages in being a humble apprentice. I was world, designing new housing, hospitals, introduced to a drawing board with a saw- and schools and universities. Slums were tooth edged tee-square and told to trace General comments or requests for removed and public services brought up to some drawings. Besides mastering the art information can be addressed to: new standards. ‘Industrial estates’ were laid of lighting the drawing office fire, taking tea out served by new arterial roads, and with into the boss’ smoke-filled room (Capstan Veronica Fraser higher earnings, car ownership grew. All Full Strength if you need to know) I was Royal Commission on the Ancient and this required co-ordination, and strategic sent out on surveys with the grizzled office Historical Monuments of Scotland physical planners, many of them also archi- draughtsman, first just to hold the end of John Sinclair House tects, cut their teeth on larger projects - the tape, but later as survey leader, with an 16 Bernard Terrace the New Towns. The welfare state needed even younger apprentice in tow. I learned Edinburgh an army of technicians, with architects quickly to ‘measure twice and cut once’ on EH8 9NX playing a growing role. site visits and to deal with the tradesmen on site with respect. I soon learned that Tel: 0131 662 1456 Education of young architects moved on in communicating by drawing, one of the Fax: 0131 662 1477 those heady days. The future seemed clear. most ancient of all the arts, implied know- e-mail: [email protected] The student recruitment net widened. ing that what you drew had to be under- Apprenticeships, with their technical col- standable to others, to be built by them. Please visit the RCAHMS lege evening classes, made way for a more Otherwise, in a busy office you could website at: www.rcahms.gov.uk concentrated system. By the late 1950s become rapidly redundant.
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I moved on into full-time education in 1959 at the School of Architecture, Duncan of Jordonstone School of Art. I found encour- agement in College to develop my own design capabilities, something lacking in the tradition- al office I had just left. I enjoyed taking a ‘pro- gramme’, carving out a self-generated brief, and designing to fit the needs. Of course there were flaws in a process that bore only slim relation to reality. Perhaps the most relevant part of the College design-led approach was that it taught students good powers of com- munication through drawing, although the School applied pragmatic disciplines. If we could not detail our buildings (‘1/2" details, laddie’) so that, in theory, they could be built, we were given a ‘Fail’. We all went through the trials of the staff ‘Crit’, an experience School of Architecture, Duncan of Jordonstone College of Art, Dundee, Final Year, 1962 which could be brutal. Most of us understood Edward Taylor on extreme left. (Supplied by Edward Taylor) the need for rigour and Dundee was well known for producing employable graduates. ters, submitted in Spring 1963. My design cycles, they would sponsor an architect, an won the competition and I found myself engineer and a quantity surveyor with travel I graduated in summer 1962 and joined the pitched into the role of project architect, and some subsistence costs to locate in office of Baxter Clark and Paul. It was anoth- travelling to Edinburgh regularly to meet either city. This was to be the first year. To er welcome wake-up. Just round the corner with Livingston’s Chief Planner, Peter Daniels my amazement and a little alarm I was sum- from my apprentice office in Tay Square, and his team, to start, and finish, the scheme moned to an interview in the Company’s BCP’s was infused with camaraderie, liveli- design process. Work began late in 1963 on sumptuous boardroom, Penny Lane, the City. ness and opportunity. I was amongst a hand- the Livingston Village site. In days before the ful of recent graduates who were noisily Forth Road Bridge travelling to the site The setting was intimidating, a beautiful high busy in the office basement. Most of the meant using the train from Dundee, and panelled room, with filtered sunlight, four or work of the office was local authority hous- cadging a lift at Waverley to Livingston from perhaps six interrogators with their backs to ing, very ably led by partner Bob Black who my liaison architect, Alan Brown. the light and me sitting opposite on a pol- became a leader in raising the standard of ished mahogany chair across a polished housing design in Scotland. I had minor It was around Autumn 1964, while scanning mahogany table. I knew instantly I had no involvement in the housing work, although the back pages of the Architects’ Journal, I chance, sitting there in my ‘Man at C&A’ suit, my college thesis had been on that subject. I noticed an announcement by The Worshipful but as their enquiries gathered pace, I began was there barely a year when I got a chance Company of Carpenters, City of London, and to realise they were groping for an idea. to prepare drawings in a limited contractor- the Carpenters’ Company in Philadelphia. What did applicants want to study or other- partner competition. A previous competi- Both were remnants of guilds established in wise spend their time on in Philadelphia? For tion for Bearsden Town Hall had come to colonial times by William Penn. They had me there was only one answer. I wanted to nothing. This next project was for Livingston decided to set up an annual exchange schol- work, and I wanted to work with Louis I Development Corporation’s new headquar- arship whereby, alternatively over three year Kahn. Then I realised they had never heard
Perspective drawing of Livingston Development Corporation Headquarters, 1963 View of Livingston Development Corporation Headquarters, circa1968 (Supplied by Edward Taylor) (Supplied by Edward Taylor with thanks to West Lothian Council Archive Service)
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of Kahn, but I babbled on with fervour was irresistible, to see my parents (I was about his buildings, his fame with young an only child) and to (eventually) marry Can You architects, and when I dried up they went my girlfriend Evy whom I‘d met in art into a huddle, told me the interview was college. over, and they would ‘let me know’. I gave Help? thumbs down to three other applicants I therefore returned to Scotland and still waiting in the hall outside. A few applied for a post I’d seen in the AJ weeks later I received a letter. They had (again!) and started in January 1966 in made enquiries, and indeed Kahn was a the Architecture Research Unit in the CAHMS has recently acquired prominent architect, and what was more, University of Edinburgh. Under Kahn two remarkable new reports, he was willing to take me on, sight research in architecture was akin to a produced by the Local unseen, as a ‘draftsman’. religious experience, certainly a philo- Government Board for sophical one. In Edinburgh, the spiritual RScotland. Provision of Houses for the I spent that year (1965) drawing for long home of the Enlightenment, research Working Classes after the War, a memo- hours in Professor Kahn’s Walnut Street was a more earthly exercise. The idea randum of 1918, offers advice on the lay- office. I was put onto final drawings for that society could be forensically stud- out and planning of housing schemes for the ceremonial north entrance of the ied, that social scientists could be part an architectural competition arranged in National Assembly building, Dacca. This of a design team alongside engineers, consultation with the Institute of was the largest of three projects on the quantity surveyors and architects would Scottish Architects. In 1919 the results Indian subcontinent by the office and a have been near anathema in the USA, of the competition are recorded in daunting challenge. Kahn’s office was but the Unit employed social scientists. Housing of the Working Classes in Scotland: structured on the atelier pattern. He The ARU was originally called the selected plans and designs of some of the would tour assistants’ drawing boards, Housing Research Unit. Its revised title successful competitors. Together these charcoal stick and a 10" roll of yellow implied a wider remit, but housing reports illustrate government and archi- flimsy tracing paper in hand, sketching research was still forming the bulk of tectural thought in early 20th century over whatever work had been done the work. After spending a year in an Scotland on the subject of housing the since his previous visit. Each sketch office functioning like a 19th century general population and give an insight attempt was a kind of ‘stream of con- Beaux Arts atelier, I found myself with into the promised reconstruction of sciousness’ doodle, and sometimes the groups of earnest professionals dedicat- society after the First World War. master would wander off, leaving the ed to improving the quality of the ‘built recipient enlightened, or other times, baf- environment’, specifically the part that Among the millions of images held by fled. Kahn worked harder than any per- was mostly composed of local authority RCAHMS, there are inevitably some son I have ever known. His time as a housing. which have not been identified. They may great architect came late; he was in his be the only unidentified images within a 50s before he gained patronage by any The Unit, an offshoot of the University’s photograph album, or be part of a collec- significant client. Fame had been hard Architecture Department was run by its tion where the building or site names are won and he was ferocious in his pursuit Director, Charles Robertson. Sir Robert given for some, but not all the images. of the Platonic ideal of form. He seemed Matthew was the Professor at that time. Sometimes, through a process of deduc- more than a little ‘out of his time’, not Projects brought in fees, intended to tion by staff or volunteers, or simply commercially successful (the office was make the Unit self-funding. Initially I through a lucky coincidence, a view of a barely profitable) but timeless in his became involved in a team led by archi- house, church or factory may be identified quest, building by building, to find a pure tect Duncan Stirling, fully engaged in a and attached to its relevant site on the architecture. He engendered devotion housing project for Sunderland Borough Canmore database. A few such unidenti- from those who worked any length of Council. By late 1966 another project fied images are presented here to tap into time with him. His buildings are never came in; the London Borough of the knowledge of AHSS members; if any- banal, and most of them are amongst the Lambeth had a ‘problem’ site. Ted one recognises these buildings, please most beautiful of any built in the 20th Hollamby, the Borough’s Architect contact Veronica Fraser at the address century. It was a great privilege to meet Planner, who knew Matthew from the old below. We would be delighted to hear of and work for the man, and absolutely LCC, hired the Unit to study housing lay- any positive identifications. exhausting. out options. This became the Flaxman Road project which evolved, through fea- Veronica Fraser My scholarship year was coming to an sibility studies and various test scheme Royal Commission on the Ancient and end and I had to decide on my future. I designs, to become an occupied develop- Historical Monuments of Scotland had met Ian McHarg, Professor of ment by 1972; I led the design team John Sinclair House, 16 Bernard Terrace Landscape Architecture at the University throughout. By 1973 I had left the ARU; I Edinburgh, EH8 9NX of Pennsylvania, and after interview I moved into planning, then to work in a was kindly offered assistance with funds national agency, finally setting up my Tel: 0131 662 1456 for the first semester of his postgradu- office as an Architect Planner in 1986. Fax: 0131 662 1477 ate course from January 1966. I extend- The obsession carried on - with more e-mail: [email protected] ed my visa to 1968, but the call of home questions than answers.
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1: Taken from a number of loose photo- 1 graph album pages, this image shows a loch or riverside house. As well as the house party, one sees the servants standing beside the interesting example of fencing. 2: A view of a house, the style of which suggests Leslie Grahame Thomson MacDougall, probably situated in Argyll. The steeply climbing land behind the house makes a very distinctive site. (Inglis Collection). 3 (a, b, c): This group of photographs shows a substantial country house, its stable block and gatelodge. View of unidentified gatelodge. All images Crown Copyright: RCAHMS.
3a
2
3b 3c
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HS listing 17 HISTORIC SCOTLAND LISTING AND POLICY TEAM UPDATE
elebrating our historic environ- If you missed our 2009 conference ‘Scotland: ment is a key part of Historic Building for the Future’, where a series of Scotland’s work. The listing thought-provoking talks and an afternoon of team is committed to explain- discussion sought to provide a steer on the ing why our built heritage is protection of our post-war heritage, the important and in June we launched a new transactions are now available to download Cpublication surveying the nation’s hydro- free from the websites noted above. We electric heritage. Power to the People: the built have also launched the first in a new series of heritage of hydroelectric power was officially PDF booklets on Scotland’s architects. launched by Culture Minister Fiona Hyslop Volume one looks at the work of Morris and at our conference on the subject in Perth. Steedman and is available on our corporate We have been working in partnership with website at www.historic-scotland.gov.uk. various power suppliers for the last year and a half to carry out a nation-wide survey of Other projects underway this year include hydroelectric power. The survey visited working in partnership with the National some 350 sites across Scotland and consul- Trust for Scotland to carry out a resurvey of tation is currently underway on proposed their properties and we are also looking at additions to the list of buildings of special beginning a study on the town art of architectural or historic interest. The publi- Glenrothes and Livingston. Our resurvey of cation celebrates the huge contribution of Perth continues with part three of the city Scottish architects and engineers to the centre being assessed in 2010-11. nation’s hydroelectric heritage and presents the history of the sector through the eyes of We will provide greater detail than previous- some of the key individuals involved. This ly existed on the list of buildings of special Fiona Hyslop, Minister for Culture and External Affairs includes the engineers who developed the launches the publication. © Crown Copyright architectural or historic interest for the first large scale schemes and the architects National Trust for Scotland and we will also who designed the iconic buildings that grace identify any new candidates for inclusion. the Highland glens. The book also looks at This will ensure that the Trust has up to date the visionaries who saw hydroelectric power information about the special interest of as an opportunity for social re-invigoration structures across their estate. in the Highlands and were committed to providing power to even the most remote We have selected Culzean and Brodick to be corners of the Hebrides. You can download a pilot areas for the resurvey and work has free copy of the book from: already begun. Once we have a formalised www.celebratingscotlandsarchitecture.org, strategy in place we will look at rolling out as well as our corporate website, or request the resurvey across all the Trust’s properties. a hard copy of the book from the Listing Power to the People: the built heritage of hydroelectric power Team on 0131 668 8701/8762. front cover. © Crown Copyright The category A-listed Camellia House at Culzean. © Crown Copyright AHSSAUT10_rejig:AHSS 16/9/10 14:47 Page 18
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The Listing Team has received a number of propos- Latest news from als recently to consider post-war sculpture for list- ing. Proposals have been received for town art both in Glenrothes and Livingston. In order to gain an Planning Aid for appropriate overview of the subject to inform future listing decisions we are considering beginning Scotland this thematic project by looking at the town art in Glenrothes and Livingston. he second quarter of 2010 has been an exciting time for Planning A recent phase of restructuring within Historic Aid for Scotland (PAS). We have been in the media talking about the benefits to developers of involving people and we have been Scotland has resulted in some significant changes reachingT out to new sectors and excluded communities. both within the Inspectorate and our Policy Group. Of these, one of the most important is the transfer of the Investments and Projects Team to Planning is about enabling people to shape their own neighbourhoods the Inspectorate, which brings together within the – not just about objecting. With this in mind we are particularly one group the historic buildings and archaeology pleased with the mentoring scheme, working with Councils for grant teams. In addition, responsibility for climate Voluntary Service (CVS) to help community groups develop small wind change issues now sits with our Conservation turbines, allotments, community centres and any other local assets. Group, which is well placed to address the oppor- tunities and challenges presented by traditional PAS staff have been out and about around Scotland training people in buildings as rainfall and temperatures in Scotland planning and selling the message about the benefits of involving peo- continue to increase. Another change in the wider ple. Chief Executive, Petra Biberbach, recently spoke at the Scottish Agency is the transfer of our Conservation and Auto Cycle Union event, where delegates heard how planning affects Maintenance team, who were formerly within our off road motor biking. Petra also gave evidence in Parliament on the Properties in Care section, to our Conservation new inquiry into transport and planning. Group. Robert, our Senior Development Officer for Volunteering, attended a The organisational change has also created what is seminar Supporting Planning Graduates and David, Senior Planning now our ‘Policy Unit’, which works directly with the Officer, took part in a Scottish Government Development Management Chief Executive, Ruth Parsons. Within it there is a Forum. I attended the new cross-party group on volunteering and the specialist team devoted to the Historic Environment voluntary sector, and a community consultation event organised by a (Amendment) (Scotland) Bill. This is a piece of legisla- housing developer. We are also getting more involved in the housing tion designed to amend certain aspects of the exist- sector and recruiting new corporate members. ing laws relating to listed buildings and ancient mon- uments, including provision in relation to unautho- Enquiries to PAS’s free planning advice service increased by 16% since rised works, powers of enforcement in connection this time last year, reflecting our publicity work and the quality of the with such works, offences and fines, and liability for service. Our client satisfaction feedback suggests that 95% are happy the expenses of urgent works on listed buildings. with the advice. In addition we announced a change to the advice eligi- Other elements of the bill include making provision bility criteria to reach out to those who most need planning advice, now for the inclusion in the legislation of inventories of including, in some cases, social enterprises, development trusts and busi- gardens and designed landscapes and of battlefields. ness start-ups – recognising their vital roles in economic growth. If all goes to plan, it should receive royal assent in early 2011. We held our first public debate, in Dundee, in June, chaired by PAS Patron, Lesley Riddoch. PAS recently added to the events portfolio Other work currently being pursued by the Policy with a series of new awareness-raising talks throughout Scotland to Unit includes an update of the Scottish Historic promote our services. We also held a high-profile training event around Environment Audit (due out in Autumn 2010), and the planned Leith, Edinburgh biomass scheme. The PAS AGM is coming the introduction and promotion of Gaelic in the up this September, open to all, so please do book your place now. work of Historic Scotland, which recently involved the introduction of bi-lingual versions of our logo. In addition, we have been conducting a review of Individuals or community groups who want free planning the way we manage World Heritage Site issues, and advice can call our helpline on 0845 603 7602 and anyone can are in the process of drafting a policy for World use our website for planning information at: Heritage Sites which will be incorporated into a www.planningaidscotland.org.uk, as well as finding us on revised SHEP (Scottish Historic Environment Twitter and Facebook. Policy) in 2011.
ELIZABETHMCCRONE DUNCANTHORP Head of Listing Marketing and Communications Officer Historic Scotland Planning Aid for Scotland
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other organisations 19 Maryhill Burgh Halls ‘The burgh of Maryhill presents few attractions to the rambler in search of the picturesque’
hile the description of to design the Baltic Chambers in Wellington Small –run by Stephen Adam, one of the Maryhill above comes from Street in Glasgow), and opened in 1878. foremost practitioners of the art at the the Glasgow Herald of 1878, The buildings initially comprised the Burgh time. His Maryhill windows are quite many might consider it to be Halls, offices for the police commissioners, stylistically unusual –compared to both equallyW true today. But when you start to and a police station incorporating ‘15 cells, other stained glass of the period, and other look more closely, and despite the best four of which have been specially designed windows on a similar theme, they stand efforts of Glasgow’s town planners to for the accommodation of “drunks”.’ The alone. destroy much of its built heritage in the site was later extended by adding a fire 1970s, Maryhill has retained a surprising station (incorporating a tenement above for The stainedglass windows number of historic and architecturally sig- the firemen to live in) and, later still, a nificant buildings, from Mackintosh’s complex of baths and washhouses. All are Stephen Adam’s studio was situated in St Queen’s Cross Church and Ruchill Church now listed buildings. Vincent Street, coincidentally the same Halls, to JR Rhind’s Maryhill Library, and the street where the architect of the Halls had scheduled monuments of the canal and Maryhill is very much a product of the canal his practice. It is assumed that the windows aqueduct over the River Kelvin. But the that runs through it. While other industrial were commissioned as part of the original jewel in the crown of Maryhill is probably areas of Glasgow are famous for one building design, but much of the relevant the unique complex of listed municipal particular type of industry –shipbuilding in paperwork is sadly missing from the buildings around the junction of Gairbraid Govan, or locomotives in Springburn, for archives. Avenue and Maryhill Road –with baths, example –what made Maryhill unique was washhouses, fire station, police station and, the enormous range of different industries The realism of the portrayals of the especially, the Maryhill Burgh Halls and their that sprang up in a relatively small area industries and trades in the Maryhill unique series of stained glass panels created along the Forth and Clyde Canal. Over 40 windows is in marked contrast to Adam’s by Stephen Adam. different manufacturing industries were other stained glass treatments of similar reported as being active in the Burgh at the subjects. His windows for Glasgow City Maryhill became an independent Burgh in time the Halls opened in 1878. Chambers (1882-90) include depictions of 1857. The town grew rapidly, and the workmen, but these are portrayed in original municipal buildings quickly became High up in the main hall itself, hung on the classical clothing and poses; at Aberdeen too small for requirements. As a result, the 20 square hall windows, were Trinity Hall (1893), the figures are shown in police commissioners ‘resolved to provide ‘representations of the various trades and Biblical and medieval settings; and at the the community with municipal buildings and manufactures carried on in the burgh’. This Clyde Navigation Trust Building (1905-08) public hall accommodation suitable to the simple description is one of the few the industries are represented by classical wants and requirements of the burgh’. contemporary published references to nymphs or goddesses and the workmen and what could be considered the hidden crown traders at the docks are shown in late- The resulting complex of buildings, at the jewels of Maryhill –the 20 stained glass medieval/Renaissance clothes. corner of Maryhill Road and Gairbraid windows showing many of the industries Avenue, was designed by the Glasgow- and occupations of the area. These were In contrast, the windows at Maryhill all based architect Duncan McNaughtan (later commissioned from the studio of Adam and show the workers in their contemporary
Glassblower Blacksmith Calico Printers Stained glass images © Glasgow Life, on behalf of Glasgow City Council.
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Engineers everyday working clothes, not dressed up The restorationproject and or stylised. They represent a range of the future different occupations, from the traditional (joiners, blacksmiths) to the industrial (iron The Halls have been out of full-time use for moulding, gas workers) to the professional quite some time. Derelict and empty, various (a teacher in his classroom, and soldiers at projects to regenerate them have been Maryhill Barracks). Unusually, two of the started over the years, including the use of panels also feature women workers (calico some of the space as business units and printers and linen bleachers). recording studios in the 1980s –Wet Wet Wet did some of their first studio recording The panels were clearly created from sessions in the Burgh Halls! Since 2003, the drawings done from life –the level of detail complex of buildings has been featured on in the windows is astonishing. In the Joiners the Scottish Civic Trust’s Buildings at Risk panel, a shelf in the background has chisels Register. The Maryhill Burgh Halls Trust was hanging up, while curled wood shavings formed to try to raise the money and run
scatter the floor; the Railway Workers Stained glass images © Glasgow Life, on behalf of Glasgow City Council. the project to bring the Halls back into use features parcels addressed to recipients in at the heart of a living, working building. Paisley and London. The Canal Boatman even has a patch sewn onto his trousers at Major community consultation exercises the knee! were done in 2002, 2005 and 2008 (including surveys, exhibitions and open The glass panels provide a fascinating days), with presentations made to local glimpse into the social and industrial Community Councils, Housing Associations heritage of the area, giving information on and other community organisations. The working clothes, footwear (wooden clogs Trust also worked, through Space for the women working in very wet Unlimited, with groups of young people conditions) and headwear (Glengarry from the two local secondary schools to bonnets, rather than flat caps), and a develop their ideas on how young people reminder, when looking at men pouring could better access the Halls. molten metal or working in a sawmill with Railway Men little or no protective clothing, of the The stained glass was removed from the The plans drawn up by JM Architects had to relaxed attitudes of the time towards health building in the 1960s, and has been in the balance a complex series of requirements: and safety. care of Glasgow Museums ever since. One meeting the wishes of the community and panel was on display in the People’s Palace what it wanted to see the Halls used for, with Research into which businesses were until recently, but most of the others have a need for the building to be financially self- operating at the time has allowed the lain unseen in storage for over 40 years. supporting once it was up and running. At location of many of the panels to be The opportunity to return the stained glass the same time, they had to square working established; and in a few cases educated and have it displayed once again in the Halls within a series of listed buildings, all with guesses can even be made as to the has provided a unique selling point and different floor levels and different sizes, with particular individuals portrayed. The focus to the campaign to restore and re- the need to provide large flexible, accessible Boatbuilder is at the Swan & Co yard at open the buildings as a community facility. spaces. Kelvin Dock on the canal (a swan motif appears on the boat itself); the detailed drawing of the spire of Maryhill High Free © JM Architects Kirk in the background allows the Canal Boatman to be placed quite exactly, walking his horse across the aqueduct above Maryhill Road.
The Engineers panel is most likely set in the Maryhill Engine Works at Lochburn Road, built in 1873 for the Clarkson Brothers. It’s possible that the bearded figure, explaining to the workman with the spanner the requirements of the job, is either John or James Clarkson. Uniquely amongst the factories depicted in the panels, the building that housed the old engine works is still standing, just around the corner from the Burgh Halls.
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entranceways to the former fire station, now complemented by new feature gates commissioned from sculptor Andy Scott, showing firemen in period garb and equipment. A second set of gates for the exits from the halls on Maryhill Road has been designed by John Creed, and will be installed once the scaffolding comes down.
Funding to a total of £9.2 million was raised, from the Scottish Government’s City Growth & Town Centres Regeneration, and Housing and Regeneration Directorate Funds, the Heritage Lottery Fund, the Big Lottery Growing Community Assets Fund, Big Lottery Fund Scotland’s Chair, Alison Magee, and committee member Helen Forsyth toured the site and met two of the apprentices taken on as part of the project, shown holding a replica of one of the stained glass panels © European Regional Development Funding, Maryhill Burgh Halls Trust Glasgow City Council’s Better Glasgow and Vacant and Derelict Land Funds, Historic As a result, the Burgh Halls is being could not be practically adapted, so this Scotland and The Robertson Trust. developed for mixed usage – that is for building, apart from its street facade, was community, third sector, public sector and demolished, allowing for a new building to Building work on the Halls is now well business usage. The Trust aims to maximise be created behind it, wrapping around the underway, and due for completion in June the community usage of the building, main Hall building itself, creating a generous 2011. When it re-opens, the centrepiece of supported by commercial activity to ensure double-height space in the café area, and the building will be a selection of the its long-term viability. The Hall will be the allowing level access throughout the original stained glass panels, which, thanks centrepiece of the project, offering complex. The fire station and its associated to Glasgow Museums, will once again be on flexibility to be used for weddings and social tenement had been demolished some years display in the main Hall. The Trust also plans gatherings, conferences, for classes (for before, leaving just the single storey of to commission some modern stained glass example in music, theatre and dance) and archways. All of the external stonework to ‘Windows of Today’ to complement and rehearsals and for musical and theatrical Gairbraid Avenue and Maryhill Road has contrast with the historic glass. productions. The Burgh Halls will also been repaired and restored. include a nursery offering childcare places in an area where demand is high, plus a The scheme retains a courtyard as the hub For more information on the commercial recording studio and linked of the project. The principal circulation Maryhill Burgh Halls project, or to youth and community music studio and spaces direct the visitor to the core be kept up to date as to when the rehearsal space, alongside 11 lettable function of the main Hall, the large single panels will be on display, please visit business units. volume of which is retained as a multi- out website at function space. A new adjoining Garden www.maryhillburghhalls.org.uk or A café will be open to the general public, Room allows for breakouts to the email us [email protected] with a dedicated interpretation space so courtyard in good weather, and access to artefacts and information of local interest the café. The Hall itself is designed to allow can be displayed (working in conjunction for flexible staging and lighting, with new with Glasgow Museums). The design ancillary accommodation at either end. A GORDON BARR incorporates a central garden courtyard new floor at attic level has created Heritage Development Officer area offering the opportunity for tenants additional lettable floor space for offices, Maryhill Burgh Halls Trust and users of the Halls and café to take a amongst the retained, ornately carved break outdoors. original roof trusses. References Ian R Mitchell, ‘Stephen Adam’s Stained Glass Workers’, To provide this scheme required a complex The Burgh Hall plans were developed in History Scotland, 2005; 5: 37-42. mix of new build, selective demolition, concert with Glasgow City Council, which Iain B Galbraith. ‘Always happy in his designs: the legacy retained facades and the retention and has recently opened a brand new Glasgow of Stephen Adam’. Journal of Stained Glass, 2006; 30: 101-115. restoration of the main Hall building itself. Club centre, including a 25m swimming Michael Donnelly. Scotland’s Stained Glass. 1997; 34-35. Internally, there were very little of the pool, a toddlers’ pool, health and fitness Maryhill Burgh Halls Conservation Management & original fixtures or fittings left – numerous suites and a dance/multi-purpose studio Training Plan by Austin Smith Lord. alterations over the years had left the space, behind the retained facades of the Glasgow Herald, Saturday April 20, 1878, page 5, column building stripped back to the bare stone. original baths and washhouses next door. 5, ‘New Municipal Buildings At Maryhill’. There are very few records of what the The author acknowledges the detailed research into the interior of the Hall looked like, so it was The leisure centre and Halls complex were history and setting of the stained glass panels performed by Ian R Mitchell. decided to create a modern interior, rather designed to complement each other, and The stained glass panel images are copyright Glasgow Life, than trying to pastiche the original. The will share a common entrance through a on behalf of Glasgow City Council. The original panels are small awkward spaces of the police station new courtyard created behind the arched part of Glasgow Museums’ Collections.
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22 other organisations Cockburn Association News Edinburgh
The Cockburn Association held its AGM in including Tower Block, Scottish Architecture, Doors Open June. Three new members were elected to Clone City and The Last Icons. the Cockburn Council: Our guest speaker was Robyn Marsack, Day 2010 Jens Bergmark Director at The Scottish Poetry Library. Her A chartered architect, originally from presentation was very well received and we Sweden, Jens trained at the University of were delighted with her reading of George his year Edinburgh will be cele- Lund and at Edinburgh College of Art. He Bruce’s poem: brating 20 years of Doors Open worked for many years with some of Days. The event which has been Edinburgh’s best known architectural firms organised by the Cockburn before setting up his own practice in 2008. THE SONG OF HENRY AssociationT (Edinburgh’s Civic Trust) since Jens is a part-time tutor in Architecture at COCKBURN 1991, will take place on Saturday 25 and Edinburgh University and he has also served Sunday 26 September. This is the second on the Councils of the Edinburgh What could be more delightful consecutive year the event will run over Architectural Association (EAA) and of the within a town? The sea of Bellvue foliage two days, thanks to the support of our Royal Incorporation of Architects in gilded by the evening sun: the tumult main sponsors Brown Shipley, Private Scotland (RIAS). Jens is currently a member of blackbird and thrush sending Banking. of the Cockburn Association Cases their morning notes into the blue Committee. of summer air – this was his Edinburgh. As always, the programme features a number This way he would have it. of popular buildings of architectural and cul- John Fleming ‘On still nights I have stood, looked tural significance, as well as a diverse mix of John was born in Edinburgh in 1946, and at the prospect from Queen Street venues across the city including private largely educated there. A degree in gardens, and listened to homes, studios and some hidden gems that Chemistry from the University of St the corncraik’s ceaseless rural call. would not normally be open to the public. Andrews led to a life in the international All Leith Walk was fully set with wood. This year there will be 17 brand new venues. chemical industry, taking him ever further No Scotch city so graced with trees. from Edinburgh, over the border to England, How can I forget the glory of the scene.’ 2010 Programme Highlights Belgium, The Netherlands, and eventually This is the way he would have it. Houston, Texas. Living, working in and General Register House and New But that for money’s sake blank visiting so many other countries and their Register House: These two magnificent city walls broke off his views. cities stimulated an interest in public neo-classical buildings house the His war of words struck home. transport, which led to his joining the ScotlandsPeople Centre for Scottish family Still Edinburgh was Edinburgh, Transport & Planning Committee in 2009. history. General Register House, begun by but that his continuum of protest Robert Adam in 1774, is also the headquar- must end. Lord Cockburn now, Valerie Urquhart ters of the National Archives of Scotland. Senator of the College of Justice, Next door is New Register House, A Scottish Chartered Accountant with over Judge. In silence he must sit designed by Robert Matheson, 1861, home 15 years experience in the financial services Through every city hurt. sector working for a major investment bank to the General Register Office for Scotland both in the UK and overseas. Valerie has But that his human heart prevailed and The Court of The Lord Lyon. Three project and financial management skills would do so until his end. amazing rotundas are still used for storing relevant to the needs of the Association and Ayr – his last circuit journey. records. In Adam’s dome, a rare statue of welcomes the opportunity to apply these After the trial he noted: ‘One of the George III can be seen. Visitors can take a skills in the charitable sector. Valerie takes finest days of this unsurpassed tour, attend a talk or search some of the on the role of Treasurer. Spring. The advancing sea insinuating unique historical resources on offer. its clear waters irresistibly, yet gently. There was no sound – a picture of repose.’ Dr Miles Glendinningwas Observatory House: This iconic 18th Home – serenity in his ending. century house, which sits atop Calton Hill, re-electedfor a further term is one of the finest surviving buildings by No longer here to mark out right from wrong, on the Council the architect James Craig who famously The Cockburn bears the burden of his song. Miles is Director of the Scottish Centre for won the competition to plan Edinburgh New Town in 1766. It was the first obser- Conservation Studies and Reader in GEORGE BRUCE vatory on the hill and became a ‘popular Architecture at the Edinburgh College of Today Tomorrow - the Collected Poems of Observatory’ housing a ‘camera obscura’ Art. Formerly Head of Architecture at the George Bruce available from Renaissance when the new scientific observatory was Royal Commission on the Ancient and Press www.renaissancepress.co.uk Historical Monuments, he has authored or built, before becoming home to the assis- co-authored numerous books on tant astronomer royal. After significant contemporary and historic architecture, MARIONWILLIAMS restoration, the building was open to the
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public for the first time in 2008 during Girlguiding UK celebrates its centenary building works. Now with the restoration year. Originally built around 1813 by About EdinburghDoors project fully complete James Craig’s House Edinburgh builder William Elliot, the building Open Day: will be opening its doors again this year. retains many of the fine features of a Georgian family home. Edinburgh Doors Open Day is organised by The Merchants’ Hall: The Merchants’ the Cockburn Association (The Edinburgh Hall is one of Edinburgh’s more discreet Civic Trust) in partnership with Brown RoyalBank of ScotlandHeadquarters: Shipley Private Banking. treasures where the best of art and archi- Designed by Michael Laird and RHWL Edinburgh Doors Open Day was first tecture combine to create a building of Architects, the 44 hectare campus at organised by the Cockburn Association in grace and distinction. The building is the Gogarburn provides a high quality working 1991 and has grown to become one of the headquarters of one of Edinburgh’s oldest environment for over 3,500 employees. most popular free days out in the capital – and most prestigious business organisa- Completed in 2005, the development sits attracting approximately 100,000 visitors to tions, The Company of Merchants of the within a natural landscape on the outskirts over 75 buildings throughout the city. City of Edinburgh. of Edinburgh. This impressive building will Doors Open Day provides the public with welcome Doors Open Day visitors for the the unique opportunity to explore some of Edinburgh’s most architecturally, culturally The Glasite Meeting House:Designed by first time in 2010. and socially significant buildings, both old Alexander Black and built in 1835-36, the inte- MAGGIE SPALDING and new and all for free. rior remains almost unchanged. Visitors can All venues feature a wide range of free enjoy the meeting room, which is lit from activities, including guided tours, exhibitions, above by an octagonal cupola, containing blind- musical recitals and talks. arched walls and a pulpit designed by David Free brochures will be available from the Bryce. Visual displays, lectures and musical beginning of September in all city libraries recitals will be taking place on the day. and from the Tourist Information Board. More information on this year’s event will Girlguiding Scotland: 16 Coates be available on The Cockburn Association Crescent is the home of Girlguiding website by logging on to Scotland. This is a unique opportunity for www.cockburnassociation.org.uk visitors to see behind the scenes as RBS Headquarters,Gogarburn. The Scottish Churches Architectural Heritage Trust
he HEACS (Historic Environment be crucial to a project rather than just a small times missing is that very first step, to Advisory Council for Scotland) contribution. Town centre churches are not ensure that the work suggested deals with report published in September 2009 immune though and increasingly, as we see the perceived problem. Making sure your recordedT that 3,500 ecclesiastical buildings church authorities reduce staff, and repair advice is correct, and comes from a quali- are listed and comprise 15% of category A- money getting tighter we may well see our fied, professional source is an essential first listed buildings. town centre landscapes change. step, and will almost certainly reduce the overall project spend by the end. These are the sorts of facts which lie behind One of the concerns we have at SCAHT is the need for a charity like SCAHT – the the level of preliminary work undertaken In some cases, of course, employing good Scottish Churches Architectural Heritage prior to an application for support. A great asset management might remove the need Trust. Without any doubt ecclesiastical build- deal of valuable time is lost in well-meaning for remedial action, but where small commu- ings often define the culture of a country. groups making assumptions regarding the nities are concerned, it’s not easy to fund They range from iconic to humble, but all nature of a problem. In some cases SCAHT routine asset management – hence the have the same DNA. These buildings help a feels that spending its support money on divide grows within our built environment. country and the cultures within it to be ensuring the initial application identifies the For some reason church authorities have understood, preserve a history and direct a problem and directs toward an appropriate never grasped –probably on cost I expect – future. In short they are a building block of remedy would be of greater benefit. Too a common concept used by those in shared our nation. Increasingly, in a time when sup- often, perhaps, it might be the case that a accommodation or owners of other large port for the maintenance of such building is larger amount of support fails to address property portfolios, that routine, planned stretched thin, it is the rural sector which suf- the underlying problems and no one gets maintenance makes sense. We all have sto- fers most. Large city and town buildings ben- that value-for-money feeling. ries and mine is of a church near Castle efit from a weight-of-numbers support, an Douglas that was seeking £250,000 to repair often more vocal support base and are seen One of SCAHT’s safeguards, in common dry rot identified by a dry rot company. as too integral within a townscape to be lost. with many such supporting bodies, is that it Luckily,a visitor with a background in similar Whilst SCAHT supports the iconic it does pays grant monies after receiving an problems attended a service whilst on holi- have a great sensitivity for those ecclesiastical Architect’s Certificate. This, in most cases, day and got talking about the church – the buildings in need of help in more rural areas ensures that the work undertaken is of an eventual repair bill was £15,000! As a sector where the support SCAHT can offer might acceptable standard. What I think is some- we need to help those responsible for our
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churches. The problem of course is getting dependant on the certification from a pro- We have a tremendous opportunity to look across the concept of ‘paying to save money’! fessional rather than a trained lay person, at how reduced funding can make us look at then it’s not easy to see where these the problems differently, how the sector can Unless we are to see more churches turned trained lay people might fit. Establishing a work more closely, perhaps even in tandem into homes, or pubs or clubs, then there routine maintenance plan often requires and possibly UK wide, to address the issues needs to be some agreed joined-up thinking common sense – reinforce this with profes- and ensure our churches are fit for purpose amongst those who have responsibility for sional support. Equally we need to look at and continue to provide the essential cul- these buildings. A HEACS recommendation how the dozen or so groups within tural link to our heritage. is to better train ministers and priests, as Scotland, all concerned with various aspects well as lay people. All very commendable, of our church life, might pull together more but doubtless taking religious leaders away to ensure an economy of scale and purpose STUART BEATTIE from their core duties. Equally if support is that would see advantages to the client. Director, SCAHT
Investing in the Past to Impact on the Future
‘Investing In The Past’ – International heritage conference, Glasgow 18-20 November 2010 – www.investinginthepast.co.uk
Valuing our Heritage Glasgow City Heritage Trust and the Institute of Historic Building Conservation, Over the past two decades, Glasgow has the event includes speakers who have been famously transformed itself into one of the involved with managing major built heritage most dynamic and vibrant cities in Europe. projects both in the UK and internationally. A recent Visit Britain survey saw Glasgow in the top five visitor destinations in the Rather than showcasing how other areas, UK, with many visitors saying they come to projects and individuals work, the confer- Glasgow to find out more about the stories ence aims to provide delegates with practi- behind its history. Statistics show heritage cal and usable information on diverse fund-
in Scotland as a whole as being worth in ing opportunities to explore. Torsten Haak The ‘Investing In The Past’ conference will be held at Glasgow’s excess of £2.3billion, with Glasgow strongly from Glasgow City Heritage Trust says ‘this Old Fruitmarket in the Merchant City. The building is an out- standing example of how a category A-listed historic building contributing to this total. Glasgow has been event is very much geared up for our which has outgrown its original use has reinvented itself as a able to achieve this success in no small part diverse international speakers to inform, 21st century enterprise, harnessing its heritage and the story it by recognising and investing in one of its explain and teach. Our speakers, workshop has to tell about the past. © Glasgow’s Concert Halls. most unique assets: its built heritage. leaders and participants will be discussing and sharing practical and usable knowledge ward to introducing examples of award- The story of course does not end there. and experiences that we all may be able to winning heritage regeneration projects here There is still much to achieve, in Glasgow as learn from’. in Glasgow to an international audience’ he elsewhere. In a period of budgetary cuts, comments, ‘and we also welcome this with the public and third sectors facing a ‘If it’s used, it’s loved’ opportunity to bring together key interna- future economic landscape that looks very tional experts to explore solutions from different from that of the past decade, Keynote speaker for the first day of the across the world. Sourcing sustainable fund- sourcing investment has become the single conference is Lloyd Grossman, chair of ing for regeneration projects is a vitally biggest challenge for the built heritage Heritage Alliance, heritage enthusiast and important topic for us all right now’. industry today. well-known television personality. Grossman argues ‘we need to find a way in which we can be sure that the bulk of our Promoting collaborationand For further information about the historic environment is used, because if it’s creativity ‘Investing In The Past’ conference used, it’s loved and if it’s loved people feel programme and speakers, and for In November 2010, a three-day conference ownership, and then the funding and the bookings, visit the event website at ‘Investing in the Past’ will take place in sustainability flow from that’. Along with www.investinginthepast.co.uk. Glasgow, to look at issues and challenges of Grossman’s keynote presentation, ‘Investing creatively sourcing and managing funding for In The Past’ will include plenary sessions, For enquiries please contact heritage projects and delivering successful workshops, site visits and tours of some Helen Kendrick, Projects Officer, results. Organised as a collaboration award-winning heritage projects in Glasgow City Heritage Trust. between three built heritage organisations, Glasgow. Bailie Hanzala Malik, Chairman of the Association of Preservation Trusts, GCHT, is enthusiastic: ‘We are looking for-
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Celebrating a half-century of conservation National Trust for Scotland’s Little Houses Improvement Scheme is 50 years old
‘I have visitors to the house all the time who can’t get over what NTS has achieved here.’ Joe Wishart – Tenant, Old Logie Schoolhouse, Angus ‘This is about providing opportunities for contemporary Scots to spend their lives in small homes which are saved for all of Scotland to enjoy.’ NTS
n 1960 there was no Forth Road Bridge ple here every day who can’t get over what and the England football team was still to NTS has achieved with the restoration’. lift the World Cup. It was the year in which the National Trust for Scotland launched a Although his home is not an official Ischeme to save and restore little houses National Trust for Scotland property Mr around Scotland’s villages and burghs which Wishart welcomes visitors. faced blight or destruction. Little housesof huge historic Since inception the Little Houses significance Improvement Scheme has worked through a revolving fund model. When a house of The Old Schoolhouse, Logie © NTS NTS committed itself to townscape agreed historic merit needs to be rescued preservation even before the establishment NTS seeks to buy it from funds originally of the LHIS, aware that in the days before created from legacies or donations. The statutory protection smaller traditional ‘lit- Trust commissions sensitive repairs and the tle houses’ were hugely significant to the property is generally sold on the open mar- historic landscape. The Trust also saw that ket with proceeds going back to the fund to housing legislation passedin the years lead- help finance future projects. ing up to World War Two was allowing local authorities to carry out major alterations The outcome is that many buildings in the to the fabric of Scottish towns. Scottish vernacular and often entire streetscapes in the country’s most famous People still alive today in places such as burghs have been saved while behind attrac- The Study, Culross © NTS Culross in Fife and Dunkeld in Perthshire tive doors and a small wall-mounted NTS have cause to be grateful that the Trust plaque live ordinary folk whose domestic life acquired a significant number of properties in was transformed thanks to the Trust’s vision. each burgh which were repaired and offered to the local community at affordable rents. Award-winningrescue providesnew home Fife sees early recognitionof NTS success A recent award-winning conservation under the Little Houses Improvement The villages and burghs of Fife were very Scheme has been the early 19th century much the focus of the Little Houses earth-built schoolhouse at Logie near The Gyles, Pittenweem © NTS Improvement Scheme in its early years. NTS Montrose. took advantage of improvement and repair grants which were newly available as well as Its very first tenant is Joe Wishart who was the resources of restoring purchasers to born and brought up in the area and went fund repair works. Then, championed by the to Sunday school in what is now his home. Trust’s director James Stormonth Darling Said Mr Wishart (58) ‘The schoolhouse was and its chairman the Earl of Wemyss, the cre- a big part of life on the Logie estate in those ation of the dedicated revolving fund allowed days and indeed up until 1990. But then it the scheme to flourish by providing working fell into complete disrepair and only a capital for projects which were sold upon neighbour alerting the Trust helped to save completion. By the end of its first decade the Old Auchentroig, Stirlingshire © NTS it. Since moving in last year I have had peo- LHIS had restored over 30 properties.
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Threadneedle Street, Peterhead © NTS The 1970s were extremely productive in Dymock’s Building, Bo’ness © NTS project numbers and accolades received. In 1975, European Architectural Heritage Year, LHIS won a string of awards with individual projects recognised in Pittenweem, St Monans and Anstruther.
By the end of the 1970s NTS had restored 140 dwellings and built up the revolving fund to £140,000. The following decade was a period of expansion beyond Fife as the Trust took on architectural practices with established conservation credentials helping LHIS become a national force with projects historic small houses. If you consider the ugly completed in Glasgow and the west of blight which is still an unwelcome feature of Scotland, the Borders, Dumfries & Galloway many towns and contrast it with a successful and Moray. Little Houses Improvement Scheme area, you will see what NTS has done and can contin- ‘A place for everyone’says ue doing to save historic properties as long as Trust ‘Model of good practice’say the necessary funds can be raised’. professionalbodies Commenting on the 50th anniversary of The work goes on the Little Houses Improvement Scheme, As 50 years of the Little Houses NTS Head of Conservation, Terry Improvement Scheme is celebrated this In a project in progress at Peterhead, the Trust Levinthal said ‘This has always been about summer, the achievements of NTS in this is remaining faithful to the aim of LHIS NTS giving contemporary Scots the particular area of conservation are held up founders that whole communities should ben- chance to spend their lives in small homes by professional bodies around the UK as a efit. NTS is overseeing the restoration, due for which have been saved for everyone to model of good practice. completion by the end of 2010, of neglected enjoy. Most of all it is about the ordinary Georgian terraces in the historic core of the man and woman being able to live in small RIAS/RICS town. The Trust’s partners in the Peterhead yet significant homes. The scheme makes it project are the social housing provider crystal clear that the National Trust for Said Terry Levinthal of NTS ‘Looking back 50 Tenants First Housing Cooperative who will Scotland is not known solely for the care years it’s amazing to think no-one had heard acquire the buildings and provide housing for of large houses but is committed to con- of The Beatles or Mrs Thatcher, yet here was people with physical and learning disabilities. serving places across the spectrum for the National Trust for Scotland already set- everyone to enjoy’. ting out on the road to conserving so many AUDREY DAKIN
Caldwell Tower by Uplawmoor
arlier this year, Caldwell Tower in The present Caldwell House was built in East Renfrewshire was featured in a 1773 for William Mure, Baron of the television series about the restora- Exchequer of Scotland, to the designs of tion of a number of small historic Robert and James Adam. The house was Ebuildings. The particular programme originally planned as a rather plain classical repeated the owner’s belief that his tower box but the detailing was changed by the was built in the 15th century and was the addition of a machicolated cornice with last standing portion of a large medieval small bartizan towers, and the house as castle which stood by Uplawmoor on the built is one of the last of the Adam castel- hillside above Loch Libo. Artistic licence lated mansions. However, whilst the site and a considerable amount of imagination was new, this was not the first property at were used to produce an image of a Timothy Pont’s map of Renfrewshire © National Caldwell. Renfrewshire Camelot. Library of Scotland Garden History Society in Scotland. The Timothy Pont’s 1580 map of Renfrewshire A different picture has emerged from group has been studying and surveying a shows a substantial tower house at research undertaken over the past two number of sites in the area including the Caldwell. It appears to be located above the years by an East Renfrewshire historic designed landscapes associated with southern end of Loch Libo, which would designed landscape group supported by the Caldwell House. place it some distance from the site of the
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Armstrong 1775 map of Renfrewshire © National Library of ScotlandAinslie 1775 map with Pigeon House marked © National Library o f Scotland
present house. The nature of Pont’s map is very agony of making a new garden on the den. In addition there still exist the footings such that buildings are represented rather Brandy Hill behind the stables and offices. of the large enclosure and a levelled plat- than accurately sketched and we cannot be He has converted the old house into stables form suitable for a house close to a stone sure what the building actually looked like. and means next year to take away the water pump of classical design. The pres- The indications are that it was a tower and offices entirely which will be an immense ence of fragments of plaster, pottery and may have had a barmkin wall or enclosure, improvement to the place for at present slate in disturbances on this latter site sug- but it was certainly not a large or important they are not a beautiful ornament.’ gest that the older dwelling was indeed on multi-towered castle. Little seems to be the top of the rising land in front of the known about the occupation of this tower Survey work by the volunteers has identi- Adam house. Unlike the current house, the at Caldwell. The main branch of the Mure fied the living remnants of an avenue of old demolished property and the ‘new’ garden family lived at Glanderston a few miles from limes and the location of tree root hollows looked out across the intervening valley to Caldwell and whilst the Blaeu map of 1654 in patterns corresponding with the Roy gar- the site of Pont’s tower house. identifies a number of properties in the area it does not show any inhabited site for Caldwell Tower © John West The Armstrong map of 1775 suggests the Caldwell. It may be that the old tower had fate of the tower house as it identifies a been abandoned by this date. ‘ruin’ on the hillside above Loch Libo corre- sponding approximately with the location of In 1666 William Mure was attainted for his that provided by Pont. Fifteen years later, support of the covenanters’ cause and went after the completion of the Adam house, into exile in Holland where he died in 1670. Ainsley’s map of the area shows a castellat- The Caldwell estates were restored to the ed tower, described as a ‘Pigeon House’, on family in 1690 following the accession of the site of the ruin. William of Orange to the English throne, and eventually passed in 1722 to the The tower is still visible from the hill on nephew of William Mure of Glanderston, which the pre-Adam house was built, and another William who became Baron Mure without the trees which have grown up in the same year. over the intervening years, this ornamental ‘pigeon house’ would have been the princi- It has been suggested that a new house pal eye catcher in the landscape as seen commenced building in the early part of the from this viewpoint. In fact, the group’s sur- 18th century on the recently restored fam- vey work has revealed the presence within ily property. It is not clear when this house the new garden layout of a belvedere or was completed as General Roy’s map of bastion which looks directly to Caldwell 1746 shows a tree lined avenue, an elabo- tower. Further documentary research will rate garden of intersecting alleys, and a be needed to establish exactly when the walled enclosure, but no house. However, site of the ruin acquired its castellated Jean Hunter Blair (the sister-in-law of pigeon house, but it seems likely that it was Colonel William Mure, the heir to Baron contemporary with, or shortly after, the Mure) writing from Caldwell in 1799 construction of the castellated Adam man- reports that ‘Mr Mure is at present in the sion house.
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It seems probable that the Caldwell tower ly past and a reminder of how the family’s House now lies roofless, waiting for anoth- that we see today was constructed as a dec- fortunes had improved. er map to describe it as a ruin. orative feature in the landscape surrounding Caldwell House. Its construction on the site There is no evidence for the conjectured JOHN WEST of the earlier tower, and possible incorpora- ‘Camelot’, but the story of the tower is no Chairman tion of remnants or materials from the orig- less romantic in its own way. It is sad that Garden History Society in Scotland inal building, would no doubt also have pro- this small element in the landscape has fared Map illustrations reproduced by permission of the vided a link or memorial to the Mure fami- better than the mansion itself, as Caldwell Trustees of the National Library of Scotland.
Belmont – the rescue of an historic house
© Belmont House Trust
n the mysterious north isles of Shetland an Belmont was in a desperate state when HLF, whose interest in heritage evidently 18th century architectural treasure has acquired; we were advised on an early tour did not extend to further out locations (the been rediscovered and is coming back to of inspection not to stand together in the phrase ‘the Edinburgh mafia’ has since been life. Belmont House, situated in the island middle of the drawing room floor! Water whispered in our ears). Other organisations Iof Unst, has been under repair for the past ingress along the south front had rotted did not share their assessment. We remain 12 years, and is one of Scotland’s major panelling, floors and roof beams where they very conscious of, and grateful for, the restoration projects. Built in 1775, it was abutted the stone walls; birds nested freely, support of other charities over a period of nearly beyond the point of no return when and ponies nosed into the rear hallway years. Historic Scotland has been the in 1996 a small group of local people through the collapsing porch door. The roof principal funder, and insisted on a period formed a building preservation trust with was beginning to slide and a crack on the restoration carried out to the highest charitable status, bought it for £5, and began south wall threatened the house’s stability. standard. From a competitive tender the the huge task of saving it. The project is Looking back, it is no wonder that the Trust appointed Nicholas Groves Raines nearing completion: by 2011 we expect Belmont Trust was regarded as idiotically Architects; Nick’s commitment to the Belmont to be available for community optimistic in its desire to save the house. project and his expertise gave confidence events and holiday lets, marketed through And yet, beneath the dirt and dereliction, not only to us but to Historic Scotland. the National Trust for Scotland. the original features of the house remained untouched –a beautiful Adam fireplace, fine It is a matter of considerable pride that our To understand why Belmont matters it is detailing at cornice and ceiling, the subtle main contractor, Shetland Amenity Trust, only necessary to look at it. Set in a curve of staircase plastering. The rooms used its north isles workforce on this stunning wild landscape, the house, A-listed, were not big, but well-proportioned on an project. From the small island of Unst is a perfect example of unspoiled Georgian attractive domestic scale. The house was emerged craftsmen producing work of the architecture. Curved walls connect it to unaltered and unmodernised, and its history highest calibre, to the entire satisfaction of two pavilions and around it are formally laid well documented and accessible. Historic Scotland, our architect, and the out gardens with a farm square to the rear, sundry experts who have minutely all featured in the Inventory of historic Funding the restoration has been quite a scrutinised the ongoing repairs, renovations gardens in Scotland. task. We were turned down three times by and restorations at Belmont.
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© Belmont House Trust © BelmontHouse Trust
Work on the house, in fact, brought out the embedded in the walls. New lime mortar colour, was copied for the rest of the room. best of robust Shetland enterprise. All the has been applied and the house is a warm slates were taken off the roof and rehung, off-white colour. The Belmont trustees had a happy time and second hand Easdale slates sourced to choosing paint colours; we wanted a match –Easdale slates were frequently used Echoes from the past have emerged during restricted palette to unify the house and in Shetland as they could readily be shipped the works. We found that spagnum moss found Farrow and Ball colours to enhance the direct from quarry to site. They would have had been used under the floors for sound beauty of the rooms. We have used soft been landed on the beach below the house. proofing. Our skilled staff identified the yellow up the stairwell, and everywhere a work of two joiners – one better than the warm creamy white on windows and The roof beams were spliced, rotten wood other, he was kept out of the drawing room paintwork except where the original grey- replaced with new pitch pine – beautiful – and two plasterers when the house was blues were retained. Comment has been workmanship now invisible above later built. Their own work had to take account favourable – very peaceful, said our devoted works. The house was tied together with of the slightly different techniques of these master of works – and as no comment at all wooden stays and then jacked up from the first workers in the house. One commented came from the architects we assume that basement about three inches so that the to us how he felt he knew his predecessor. implies at least not disapproval! We had to roof beams clicked back into their slots in use distemper in all the rooms where the new the stonework of the chimneys. The Twelve years and £1million plus later, plasterwork was curing. Modern distemper replacement internal walls on the south Belmont is full of life. The interior remains has proved far better and more liveable with front were finished with lath and plaster, new in its original form. The rooms retain their than the lethally easy-to-flake stuff that some wooden panelling constructed to match original function, except for what was an of us knew in another A-listed Shetland house existing, and wool insulation added where office on the ground floor which is being (and took three weeks of scraping before feasible (not behind the panelling as it would turned into a cloakroom cum shower anything else could go on the walls). have put the panelling match out of true). room, and bathrooms on the top floor, where the lovely curve on the landing step We are about to start the refurnishing of The original windows were taken out, has been replicated in the new red the house, and gratefully acknowledge the cleaned, mended and replaced; where new bathroom, with its raised bath tucked under practical support of the National Trust for ones were necessary, handblown glass the eaves. Elsewhere the modern resident Scotland, who are loaning us some suitable closely matched to the original was used. moves and uses space as Thomas Mouat and and lovely furniture. It remains of course to The wooden banister rail was repaired with his family did when they moved in, in 1776. acquire more prosaic items – tattie peelers, fine mahogany beading steamed into shape, beds and so on. The life of a small trust is and it and the balusters –all sourced, as the From the hall, a curving staircase leads to rarely dull, and calls for commitment and Belmont archive tells us, from Messrs James the first floor, flooded with light from the energy. We do however believe that the Hamilton in Leith in May 1775 – French venetian windows which give onto a tiny Belmont restoration, which won the polished, one of the expensive specialist writing room with glazed door. It is the Georgian Group award in 2007 for best works at the end of the contract. perfect place to write, read, or, more likely, country house restoration in Britain, dream, gazing out at the view of sea and continues to be worthy of national notice. As the house had never had plumbing or islands beneath the immense Unst sky. The electrics, finding routes for these took adjoining drawing room has windows on ingenuity, as did the fire suppressant system three sides and exquisitely moulded For more information about the Belmont restoration project, please insisted on by Historic Scotland and costing plasterwork. When the walls were cleaned see www.belmontunst.org.uk us £50,000, non-grant aidable. down recently we were somewhat bemused to find the shadowy shapes of an Externally the modern (circa 1900) cement elaborately moulded mirror and several harl was picked off to disclose the original pictures, one hung squint, showing where WENDY SCOTT lime mortar, consisting largely of oyster they had been hung for probably at least Trustee shells, some nearly whole, which remain 100 years. The paint behind, a blue-green The Belmont Trust
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30 talking point My Favourite Building
Eden Valley Linen Works © Crown Copyright RosehallHouse © Crown Copyright
o be asked ‘what is my favourite building’ is a wonderful although he only owned it for a very short time, it happened to be question and one which I have thought about many times. in his possession when his mistress was Coco Chanel. The interior But how can I choose? Do I really have one, single was not to Chanel’s liking and she redecorated it in her celebrated favourite building? I love buildings for so many reasons. chic style. For the most part she chose a strikingly simple palette of There are buildings which make me smile, buildings which shades of beige with plain painted timber chimneypieces. It is the intrigue me, buildings which are breathtaking and buildings which tell only known house in Scotland with an interior by Chanel and its sur- meT a story. It is the variety which is so special and so I cannot just vival is remarkable. write about one building, but I can tell you about some of the build- ings which fascinate me. I assessed many buildings in the East End of Glasgow when I began listing and it remains one of my favourite parts of the city. I also have I have, of course, never forgotten the first building I looked at which a particular interest in cinema architecture as a result of the themat- became listed. I joined Historic Scotland’s Inspectorate over eight ic study which I managed in 2007-08 and the resulting publication years ago and I started assessing buildings for listing about one year which I wrote on the subject. The Bellgrove Hotel in the Gallowgate after I joined. When I was asked to look at the Former Eden Valley manages to combine a fascinating insight into the social history of the Linen Works in Freuchie, Fife it was at least a building with which I was city along with my interest in cinema architecture. It was construct- very familiar. I grew up nearby and as a child I knew it as the ‘mush- ed in 1935-7 by the celebrated practice of McNair & Elder who built room factory’, its use as a linen factory having long since ceased. Built up a reputation as one of the foremost exponents of cinema archi- around 1864, probably by the Dundee-based firm Robertson & tecture. Here they used their talents to produce a streamlined and Orchar, it is an important example of the once-prominent linen indus- striking example of Thirties Moderne architecture which was pur- try in Fife. It met the criteria for listing at category B and it was listed pose-built as a working men’s hostel to provide modest accommo- in 2003. Although it was my ‘first listing’, it also makes me smile when dation for the many workers still required in this heavily industri- I see it now because the principal building on alised area. It survives remarkably intact and the site has now been sensitively converted when assessing it for listing I was struck not to flats. It is a good illustration of what listing only by the remarkable façade but also by achieves – a check in the planning process to the multitude of exceptionally tiny single prevent unthinking change. A significant rooms which were designed for the resi- piece of Fife’s industrial, social and architec- dents. There was room only for a small sin- tural heritage now has a new lease of life and gle bed, wash hand basin and radiator. a sustainable future. Now, if you were to ask me in a year’s time If I had not chosen a career in architectural what my favourite building is, it is very like- history I would have loved to have studied ly that I may come up with a different list. fashion history. When a request to review One of the best things about my job as the listing of the category B-listed Rosehall Head of Listing is that there is always some- House near Lairg in the Highlands came to thing new to see, something remarkable the listing team, I knew that it was the case which will capture my attention. I have an for me. It is not often that I get to combine enviable overview of the whole country fashion history with architectural history and I never fail to be amazed by what we and this was a very rare opportunity! Dated see.As time moves on, and more buildings 1822, Rosehall House is an appealing seven become eligible for listing, there is a wealth bay classical mansion of obvious interest in of post-war buildings to investigate for des- listing terms, but it certainly does not ignation. So my favourite building may still immediately suggest that it has connections be out there, and perhaps it has even yet to with the fashion icon Coco Chanel. be constructed? Rosehall was acquired by the 2nd Duke of Westminster in the late 1920s and, BellgroveHotel © Derick Carss ELIZABETHMCCRONE
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talking point 31 How the West was ‘One’
here is no single development that I know of that has such a profound impact on the quality of life of people and the shaping of places (and is surrounded by more controversy) as the establishment of aT new transportation development.
One only needs to read the local and national media any day of the week to see how much passion and emotion is generat- ed by the announcement and development of new roads and transportation systems such as the Aberdeen Western Peripheral Route and the Edinburgh Tram system – or even the lack of development such as the Glasgow Airport rail link.
The way we have connected (or disconnect- ed) people and places through the develop- the throne in 1837, Ballater was still a little by the River Dee through to Torphins and ment of our physical transportation systems village, ‘far from the madding crowd’. Lumphanan. The obvious route was aban- (by land, air and sea) has left us with a phys- doned because the major landowner in the ical heritage and legacy which has helped But after she and Prince Albert had bought area of Kincardine O’Neil had refused to sell shape our built and wider environments. nearby Balmoral Castle all that changed and his land to the railway company. Ballater expanded rapidly. Those in favour of new transportation pro- How our Victorian railway companies must posals want a faster, cheaper and more con- In 1840 Ballater had 271 residents. By 1871 have envied their colonial cousins! venient method of moving from A to B and the number had risen to 694, with 154 will point to the economic prosperity this inhabited houses. When Queen Victoria Conversely, in the USA, the railway compa- will bring. died in 1901 it was a prosperous centre nies faced relatively no such opposition in with a population of 1256, attracting visitors progressing the establishment of a railway Those against are invariably concerned from all over Britain and even further afield. transportation system which linked the east about the impact on quality of life and the So what single development had such a pro- and western coasts, as they were able to wider environmental impacts of increased found impact on Ballater – was it the royal invoke the power of eminent domain (and faster) vehicle movement, increasing effect? No; it was the completion of the bestowed on them by the Government to the level of CO2 emissions, impacting on cli- railway line to Ballater in 1866. seize a citizen’s rights in property with due matic change (in my heyday it was just pol- monetary compensation. lution) or in terms of the immediate impact Although in use for only about 100 years it on our ecosystem and the way of life in our changed the area dramatically. It created It would be several years before rural or urban places. publicity through its use by royalty (includ- Compulsory Purchase Orders paved the ing, at one time, the Tsar of Russia) and way for local authorities in Scotland to Looking to the past, perhaps of less contro- important visitors travelling to and from carry out redevelopment of land, or use versy was the establishment of the great Balmoral. It created a cheap form of trans- Compulsory Purchase Orders to buy land Victorian transportation legacy – the rail- port for people holidaying in Deeside and it and lease it to private developers. way – or was it? acted as a commuter railway for people working in Aberdeen. Perhaps the landowner who halted the Take an example from my own backyard in tracks of the railway at Kincardine O’Neil Aberdeenshire, the establishment, in the It is well known that the Deeside railway had the wellbeing of his people and environ- 19th century, of the (Royal) Deeside Railway, was originally planned to reach beyond ment at heart, but on the other hand it may which until 1966 connected the City of Ballater to Braemar, but was never complet- have been he just didn’t get the right price Aberdeen to Ballater (now in the eastern ed as planned since Queen Victoria had for his land. He did however cause consid- area of the Cairngorms National Park). objected to the plans for fear of disturbing erable difficulties for future rail users as the the tranquillity of her estate in Balmoral. diverted route north to the summit cutting Ballater is one of my favourite places in the ‘One’ had only to raise an eyebrow and the became a notorious bottleneck on the line, world and is the birthplace of Patrick Geddes progress of the railway into the wild west frequently becoming blocked by snow in (the acclaimed father of town planning). was halted at Ballater - such was the influ- winter. Consequently, Deeside acquired its ence of the Crown! own ‘Devil’s Gulch’! It has a medieval pattern development influ- enced by the ancient tracks over the What is less well known was that, earlier, the But whatever the real reason, today, while Grampian Mounth. Ballater developed slow- original route of the Deeside railway was many Deeside settlements have benefitted ly at first and, when Queen Victoria came to diverted in 1853 north of Kincardine O’Neil from the train links to Aberdeen’s prosper-
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ity and created many new homes and rivalries and competitive mistrust, and national activities places, Kincardine O’Neil remains a actively to develop and share learning and remarkable exception in having very few good practice. buildings less than 100 years old. I joined the Built Environment Forum AHSS As time moved on, so did the convenience Scotland (BEFS) because I believe we can and frequency of other types of transporta- learn from the past and make a difference. tion bolstered by the development of the BEFS is the only membership forum operat- National improved road system – buses and person- ing in Scotland that brings together volun- al usage of the motor car became more reli- tary and professional bodies in the built able and convenient than the train. environment sector. Spring Study And so by the 1960s the railway transport Through collaborative action, we influence system was considered by the Government and promote relevant issues on Scotland’s Tour 2011 of the day as a relic of the Victorian era. So heritage, and place-making to policy-makers when Lord Beeching was appointed as and decision-makers. Now has never been a The Three Firths Chairman of British Railways he set out to more appropriate time for such an organisa- run it as a profit making business – not a tion as BEFS to step forward to inform, medi- Tour: Beauly, public service – and the fate of rural and ate and advocate on strategic issues affecting suburban railways such as the Deeside rail- both the historic and contemporary ele- Cromarty & way was set. ments within the Scottish built environment. Dornoch Despite successive Governments’ promises Adopting an integrated approach, our aim at Friday 6 May to to halt the train line closures the appointed BEFS is to secure better places in Scotland Governments of the day ‘backtracked’ on by developing the right conditions for Monday 9 May their election pledges and closures in fact achieving places that are of good quality, continued at a faster rate than under previ- that are valued, that work for people and Following on from 2010’s most suc- ous administrations until the end of the that are distinctly Scottish. cessful tour of Lochaber, Skye and 1960s and into the early 1970s. Lochalsh, which began and ended at There is no doubt that any change brings Fort William, the ‘tour team’ have The irony was that Beeching’s closures with it benefits and threats, with the current crossed to the Highlands’ east coast. never achieved their desired savings, as the economic environment bringing its own chal- We are in the early stages of planning ‘rural commuter lines’, such as the Deeside lenges – however, I do not believe it should be a tour of highlights of the many archi- line, were essential feeders to the major ‘Hobson’s choice’. How we manage these tectural delights of the Three Firths commuter lines...and the rest is history as conflicting aims (of protecting Victorian royal area, looking at Nairn, Easter Ross, they say. interest or swingeing efficiency cuts to the the Black Isle, the Beauly Firth hinter- rail system) should aim to achieve a sustain- land, and up to Dornoch. We are More than 40 years on from Beeching’s able future for us all and the right heritage intending that the tour will begin and 1963 report, The Reshaping of British and legacy for future generations. end at Inverness and that other Railways, we hear a similar rhetoric from arrangements and prices will be sim- contemporary politicians and Government We can only hope that the ongoing mod- ilar to those of the last tour. Please civil servants about the increasing cost of ernisation of the planning system and the submit notes of interest to the public services which we can no longer introduction of the new Historic National Office now, with the usual afford and the cuts and efficiencies that have Environment Bill will be enlightened and ballot for places in January if the tour to be made. visionary enough to help protect our places proves to be over-subscribed. For and contribute to better places through further details see the 2011 ‘Three The impact of the Beeching cuts on our more sustainable development. It will not Firths Tour’ flier. places and people has never been really cal- be for the want of trying. culated or evaluated – but certainly we just need to look at how this legacy has trans- However, if you wait long enough nature formed our places and our streetscapes and will take over. Today, almost 50 years after the wider consequences for climate change. the implementation of Beeching’s Axe, the So it is clear that if cuts are to be made we train station at Ballater is a visitor centre need to see the bigger picture and the con- and Victorian tea room; an iconic reminder Erratum sequences of what on the face of it may of the heyday of the ‘Royal railway’...and seem inconsequential now – we need to steadily but surely a short stretch of the Spring 2010 edition learn from the past and provide visionary Deeside railway at Crathes Castle is moving leadership for the future to ensure that our slowly west, being re-opened by railway The memorial for Eleanor built environment heritage is protected and enthusiasts. Robertson, page 3 said improved through sustainable development. that she died on 12 If we are to avoid the mistakes of the past So my message to our latter day Mr December last year, which we must bring coherence, ambition, aspira- Beechings is...‘There is profit in nostalgia’... was incorrect. She died tion and drive to the entire built environ- on 4 November 2009. ment sector to do better, to circumvent CRAIG STIRRAT vested interests, to rise above supposed Director, BEFS
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Educational Technical Models of Neoclassical Edinburgh Stonework
Architecture students from the University then a chimney stack and a stone window architecture and is expected to further of Edinburgh have been studying the con- surround, representing the typical features inform teaching and research projects in the struction and detailing of ashlar neoclassic of this ashlar masonry. Scale models were construction and performance of historic architectural elements in Edinburgh, as part produced that showcase good conservation buildings. of a supervised research project for their practice to non-specialist masons, home architectural placement, in collaboration owners and architects. The relationship with the City of Edinburgh Council and between academy and professional practice DIMITRISTHEODOSSOPOULOS Historic Scotland. The students first studied provided an opportunity for the students to Lecturer in Architectural Technology an entire façade (Leith Citadel Station), and develop knowledge of the fabric of historic University of Edinburgh
ChimneystackModel Leith Citadel StationFaçade This project started with site visits exploring The outcome of the exercise was a scaled specific architectural elements that were 1:10 interactive model. Made of hardwood, highlighted for study by Edinburgh Council it reproduced the geometry and assembly due to the associated correct construction of key elements of the building, such as the practices that are required to repair and entablature and column. It was designed to retain the character of the building, and be durable and simple to use in teaching cir- more importantly, Edinburgh’s architectural cumstances. The deconstructable design of identity. Eventually, these building studies the model has enabled it to be used as a revealed the importance of the chim- training tool for masons, demonstrating neystack within Edinburgh’s built environ- correct restoration methods, and providing ment, and were essential in understanding masonry students with a more interactive the numerous technical problems and the and realistic method of learning. The model character of neo-classical buildings. The incorporates removable elements showing iconography of the chimney that is integral stone construction, joints and fixings. There to the city’s skyline led to exploration of this was an attempt to communicate past con- particular masonry element in model form. struction techniques and building methods used in masonry buildings of this period. Investigation into modelling techniques revealed the full potential of the model. Our It was essential for the modelling to com- architectural background was integral to the bine construction information from aesthetic qualities of the model, providing a Historic Scotland and the Council, and his- further aspect to the masonry nature of the torical records (National Monuments project. The character of the stone was cre- Record) with a detailed survey of the ated through the use of the laser cutter, tex- façade. This data informed us how Leith turising the surface of the wood and repli- cating the tectonic qualities of stone.
The completed model is fully demountable, consisting of approximately sixty individual blocks, revealing important details within the chimney such as the flue liners or connec- tions as it is assembled or dismantled. Held ern repairs, while common practice is also together by three hundred small magnets shown through the introduction of stainless embedded into key points throughout the steel metal ties. model, the polarity of the magnets guides the user to reconstruct the model accurate- These elements relate directly to the teach- ly. The educational purpose of the model is ing qualities of the model and the desire to achieved through the deconstructive nature inform both home owners and professionals of the model. alike in ashlar stone repairs, along with simultaneously furthering our knowledge of The detailing is technically accurate in the conservation and stonework in Edinburgh literal construction of the model, giving the and diversifying our architectural training. user a realistic understanding of structural qualities in chimney stack conservation. Two ADAM NEEP, EMMA GARLAND flue lining techniques are represented in AND LEE KYNOCH, order to convey a full understanding of mod- MA Design
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StoneWindow Surround Model
This model shows the stone surround frame of a typical sash window at the scale of 1:10 with the necessary construction and repair details. Similarly to the previous projects, it will be used as a training tool to highlight the structural arrangement of the stonework in support of the window opening and the effect of alterations and repairs to non-spe- cialist masons.
The dimension and details of the model were drawn based on research in conservation lit- erature, visits to restoration sites around Edinburgh and to stone mason workshops, which allowed us to develop a clear under- standing of construction traditions and struc- tures of a standard wall with a sash window. A typical structural layout was defined, based on the bonding of the rybatts of the stone surround to the rubble wall at the back, by Citadel Station was constructed and alternating the inband and outband blocks – designed, and gave us a greater overall three inbands and four outbands on each side. understanding of the building. Professional input from the Quality Monitors The University Architecture Workshop of the Conservation Department also gave was the base for the construction of the valuable insights in the technical problems model. The woodworking techniques and commonly encountered in window restora- details to connect the elements were tion projects and the best methods to rectify chosen so that the model emulates the them. Some of these techniques are repro- practice of a real stonemason, and tech- duced for the model, for example partial of a sash window and its surrounding wall, but niques and load bearing methods applied replacement of inband stone blocks using also demonstrates the vital, but often ignored, in real practice. The lower part was mod- metal ties; full replacement of inband stone structural relationship between the different elled as a solid and to represent the stone on the opposite side, where surrounding components. For example, taking away the courses, a lasercutting machine was used, stones have to be taken out; and lintel rubble wall at the back (inner leaf) will make where fine black lines are scored onto the replacement using drop-dowels, where the the front face (outer leaf) unstable, bulge and wood, at a much smaller and more accu- stones on top also have to be taken out in fall; removing the inband stones will compro- rate scale than could be done by hand. order to remove the old lintel. mise the bond between the inner and outer The top section (cornice and parapets) leaf, therefore the outer (ashlar) leaf may col- can be completely dismantled and the The stone blocks were modelled in MDF and lapse or deform and lose its sharp finish. blocks are held together by dowels repre- were varnished. Stone pebbles and resin were senting the real connections. used to model the rubble wall, while metal The appearance of the model is designed to pins and magnets were used for the metal look as realistic as possible; a laser cutter was The creation of the model demonstrated ties and dowels mentioned earlier. It was used to engrave the fine tooled finish of the its value not only for the education of important to model the fabric around the lin- ashlar stonework, like chisel or point finishing. masons but also for architects, engineers, tel and the cills in order to study the stability A different raster image was used to texture clients of masons and conservationists: of the surrounding masonry. the doved finish given to the lintel, cill, inband the construction has greatly extended and outband stones surrounding the window, our own knowledge of masonry buildings Like the previous two models, this model is as usually happens in real life. Different speed and conservation techniques and was a fully demountable so that it can be used as a and power settings on the laser produced a unique opportunity to study masonry, col- tool for teaching and demonstrations. variety of tones reflecting the typically patchy laborate with large organisations and Elements, such as individual stones, can be effect of buildings in Edinburgh. As architec- improve model-making abilities. We can removed to show how they relate to each ture students, we hope the model not only confidently make use of this learning in other in terms of connection and stability. clearly displays the correct structural compo- the future and such projects can effective- The process of taking apart and remounting sition of a traditional stone frame in ly promote the progress and awareness of the model is simple and clearly illustrated in Edinburgh, but also captures some of its conservation issues within the architec- the instruction diagram attached so anyone architectural qualities so that it improves its tural profession. can do it easily and learn from it. appreciation by architects and public alike.
SHONA BLACK AND The deconstructible nature of the model not MELINDA JIN, LYNNE MACKAY AND LAURA BARR only helps by showing even inexperienced WEIFENG KONG, MA Design people (such as home owners) the make-up MA Design
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life and works of Frank Lloyd Wright. The prominent and compelling architects. selected texts more accurately represent Undertaking this book in stages, taking ‘snapshots’ at various points throughout time perhaps to retrospectively analyse his career. This approach also appears at each chapter’s content, is the key. odds with Wright’s own highly disordered literary style, and it is this disparity of In summary, this delightful sojourn into styles that create an underlying tension history, analogies and amusing for the reader. Robert Twombly’s part in abstractions provides a quality of this book is, however, not to be understat- literature seldom encountered in ed. His intuitive and enlightening introduc- contemporary architectural writing. It tions to each ‘text’ assist in providing offers something from a different age, much needed context and perspective. In uncontaminated by critical opinions and fact, were it not for Twombly’s concise editorial meddling. Undoubtedly, the style prose, Wright’s original texts may appear and content of this book would garner incongruous. even Wright’s approval.
Wright’s insights into the various trends EOIN O’LEARY and movements during his era can be exceedingly interesting when studying the buildings he was involved with at the time; these texts are like a ‘behind the scenes’ FrankLloyd Wright: extra to a modern day DVD. Many of EssentialTexts Wright’s theoretical arguments have an uncanny resonance with the current state Edited by RobertTwombly of contemporary architecture. This WW Norton& Company suggests that the man was indeed ahead of ISBN: 978-0393732610 his time and that his theory, methodology 2009 and teachings are still relevant many US $25.00 decades later.
Last year, the 50th anniversary of Frank The texts, although accurately conveying Lloyd Wright’s death, witnessed an Wright’s well publicised (at times irresistible torrent of publications entertaining and charismatic) honouring his indelible impact upon the temperament, can be problematic to profession. In the vanguard of such tomes critically decipher, particularly the earlier is this volume of 21 essential texts, which texts when he reveals less about his own represent a carefully condensed collection work and more about prevailing trends of the father of American architecture’s and theoretical subject matter. most significant communiqués within the Paradoxically, these earlier texts comprise sphere of literature. These writings span a the bulk of the book, rather than his latter 50-year period, taking the reader on an years when he was exerting the most HistoricPreservation: evolutionary voyage not only through his influence. Unfortunately, this publication An Introduction to Its History, work, but also (in an intriguing way) assumes considerable prior knowledge Principlesand Practice through his mind. The variation in subject and there are few visual references and no matter of these ‘essential’ texts ranges technical details such as plans or sections. Second Edition from a somewhat authoritarian tirade Architecture is, after all, a visual medium By NormanTyler regarding the devaluation and prostitution and requires more than words to convey WW Norton& Company of the profession, to a recital of his specific its essence. NewYork/London, 2009 design intentions for a series of his ISBN: 978-0393732733 Usonian houses. To any aspiring architecture student or £22.99 architectural historian this assemblage of The chronological format of the publica- texts should form a valuable reference This book advertises itself as an tion, however, lends itself to be misinter- point, and provide invaluable insight into introduction to every aspect of American preted as a comprehensive timeline of the the development of one of history’s most historic building preservation and the
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author claims that the content is aimed message. If anything, the graphic style of the growth from the early settlers to the at everyone from students to local sketches brings coherence across the city’s industrial past, and up to its post- officials to community leaders. Certainly, various chapters. war regeneration. Jamieson focuses on as one of the few volumes introducing the development of architecture from this subject it has the unenviable task of Its real value to a reader or researcher the 17th century onwards, drawing upon being comprehensive while also will depend on your location, however. For the work of Alexander Thomson and communicating in layman’s terms the anyone living in America with a desire to Charles Rennie Mackintosh in particular. essence of some complicated topics. follow up or continue research on any of He provides an insight into the many the topics covered, then this book is a parks and gardens around Glasgow, This second edition rearranges a number must. For those of us living outside the documenting their origins, and of the chapters making the route from US, the content is not so useful. highlighting elements of architectural cover to cover far more of an Nonetheless, it provides a good interest. A crucial section covers the educational journey than its predecessor. comparison to the thoughts, theories and regeneration of the city after the Overall the structure is very good with opinions of our own conservation economic depression in the wake of the clear chronology and logical ordering of principles and practices, but due to First World War, and another chapter topics. Each chapter covers a different America’s unique architectural heritage focuses on the relocation of Glaswegians aspect of preservation starting off with a the majority of the book is not directly during the 1950s. The book concludes short history in chapter one, followed by relevant. with a forward look to proposed major a summary of building typologies. building projects. Essentially it is a IAINTINSDALE historical archi-tour, where the subjects Every chapter covers its own theme and are seen in their present condition. reads like a short book in its own right. The content encompasses a wide variety Undoubtedly, Charles Jamieson produces of issues but is conveyed in a succinct wonderfully vivid photographs, not only manner containing pointers to the most capturing an overview but also relevant sources or materials required for concentrating on the detail, with careful further research. The format greatly consideration to framing and formatting promotes the book’s use for reference the page. He has captured Glasgow’s allowing information to be easily found industrial past which has helped shape under any of the relevant headings. the character of this much-loved city. Certain photographs could correlate Much of the preservation theory is based better to the text, but this is a minor upon development within the United criticism. The text reads eloquently, and States, but I was pleasantly surprised by the although elements are repeated, this is inclusion of some important European acceptable as the building studies also practices. A more thorough discussion provide an insight into the city’s history. along these lines would have been welcome to balance the heavy content in the The book might have missed some conservation finance and planning sections opportunities, however, as it would have which are heavily grounded in American worked very well as a form of brochure governmental administrative parlance. for the promotion of the city. Providing Glasgow more detail on the places of interest, The book, almost unbelievably, actually By Charles Jamieson opening times for potential visitors and a covers everything it sets out to do, Frances Lincoln map could have sited the buildings within touching on each topic sometimes even in ISBN: 978-0711221970 a wider context. The one-word title too much detail. The only section that £16.99 remains somewhat elusive and does not stands out as being weaker than the rest is This wonderfully charming book gives a fully communicate the essence of the the legal chapter which is considerably personal insight into the historical book; the introduction of a sub-heading lighter than expected. Overall the book development of Glasgow’s architecture. referring to the city’s architecture would covers a great breadth of information in Charles Jamieson has produced a better inform the reader. quite a precise manner to the extent that beautifully formatted photographic the segment on surveying is almost a ‘how summary of the styles of architecture This book does not purport to be a to’ guide (provided you can get past the use that make up the city. The book theoretical treatise; it is written to inform, of feet and inches). comprises a rich visual record of and should sit comfortably on any architectural interest, with architect’s coffee table. It is a valuable As a reference source with such a breadth accompanying text summarising the addition to Glasgow’s resurgence and and depth of content, the book represents history, the buildings and the captures the city’s unique architectural great value for money. The use of black and regeneration of the city. past. In the author’s own words: ‘This white drawings and photographs (instead book is a visual celebration of Glasgow.’ of colour) is reflected in the reasonable Glasgow has a very interesting and price but this in no way detracts from the varied history and the book traces its JAMES D CAREFOOT
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room which presented a simple grid of Modernism, whilst others perceive a research photographs adjacent to a trenchant critique of Thatcher’s legacy. looped video. The American artist Gordon Matta-Clark tackled the notion of Essentially, Paterson is an acolyte of John contextual displacement by placing actual Berger’s maxim that ‘Seeing comes before building fragments (literally cut-out words’ and, although he may not be the new architecture) in the rarefied space of the poster boy for the architectural profession, gallery – here Paterson conjured up a Paterson reminds us of architecture’s fractured forest with no obvious ‘thread’ dormant ambition to forge an enlightened, to guide us through his fabricated more egalitarian society. His appropriation of labyrinth. choice modernist motifs taps into (and celebrates) this crusading spirit, reinvigorates © Alan Dimmick, courtesy of the Fruitmarket Gallery. The ascent up to the first floor gallery, our collective conscience and reaffirms however, revealed a marked contrast, architecture’s potential to enhance daily life. being flooded with light but seemingly Toby Paterson:Consensus devoid of obvious artwork. Nonetheless, and Collapse you were drawn into the space and slowly MARK COUSINS started to discern some subtly faceted The FruitmarketGallery, Edinburgh wall panels, (apparently) constructed as an 30th January– 28th March 2010 understated homage to a forgotten Any artist who sets out with the intention Glasgow mega-structure by Richard to ‘…explore the relationship between Siefert. Some may find this studied abstraction and reality’ can so easily sparseness underwhelming after the succumb to the lure of protracted intensity below, but the stark contrast treatises prioritising semiotics and affirms Paterson’s fondness for dialectics semantics. Toby Paterson, however, comes (dark/light, present/past, dense/open, across as a softly spoken, grounded familiar/foreign, etc) and highlights the Glaswegian who eschews any over- work’s oscillation between architectural intellectualisation of his work and instead and abstract. simply applies himself to crafting beautiful ‘things’ (paintings, reliefs, constructions, No doubt most architects will applaud etc) mostly inspired by the built Paterson’s passion for post-war Modernist environment. architecture but he eschews the predictable ‘Modern Masters’ for lesser- Paterson is an occasional skateboarder known doyens such as Denys Lasdun, with a keen eye for the neglected, piss- Berthold Lubetkin, Andy MacMillan and Isi stained corners of our sprawling Metzstein. His promulgation of a (largely) conurbations. His fascination for desolate neglected avant-garde extends to the underpasses, abandoned factories and the English constructivist painters including ragged edges of our urban realm extends Mary Martin, Ben Nicholson and Victor to numerous cities including those of the Pasmore. Indeed, the title of their seminal former Eastern Bloc. Inspired initially by 1956 exhibition ‘This is Tomorrow’ might The Conservationof Phoebe Mendelsohn’s essay on ‘Amerika’, he well have served as a galvanizing subtitle, Anna TraquairMurals at employs photography to document his in lieu of the somewhat anodyne MansfieldTraquair Centre, meandering journeys through the back ‘Consensus and Collapse’. streets before dissecting a particular Edinburgh building or element. Paterson then The exhibition encompassed ten years of Fiona Allardyceand RosemaryMann transposes these fragments in exacting production and, although not architectural HistoricScotland detail, usually painting directly on to per se, displayed a remarkable consistency Edinburgh,2007 Perspex, encouraging a more expansive in its engagement with architectural ISBN: 978-1904966500 gaze which allows us to look beyond the themes. Paterson confides that the £6.00 picture plane to the immediate context. ‘…basic reason that I am so interested in Perspex’s inherent transparency was architecture is because it can be broken This publication gives a comprehensive ruthlessly exploited in the Fruitmarket down into constituent parts that do account of the restoration of the Gallery’s exhibition which corralled interesting things visually and formally’. impressive mural paintings by Phoebe dozens of early pieces into a seemingly Much of the work operates at a number Anna Traquair in the former Catholic chaotic zoo on the ground floor. A series of levels and, being so stylised and rich in Apostolic Church in Mansfield Place, of large, fabricated, floating timber frames association, is open to manifold readings. Edinburgh. Defined as a ‘case study’, the criss-crossed the space and served to Some see it as a melancholic flirtation report aims to highlight the process of, intensify this sense of immersion. Visitors with entropy, a paean to Auge’s notion of and the issues raised in, trying to preserve weaved their way through to a smaller Non-Place, a nostalgic reverie on Heroic this important piece of Scottish art in
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order to provide a framework for future a determined individual. We learn of the the works, ‘the after’.As an aid to the reader, generations of conservation works. biblical significances of the murals, the there are clear and easily understood extensive restoration work that was illustrations (some 420 throughout the book), The author, Fiona Allardyce, a respected performed and the techniques that were which are colour coded to represent and conservator and member of the Mansfield applied. Here, the world of restoration is express the conducted works. These are Traquair Trust, led the team and opened up to the reader, detailing the accompanied by site photographs depicting orchestrated the restoration works. Her technical methods used to conserve and the condition of the murals before and after passion and knowledge of her field is relating these principles and philosophies to restoration.The photographs complement the evident throughout the book. the case study in question. Finally, there is a text and explain the extent of deterioration in Nonetheless, unlike many books of this general appraisal and conclusion of the terms of both paint and the plaster base. nature, she has managed to convey all the project as a whole, bringing this first section information relatively simply and of the report to a satisfactory close. The book gives the reader an appreciation coherently without confusing the reader for the rigorous and demanding process of with over-elaborate vocabulary. The second section, in the form of several the restoration and the incredible effort appendices, gives an in-depth insight to the put in by those involved, not only the artists The 164-page book is split into two main wide array of conservation techniques working on the murals but equally those sections. The first section comprises the employed in the preservation process, with a involved in acquiring the building and report, which documents the project and thorough analysis of each individual mural and securing adequate funding for the project. It is divided into chronological sub-sections. the specific works undertaken. From the is a well written, comprehensive record of It starts by examining the history of the outset, the appendices seem like an onslaught the project and the author’s depth of church and the murals before going on to of repetitive information and what could knowledge, coupled with the manner of detail the regeneration of the entire potentially be a very arduous read. However, presentation, makes this book extremely building.Allardyce describes the story of the this could not be further from the truth. The accessible for both enthusiasts and those church, from the initial competition, won by works are logically segmented and each who have almost no knowledge of either Robert Rowand Anderson, to the section gives a holistic view of the works, the project or the process of conservation. commissioning of Phoebe Anna Traquair to sequentially examining ‘the condition before create the artwork. Traquair is described as conservation’, ‘the conservation treatment’ the first woman artist of the modern age and applied and finally resulting in an appraisal of NILESH MAHENDRASHAH
education
Contemporary Architectural Intervention
The work presented here shows the creative endeavour of some architecture students from the Edinburgh College of Art and the Edinburgh School of Architecture and Landscape Architecture. The task was to review/reconfigure the Glasite Meeting House with particular emphasis on street presence and universal access.
The students were obliged to develop an atti- tude to its historic fabric, cultural context, physical characteristics and potential revenue sources. Euan Leitch, AHSS Forth & Borders Cases Panel Secretary, attended the project reviews and helped foster some lively debate.
Mark Cousins
A selection of projects featured in the previous issue of the magazine.
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My proposal is to create a colonnade to accentuate the entrance and discretely integrate a level (wheelchair) access and new lift. Circulation within the building therefore will be improved with minimal disruption to the existing fabric. The prefabricated, structural, concrete ‘ribs’ will each be connected by a slender steel plate in an attempt to ‘…touch the building lightly’.
JUDY LINES
My vision is to remodel the Glasite Meeting House as a flexible venue My approach has been to explore two primarily aimed at hosting weddings and strategies: civil partnership celebrations. A new entrance offers a place to take photos on arrival, whilst providing disabled access Weaving Through Without 1. and increasing street presence. New Interfering bar/servery and kitchen facilities allow An organic ‘trajectory’ will be events to be fully catered in the Feast installed, it will wrap around the Room. The AHSS office will be relocated space, twisting into walls, floors, levels to a new zinc-clad rooftop extension, and enclosures. The trajectory will which provides a comfortable open-plan become a filter for film and still office which features a communal table for images. When turned off, the surface meeting + eating. has a satin-smooth quality, but when switched on, a grainy reverberation is CHRIS BEVERIDGE generated.
2. Punching Through to Provide the Necessary A brutal incision is made where alterations cannot be avoided, so a translucent cylindrical lift pierces the building. The language of the cut, its lightness, semi-permeability and plasticity contrasts with the solidity of the stone structure; making clear the new incision.
CASSIE KNIGHTS
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My aim is to enhance the presence of the Meeting House by inserting a multipurpose cafe/restaurant/bar space into the building’s ‘crypt’. Extending this programme into the adjacent lane creates a dramatic new split- level public plaza, which can be utilised by the AHSS and the community, while also facilitating easy access to the building.
DEBORAH PULLINGER
My proposal evolves from the specific spatial qualities of the Meeting House. The main hall becomes a sculpture exhibition space and the ground floor of the Barony Street townhouse is remade as a light and airy bookshop/cafe. Meanwhile, the corridor between them employs a moody charred oak ‘skin’ which leads you up to the new rooftop offices of the AHSS. This new element gives a street presence for the AHSS and open views to the converted Broughton Place Church.
MATT MACKINNON
They say, ‘Less is more’, but could we achieve a total revitalisation and transformation of the Glasite with the minimum amount of resources, energy and budget while leaving the old fabric intact? In my proposal an ephemeral structure breaks into the main space. It is an object that combines many different uses: conference room, bookshop, reading spaces, bar and ascending itinerary. The intruder challenges, contrasts and investigates both social and spatial opportunities: ‘All in one’.
ALBERT PALAZON
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Study Tour 2010
side from being a part of the country that I’m particularly Tioram. It is probably best if I do not use this platform to air my fond of, there is something strangely beguiling about the views on this somewhat forlorn structure: the debate is well West Highlands in May.The sun is often shining, the hoards known, and equally well-fought from both sides. However (I just ofA tourists have not yet arrived, and the midge has not yet reached can’t resist), I could perhaps allow myself to say that after many its peak. The narrow roads are blissfully free of coaches (yes, I childhood visits to Tioram during annual holidays to Ardnamurchan, know, we were on a coach too, but I don’t think the AHSS counts) to see the castle in its current state is heartbreaking. and the land seems to be just at its immediate post-spring best. But I have never covered quite so much ground, nor seen so many Now, the following should perhaps be heeded as a warning to buildings or taken quite so many photographs in such a short future Study Tour delegates. When the tour leaders state ‘make space of time! sure you are on the bus by X’, one really must make sure that you are. I managed to convince myself that our coach was waiting by Not only was 2010 a bumper ‘four-days-for-three’ extended ver- the Shiel Bridge for a final minibus-load from Tioram before set- sion, we did not even start in Rutland Square – instead the meet- ting off, and I therefore had plenty of time to take some photo- ing point was the decidedly less lovely railway station car park in graphs of said bridge. To see the coach driving off into the dis- Fort William. The plus side of this was that most of us got to enjoy tance was not a pleasant experience, but I stoically plodded on, a scenic trip on the recently commended West Highland Line from encouraging myself to believe that Kinlochmoidart House wasn’t Glasgow. We even got a free postcard advertising the accolades ‘that’ far away. About a mile down the road (with more than four bestowed upon the line, which only slightly compensated for the still left to go), that final minibus did indeed go past and I was pathetic decades-old commuter trains that Scotrail has relegated grateful of the lift to our next stop! to the line.
Barely minutes after arriving, we were off to our first two sites – two churches in Fort William, one very well composed Reginald Fairlie-designed number from the 1930s, and an exuberant 1880s example by Alexander Ross. I am afraid to admit that in all the years of passing through Fort William I have never visited either; both reserve their most interesting features to their interiors. The next visit was an important one in the composition of the study tour itself: Old Inverlochy Castle, where Kirsty Owen of Historic Scotland generously toured us round the castle after hav- ing driven from Longmore House for the purpose.
A little further along the A830 (our ‘backbone route’ for most of the trip) took us to Glenfinnan. I have never actually managed to make it to the superb museum and café during opening hours, so again this was a treat. I have visited Glenfinnan RC Church a num- ber of times before however and it is still as beautiful as ever in its strange, Satis House-style decay. Despite a somewhat happier end- Arisaig House ing being planned, I would still recommend that a visit be made before imminent repairs take their toll, though I am aware that this CastleTioram suggestion is perhaps slightly contrary to best conservation prac- tice! The first of two houses for the day, Slatach, was next – an intriguing hybrid of contemporary interior living with a tacksman’s house massing and external form. It worked, but then again Dualchas Building Design designed it –more on them later. Arisaig House was the final visit of this exhausting day, but it was simply wonderful. Whilst I would admit I was not so keen on the archi- tecture, the location, grounds and historical development of this important house and the plans for the future were all quite fasci- nating. A superb lecture from Mary Miers in our hotel and splen- did photographic opportunities over Morar Bay as the sun set ended the day nicely (see link at the end for online photos).
Day two took us to Moidart. After a brief stop on the road out- side Inverailort House (we were not able to visit, but it is too important to pass by without discussing) we continued to Castle
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Kinlochmoidart is yet another of these spectacular Highland sur- vivals, only narrowly avoiding imminent destruction after decades of abuse from the wild west coast wind and rain. But survive it did, thanks entirely to the tenacity of the owner who ignored advice to just pull it down. Its survival was also thanks to the rather fortunate planning of the house that allowed the archi- tects Simpson & Brown to divide the building into smaller man- ageable units by dint of only a few discrete walls in back corri- dors and a locked door. All the splendour of the interiors remains largely intact, in all that classic Leiper style.
Of the number of private houses that we viewed later that day, two particularly stand out. The first, Frisealach, might be famil- iar. Designed by Helen Lucas for her and her husband Malcolm Fraser, it perches lightly upon the shoreline near Roshven (which we also visited later on), literally opening up to views across the Sound of Arisaig. The sound of the waves, almost beneath your feet as you stand on the balcony, and the sound of the stream adjacent (which provides water, and in due course power) completely immerses you into the surroundings - truly wonderful. Equally splendid was Polnish House (and I do not just say that because it is owned by tour leader Adam). Built as a paired school and schoolhouse, the house has been added to and altered, whilst the surprising interior of the schoolroom has been retained as a very comfortable and wel- coming living space. Other visits that day included the afore- mentioned Roshven House, currently undergoing welcome restoration as a true 21st century shooting lodge, and Ephesus, just a little along the shore from Frisealach but a completely different response. Here the owners have succeeded in creat- KinlochmoidartHouse ing an incredible modern home, based on a theme of inter- related ‘ruined’ buttresses. Frisealach
The hotel kindly assisted us with our early morning start the fol- lowing day by providing us with only cold water for our baths and showers… Sure enough that got everyone going, and we left promptly at 8am, making good time to ensure we could browse the windows of all the closed shops in Mallaig before our ferry to Skye departed. Much like myself, Mallaig clearly does not do early Sunday mornings.
The first visit upon the Misty Isle was an intriguing little James Gillespie former manse (pre-‘Graham’ suffix). Whilst more famous for the spectacular Armadale Castle nearby (now described as a ‘sculptured ruin’) this lovingly restored home pre- dates that by seven years making it an important early exemplar of his work.
Next up was Sabhal Mòr Ostaig. We started our tour where the college itself started in 1973, and from where it gets its name, which could be translated as Great Steading of Ostaig. We were quietly reminded that the AHSS had in fact objected to the addi- tions and alterations carried out in 1994 (described by Mary Miers in her RIAS Guide quite accurately as ‘engulfing’) upon which we maintained a polite silence, and swiftly moved onto the new Árainn (centre, or campus) at Chaluim Chille! It was per- haps the unexpected nature of the decidedly urban modern archi- tecture in such a context, but I suspected it was not popular with everyone. I thought it a triumph however, and it sparked a debate in my head about contextual architecture. The supposedly con- textual architecture of the earlier campus is perhaps the
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approach that is normally expected in rural communities – large, arguably corporate architecture is normally thought ‘best kept’ to the central belt. But an approach such as this can be contextual – large airy, light-filled atria, roof terraces and seven-storey tower (how far do you have to travel to find a similarly tall building?) seemed to be perfectly suited to the rugged coastline and spectac- ular views. Studying here must be great.
Isle Ornsay is indeed lovely, but as you can visit at any time, I would leave it at a recommendation to do just that. The place next on our schedule is, however, well worth talking about here – The Shed at Tokavaig. Designed by Mary Arnold-Foster of Dualchas Building Design (I told you we would mention them again), this really was a revelation - incredible. Taking vernacular modernism to its apogee, I think I could speak for most of us when I say we would all like a Sabhal Mòr OStaig house like this one, especially one that almost ‘drinks’ the spectac- ular views of the Cuillins. Can you tell I was impressed?! The Shed
The infamous Skye Bridge dominated the rest of the day, in more ways than one. At the delightful Kyle House, a former tacksman’s house, we appreciated not only the way the house has evolved over the years, but also the gardens. Sadly parts of these were pur- chased from the then owner against her will by the Scottish Office to make way for the bridge. The same notorious, but beautiful, structure dominates Eilean Bàn. After the Scottish Office pur- chased it (as a gift, shall we say, for the private consortium that built the bridge) the Eilean Bàn Trust was granted a long lease. The trust celebrates the local wildlife and the connection to Gavin Maxwell, but as part of our visit we also saw Ian Begg’s sturdy Douglas fir hide, and ‘D&T’, Stevenson’s even sturdier lighthouse.
Before heading to our hotel at Kyle, we enjoyed drinks on the ter- race of Duirinish House. This 1930s house was charming, not least the Dutch gable added apparently to recognise one of the original owner’s family origins. The current owners of the house have put thing Bryce. I should add though, that the hotel itself is very nice enormous effort into restoring the house and the gardens, which indeed) but also afternoon tea only minutes later at the fine Inverlochy were very impressive indeed. A winding path circles the grounds, Castle Hotel, neatly tying in with our visit to the castle’s predecessor nicknamed ‘the M25’! The path, however, is infinitely more pleasur- that we visited only a few days before. I think this was probably as able to circumnavigate than its namesake, with the diversions lead- much an experience for them as it was for us – this is not a hotel that ing off to waterfalls, ponds and a summer house with views back has many coach loads arriving outside its fine Tudor-baronial porte- over to Skye where we had spent the morning. cochère, being much more at ease with the hotel-branded Rolls Royce sitting outside. Nevertheless they welcomed us in, and gave us more Our final day took us to Ian Begg’s Ravens’ Craig. I would admit that or less free reign of the public rooms, and a peek inside one of the I was slightly apprehensive about this, but I fell in love with it. As a suites. Perhaps this could be the base for the next study tour?! modern interpretation of a tower house, it works. Providing end- So, as I stated at the beginning, this was a very successful tour less fascination with its many nooks and crannies, every space is indeed, and, for me at least, was a fresh look at what I thought was used effectively and economically, in what must be an extremely a familiar part of the country. Enormous thanks go to Simon complex section. It is a lot of fun, and I think we were all very com- Green, Adam Swan and Caroline McFarlane (our illustrious and fortable indeed – so much so getting everyone back on the bus was erudite leaders), Mary Turner and Carmen Moran, and of course all a fair trial! But we had to press on… Ah, yes - to Eilean Donan, those property owners who let 50-odd inquisitive AHSS members everyone’s favourite 20th century castle. You might think that this descend upon their architectural gems. was an odd choice for an AHSS Study Tour – it is, after all, well known as a visitor attraction – but our tour leaders had arranged a TOM PARNELL special visit, away from the usual plethora of ‘this way’, ‘no entry’ and ‘no photography’ signs. We were taken up to the garret and allowed More photographs of the trip can be viewed online: out on to the parapet, seeing a part of the castle that, judging by www.itmpa.co.uk/ahss what we saw, is rarely used at all, let alone open to the public. All photograghs © Tom Parnell
Finishing off the tour in style, we were treated to not only coffee at the PS. The organising team were very touched by the heartfelt Glengarry Castle Hotel (a fairly straightforward David Bryce affair – expressions of appreciation received from tour delegates. nice if you like that sort of thing, but I have a certain disdain for any-
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44 group activities Dumfries & Galloway Group Activities
e opened the yearly programme in April with our AGM in Gatehouse of Fleet, which was followed by an excellent talk by Richard Haslam-Jones. He is recognised as one of the most experiencedW and qualified people in the cruise ship building industry today, and has been involved in the delivery of over 30 ships to their owners. His talk ‘The Architecture of Cruise Ships’ took us through all aspects of designing these huge structures and indicated the opportunity for archi- tects to express designs in a new environment in all range of styles. We saw the interior designer of the Disney ships working all his details in free- hand pencil followed by a team ready to make his instructions a reality at once. Our breath was taken away by the costs and speed of erection. Richard’s current order book contains 12 ships under construction in four RichardHaslam-Jones’ talk European shipyards for delivery between 2010 and 2012.
Due to volcanic ash, Richard had only arrived at Kirkcudbright at 4.00am that morning. However he gave a cool and informative talk that led to a lot of questions, which continued during the tea and cakes. This was a great talk which was an unusual subject for us but appreciated by all.
Our first bus trip was to Levens Hall with its famous topiary gardens, and Sizergh Castle and gardens in June on a sunny and warm day. Levens Hall is the family home of Mr and Mrs Bagot, and is the finest Elizabethan house in Cumbria. It contains oak panelling, a collection of Jacobean furniture, Cordova leather wall coverings, the earliest English patchwork, and many other beautiful objects. It is also said to have no less than three ghosts including a small black dog, but we were too early to see any of them. The world famous topiary garden, laid out in 1694, was a joy to walk around.
After lunch, we travelled to Sizergh Castle. A problem suddenly emerged: the bus could not fit through the gates! We had made a previous visit in a Some of our group enjoy Levens Hall Gardens. car and the National Trust’s staff said that all buses could pass through the narrow gates. James King’s modern buses could not because of the wide Levens Hall wing mirrors. Rosamond said ‘Never mind, we will all walk’ and disappeared in a cloud of dust. However for the less able, the staff rallied around and took us up the long drive in their own cars.
Originally built in the Middle Ages by the Strickland family, who still live there, this imposing house has an exceptional series of oak-panelled rooms culminating in the Inlaid Chamber. Portraits, fine furniture and ceramics accumulated by the family over the centuries are shown alongside recent photographs. A recent addition was one of the actual bowls used by Sir Francis Drake, just before the invasion! The garden includes two lakes and a superb rock garden, and there is a modern visitors centre with shop, where most members were seen licking ice creams. Back to the bus to return home after a most enjoyable day.
In July, we had a most informative talk from Robert Gemmell I. Eng A.M.Rae.S on Scottish heraldry. His talk began with an introduction, fol- lowed by the Achievement, Personal, Civic and Corporate Arms, then Shields, Tinctures and Metals, Shield sizes and parts, and finally the Charges, the Honourable Ordinaries and some Sub-Ordinaries. The talk was illus- trated by Robert’s outstanding drawings. We then enjoyed homemade cakes by members with tea and coffee, which gave more time to discuss the subject with the speaker.
JOHN LANE Chairman
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he Forth & Borders Group 2010 sum- Gunsgreen House concern about the future for the building. mer season began with the Group Subsequently we have learnt from the news- AGM, held in the new Garden Room papers that the building is to be sold. atT Broughton St Mary’s Parish Church.After the AGM Ben Tindall talked about the work The first lecture of 2010 was given by his architectural practice, Benjamin Tindall Malcolm Fraser about the buildings he has Architects, have recently carried out at the designed for dance, including Dancebase in Church, and members had the opportunity Edinburgh’s Grassmarket, the new Dance to tour the building. City in Newcastle, Scottish Ballet’s new stu- dio at the Tramway and rehearsal space for At the AGM Jocelyn Cunliffe, Group RSAMD in Garscube Road, Glasgow. Mark Conveynor, reported on the work of the Baines gave a lecture on ‘Exploring the Wall Group’s committee and the Group’s activi- – the Architecture of Alexander Thomson’. ties for the past year. The Committee has He placed Thomson’s work in the context of ten members: Richard Austin, Kitty Cruft, 19th century Glasgow and explored the Dominic Echlin, David Fleetwood, Simon architectural principles of the buildings rang- Green, Yvonne Hillyard, Shona Humphrey, ing from offices to warehouses and an early Caroline McFarlane, Tom Parnell and Jocelyn department store, from tenements to ter- Cunliffe. The Group bid farewell to Kitty races and villas, and, of course, his churches. Cruft, as for reasons of ill-health Kitty has The final lecture in the series was given by been unable to attend meetings and events Dr Dorothy Bell on ‘New Research and Old during the past year. She had been a member Edinburgh’ describing her research on what of the Group Committee since it was set up, Edinburgh Old Town was like in its prime. and has made a huge contribution to the She reminded us that until the 18th century work of the Society, the Forth & Borders Forth & Borders Group at Gunsgreen House the Old Town was a timber town. Group and Cases Panel. The Forth & Borders Group winter lecture A full programme of summer events was in During the year 2009-2010 the Group had series for 2009-2010 opened with a lecture progress when this report was written. an interesting and varied programme of by Paul McAuley on the ‘The Twelve Simon Green has led a successful and inter- events comprising four evening walks, one Monuments project –a collaboration esting walking tour in Leith and this is to be summer visit, two parties and six lectures. between the City Council and Edinburgh repeated in September by Tom Parnell. The World Heritage’. Our joint lecture with the Group held a convivial summer party in The events included an evening walk in the Garden History Society in Scotland was Rutland Square. Richard Austin hosted the Dean Village, led by David Fleetwood, which given by James Simpson on ‘The Rescue of evening at the office of the R S Macdonald included a visit to see the interior of the Gardener’s House for the Leith Walk Charitable Trust, and members visited the Drumsheugh Baths and the exterior of Botanic Garden’ tracing the history and RIAS, the Edinburgh Arts Club and the home Edinburgh’s first squash court. Simon Green recent rescue of John Adam’s little building of Robert Robertson - all in the Square and led a visit to Dumfries House, including a on the site of the original Royal Botanic a fascinating contrast of interiors. The stop at Galston to visit St Sophia’s RC Gardens in Edinburgh on Leith Walk. David Group ventured further afield with a trip to Church, designed by Robert Rowand Fleetwood, Dominic Echlin and Shona Eyemouth to see the recently restored Anderson with a dome based on Hagia Humphrey gave a talk in December showing Gunsgreen House, as well as the gardens of Sophia in Istanbul. Our second evening walk how much information about historic build- Colonel Simon Furness and Patrick and in 2009 was in Murrayfield. The buildings vis- ings can be discovered from the internet, Henrietta Simpson. The season’s events ends ited included two houses in Easter Belmont looking specifically at the area of Edinburgh with a walking tour in the Old Town of Road designed by Kininmouth and houses between Edinburgh Castle and George IV Edinburgh tracing the same route as the vir- by Robert Steedman (of Morris & Bridge and identified many useful websites tual tour of the earlier Winter lecture. Steedman), Mills & Shepherd and Ernst A as a resource and research tool for aspiring Auldjo Jamieson. Paul McAuley led two architectural historians. Already a full programme of winter lectures walks examining statues in George Street, for 2010-2011 is being planned, including and then to St Bernards Well designed by The Group held an excellent Christmas talks on ‘the Athens of the North’, Burgh Alexander Nasmyth. Both walks ended with Party at St Colm’s International House, an Schools, the planning of avenues, and ‘mod- refreshments hosted by Caroline and Arts and Crafts style house with elements ern’ houses, of the late 1700s and early Charles McFarlane at 10 St Bernards of Beaux-Arts detailing. The Group subse- 1800s, in the Highlands, plus an evening of Crescent. The Group held an enjoyable sum- quently wrote to The World Mission architectural films. mer party at Cramond and members were Council of The Church of Scotland as the welcomed to the exhibition in Cramond lease of Scottish Churches World Exchange DOMINIC ECHLIN Maltings. comes to an end in 2010 and we expressed Forth & Borders Group
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46 group activities Strathclyde Group – Chairman’s Report
e held our well-attended AGM on the 24th April 2010 in Pollokshields Church of Scotland HallW in Glasgow. Prior to the meeting, the Rev David R Black had kindly arranged for the church to be open so that we could view the superb stained glass windows, with work by Stephen Adams, W & J J Keir and Robert Arming Bell.
Following the AGM, Gillian Stewart, Glasgow Left: Pollokshields Church Glasgow Stained Glass, © Hamish Macbeth Building Preservation Trust, gave a talk on Middle: Audrey gets her tutu on for an impromptu performance, © Jeremy Watson the restoration of Maxwell Park Station, Right: Rehearsal Hall at Scottish Ballet Glasgow, © Hamish Macbeth which we then visited at the end of the day. Hospitality was provided for us there by Pollokshields United Reform Church. On 12 June we had a memorable day out Pollokshields Heritage Society, who have Created from the extensive restoration of a viewing two very contrasting architectural been prime movers in the efforts to con- beautiful turn of the (last) century church, highlights. In the morning, we enjoyed the serve the station. the Centre now houses a large auditorium sights and ‘hands-on’ experience of the Falkirk (seating up to 400), a lecture theatre seating Wheel, sailing up the canal in brilliant, sunny Prior to that visit, we were shown round the up to 150, seminar room, network suite with weather. In the afternoon, we had a conduct- Scottish Ballet premises in the Tramway 36 desktop computers etc. Russell Baxter, ed walking tour of the buildings of Culross, led complex by Cindy Sughrue, Chief Director of Archial Architects Ltd, was the by a very knowledgeable and interesting guide Executive/Executive Producer of Scottish architect for the creation of the Centre, and from the National Trust for Scotland. Ballet. The state-of-the-art building which he gave us a lecture on the project and a now houses our national dance company conducted tour of the building. Our summer activities are rounded off by a was designed by Malcolm Fraser Architects tour of the harbour developments in and opened in 2009. Our weekend study tour was to County Glasgow on 31 July, and a visit to the Durham, from Friday 14 to Sunday 16 May. Dumfries area on 21 August. We also visited The Fotheringay Centre, the A separate article gives a slightly tongue- result of an unique partnership between in-cheek perspective on our activities HAMISH MCPHERSON Hutchesons' Grammar School and there! Chairman, Strathclyde Group
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ach one of the 25 members of the suddenly decided to play loudly, and even Beamish, described as the ‘living museum of Glasgow branch will have come away when large heavy tables were repeatedly the north’, was not only fascinating but good from their trip to Durham in May with dragged along the flagstones. I learnt more fun. We had a ‘free flow’ morning there hop- Ea different highlight, such was the varied pro- about the building of pillars than I thought ping on and off old trams and buses when we gramme. Our chairman, Hamish McPherson, possible and certainly more than I will be wished and choosing which sight to see. You with the support of Hamish Macbeth, made able to remember in future; his enthusiasm could have a trip on a steam train pulled by sure that there was something for everyone shone through. a reconstruction of ‘Puffing Billy’ – the talk by to enjoy. Their illustrated guide lacked noth- the amusing young driver lasted far longer ing in the way of detail and provided a really We went next door to the 11th century than the journey itself. Scattered round the excellent account of the places visited. Durham Castle where we were guided by a large estate there was a home farm, a coal personable and most definitely audible young mine and pit, a small cottage in its original Of course we all knew before we got there woman. Perhaps the most atmospheric and state, a terrace of old houses appropriately that Durham was a cathedral city with a cas- oldest accessible part of the castle was the furnished for a doctor, a lawyer, a dentist and tle and a university; once there, however, you Norman chapel of 1078. After various secu- others, several shops (one selling only old realise just how much the town is dominat- lar uses it was reconsecrated after the war fashioned sweets) and a railway station. It ed by the many university buildings and the and is still used for weekly services. Bishop was a really enjoyable morning. wonderful cathedral, next to the castle, both Edward Maltby founded Durham University perched high up overlooking the town. We in 1837 and gave the castle to accommodate We travelled on to Gibside, which had been were lucky enough late one evening, through students and named it University College. previously owned by the Bowes-Lyon family, the kindness of one of our excellent bus but was now a National Trust property. We drivers, to have a tour round and round the The 13th century Crook Hall and gardens, saw the elegantly restrained Palladian chapel hilly streets with wonderful views of the just outside Durham, owned by Maggie Bell from which a mile long avenue leads to a clas- floodlit buildings looking very dramatic. and her husband, was a personal favourite. sical column surmounted by a figure repre- We had freedom to roam around the won- senting liberty. The guide in the chapel spoke Our first visit was to Durham Cathedral derful house and garden and then sit down with exemplary conciseness pointing out the where we divided into two groups. Our par- to tea or coffee with newly made scones, derivation of the architecture, alluding briefly ticular guide was Eric Frisby, whose words cream and jam. The White Lady ghost did not to the tombs in the mausoleum. Outside flowed effortlessly even when the organist make an appearance. another guide described the genealogy of the
2 3
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Bowes and Lyon families and their various we had gone to look round the museum with so fortunate with our two coach drivers – septs in loving detail. He dwelt at some its important textiles, tapestries and ceramics Stephen, a former head teacher and David, length on the life and loves of the ‘unhappy including Meissen, and its collection of works who had been head of modern languages – countess’ Mary Eleanor, who it seemed, was by Canaletto, Goya, El Greco and Boudin. It is their spoken contributions added much to both sinned against and sinning. said that the El Greco painting cost £8 as part our enjoyment and entertainment. of a job lot. We all crowded into a salon to In a way it was sad visiting Ushaw College, witness the display of the Silver Swan Anne and Hamish McPherson had visited the North of England seminary for the Automaton, purchased in 1872 but dating the area at least twice in advance of our trip training of Catholic priests, deacons, reli- from the mid-17th century. A young man to make sure that things would run smooth- gious and lay ministers, as it seemed rather (whose accent was rather difficult to under- ly – there are so many things which have to empty of students when we were there. stand) talked for about 10 minutes before he be organised – lunches, dinners, guides, Indeed the guide told us that if it were not switched on the swan. The actual performance hotel accommodation, comfort stops, for online students the college might be in did not last very long but we all felt that we coaches and drivers. They had arranged din- difficulties. Augustus Welby Pugin (hardly had seen something incredibly clever and ner in a Durham restaurant on the first anyone acknowledges his splendid Christian unique. evening within walking distance of our hotel names) was responsible for the building of and on the second evening we were trans- the original chapel – work began in 1844 Bowes Museum was designed by a Parisian ported to Lumley Castle, a 14th century and the building was consecrated in 1848. architect, Pellechet (1829-1903) in an osten- quadrangle castle at Chester-le-Street, By the 1880s the community had outgrown tatious chateau style specifically to house where we had a room to ourselves in splen- it and it was replaced by a new larger chapel the treasures gathered together over many did surroundings. designed by Dunn and Hansom. It was fin- years by the owner, John Bowes, and his wife ished in 1884. Pugin died in 1852 so he Josephine. Armed with a whistle, Hamish did his level never saw it completed but other members best to get people back to the bus at the of the Pugin family were associated with the Our last trip was to Raby Castle, built by the appointed time, but as we know very well college for over 100 years. influential Neville family. From across the from previous trips this is not always an park the impression was of a great medieval easy thing to achieve. Thank you to every- We had a marvellous lunch at Bowes Museum castle but closer inspection showed it to be one who worked hard to make this year’s where the chef had produced the most imag- more of a splendid Gothic revival mansion. annual study tour such a success. inative canapes I have seen for a while and the However, the kitchens preserved some of deserts were delicious. Important as that was, the original early medieval features. We were MURIEL DRAPER
Study Day: Falkirk Wheel and Culross
n 12 June 2010 a group of 15 members, including members Development Fund and others, the Falkirk Wheel opened in 2002 as a from Forth & Borders and Tayside Groups, took part in a visit major re-linking of the Forth & Clyde and Union Canals. contrasting the modern with the historic. O The wheel was designed and built by Butterly Engineering using We were blessed with a fine day and, fortified by morning Tony Gee and Partners for the structure and MG Bennett & coffee and warm scones, we set out for a rotation of the Associates for services as a part of the overall Joint Venture wheel. We were somewhat bemused with the resident Project headed by Bachy/Soletanche and Morrison photographer – reminiscent of childhood holidays on the Construction. Architectural services were supplied by Costa Clyde – whose best suggestion was to ‘put your Scotland-based RMJM, from initial designs by Nicoll arm round the person next to you and smile’. As I was Russell Studios and engineers Binnie Black & Veatch. sitting next to Ann McPherson (wife of our chairman
Hamish) I asked her if she felt this was appropriate to be John Smeaton, Wikipedia The wheel has attracted large numbers of visitors since told, ‘Oh, any Hamish will do’! Commons: Engraving opening in 2002 and the later completion of the missing Copyright Expired links means the waterway is now fully navigable with restored For most of the 20th century the Forth & Clyde Canal was not and new canal sections at Blairdardie and into Spiers Wharf.The valued properly and over a period of many years fell into total decline recent development of the new marina at Kirkintilloch (at the old and closure, with destruction of locks, infilling and being built over. boatyard slipway) and introduction of canal boats are hopefully signs Short-term expediency being a common and repeated mistake with of a burgeoning leisure industry. disastrous long term results – a lesson I fear we still have not learned. After a long period of reassessment, campaigning and with changing It was surprising to find almost no information being given about the attitudes, the re-opening of the Forth & Clyde Canal gathered momen- original construction of the Forth & Clyde Canal either on board or tum. It was with the founding of the National Lottery by the much- in the Visitor Centre at the Falkirk Wheel. The Forth & Clyde Canal maligned Conservative Government and the ensuing Millennium Fund was constructed to form a convenient east to west sea trade route by that made the regeneration possible. Led by British Waterways and connecting the Firths of Forth and Clyde. Most of the trade in supported by local authorities, Scottish Enterprise, the European Scotland from the 16th century onwards was with both the Baltic and
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The Group at the Falkirk Wheel © Hamish Macbeth
Culross Palace with Our NTS Guide Culross Abbey Church Memorial to Sir George Bruce © Hamish Macbeth of Carnock © Hamish Macbeth
The term ‘palace’ is an acquired one, as there The term Cistercian derives from was no royal connection with the building. It Cistercium, the Latin name for the village of was the home of a wealthy merchant, one Sir Cîteaux, near Dijon in eastern France. It was George Bruce (15465-1625). It was built in in this village that a group of Benedictine the late 16th - early 17th century. Bruce was monks from the monastery of Molesme a very prosperous merchant trading with the founded Cîteaux Abbey in 1098, with the European ports. It was routed along the 35 local ports and with the Baltic and the Low goal of following more closely the Rule of St mile long narrow point in the Scottish Countries, mainly in coal and salt, panning Benedict. Lowlands. It starts at the River Forth using a being a common industry of the Forth. He is short stretch of the River Carron close to reputed to be the first to sink a coal mine Eshewing the ‘worldliness’ of the Grangemouth and ends at Bowling where it under the sea. Benedictines, the Cistercian monks tried to connects to the River Clyde. There were reproduce life exactly as it had been in St links at Port Dundas for Glasgow and a fur- As a ‘Great Lodging’ it was built between 1597 Benedict's time and indeed perhaps surpass- ther extension in 1840 linking to the River and 1611 with much of the material being ing it in austerity. The reforms emphasised a Clyde at Whitecrook. imported as return cargo arising from his for- return to manual labour, especially agricul- eign trade. Typically Baltic pine, red pantiles, ture. With the spread of the order the Although commenced in 1768, the process Dutch floor tiles and glass were all imported Cistercians became the main force of tech- was a lengthy one with the canal only being (the pantiles generally being ballast). The exte- nological diffusion in medieval Europe (agri- completed in 1790 largely due to finance. rior boasts the use of crow-stepped gables, culture, hydraulic engineering and metallur- The canal was designed by John Smeaton FRS including a statue of a veiled woman posing on gy). The architecture of the Cistercians is (1724-1792), who was an English engineer. the gable step. The palace features fine interi- considered one of the most beautiful styles After brief periods firstly as a trainee lawyer, ors, with decorative mural and ceiling painting, of medieval architecture, but with the then as an instrument maker (he developed 17th and 18th century furniture and a fine col- Dissolution of the Monasteries this influence the pyrometer and a whirling speculum), he lection of Staffordshire and Scottish pottery. came to and end. went on to study many scientific fields Although never a royal residence, James VI vis- including fluid mechanics, thermodynamics, ited the ‘Palace’ in 1617. Part of the original medieval Abbey (with wind power etc. It was during these experi- Tower circa 1500 and Bruce Vault of 1642), ments that he propounded a theory of the With an increasing awarenes of the unique was incorporated into the present Church in relationship between pressure and velocity nature of Culross in the 20th century, The 1905-6 by Sir Robert Rowand Anderson in for moving objects in air, which was devel- National Trust for Scotland has been working 1905-6 following on previous repairs in the oped as ‘Smeaton’s Coefficient’. This would since the 1930s to preserve the buildings and early 19th century. later be used by the Wright Brothers in the their setting. Notable buildings in the burgh development of flight. After much research, include Culross Town House of 1626, former- Perhaps the most interesting feature is the he finally opted to concentrate on engineer- ly used as a courthouse and prison and a 17th elaborate memorial located in the original ing, becoming in effect, the father of modern century study or lookout. North transept to ‘Sir George Bruce of Civil Engineering and founded the Society of Carnock (builder of the ‘palace’), His Lady, Civil Engineers in 1771. He became a promi- For the serious minded we finished the Study His Three Sons and Five Daughters’ all rep- nent Civil Engineer being elected as fellow of Day by climbing the hill to see Culross Abbey. resented by carved alabaster effigies (by the Royal Society in 1753. Amongst many TheAbbey was founded in 1217-18 under the John Mercer), with the eight children kneel- prestigious commissions the most notable patronage of Malcom I, Earl of Fife, by ing in prayer and facing outwards. Adjacent was the construction of the third Eddystone Cistercian monks from Kinloss Abbey in to the church is Culross Abbey House of Lighthouse (1755-59). Moray.The Order of Cistercians is a Catholic 1608 in classical style (reminiscent of Inigo religious order of enclosed monks and nuns. Jones), which unfortunately is totally pri- Following our lunch in Charlestown we They are sometimes also called the White vate. headed for Culross for our guided tour of Monks, in reference to the colour of the habit, the Palace, Town House and Study. over which a black scapular or apron is some- Our thanks to the British Waterways staff at times worn. The emphasis of Cistercian life is the Falkirk Wheel, The National Trust for Our National Trust for Scotland guide was on manual labour and self-sufficiency, and Scotland at Culross and the Elgin Hotel who outstanding and had, not only a weath of many abbeys have traditionally supported accommodated us for lunch. information at his command, but was also themselves through activities such as agricul- very entertaining – a true find. ture and brewing ales. HAMISH MACBETH
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LadyfieldWest connecting the two sides. The cheese loft was These headings were then expanded with Sadly, controlled demolition has occurred situated at the house end of the complex. more detail and suggestions. reducing the house to a shell. Care seemed to have been taken with the dismantling, and the The cheese loft, although run down, has been Rockhall,Collin walls are now capped and salvageable items maintained to some extent.All fittings and fix- This tower house, now privately owned, was are stored. The house remains, however, very tures have long since gone although there owned in the Killing Times by the infamous much at risk. There is some talk of marketing seemed to be dumps of scrap lying around so Grierson of Lagg, supposedly responsible for the house but nothing very active is taking bits may still be on site. The owner wishes to the drowning of the Wigtown Martyrs. place. Ladyfield East, another small classical restore the building, using traditional materials, house nearby, is also boarded up and contin- which would then be converted into an An application has been lodged to convert the ues to be at risk. artist/craft studio finding a new use. nearby coach house into a garage. The coach house is on the point of collapse and restora- If the proposed eco-village on the Ladyfield As the Rhinns was the centre of the dairy tion would be very expensive; if nothing is site eventually happens, of which early plans industry in this part of Wigtownshire we feel done it will become a heap of stone. It is pro- and discussions have taken place, then these it is important that it is preserved, as this is posed to reduce it to a single storey using two houses would be incorporated into the one of the last of the cheese lofts and so many remaining walls with two garage doors. This is scheme. But this could be many years away! are now merely heaps of stone. not ideal but as it is so close to the house and as parts of earlier structures have already gone Dumfries& Stranraer Dumfries& Galloway this seems the only solution. The tower has Developers outwith the region seem to be DevelopmentPlan been well restored but is blighted by the close acquiring important listed houses in both Thanks to Martin Robertson, who spent con- proximity of this derelict building. these towns. These then seem to be aban- siderable time going through the new pro- doned and left open to vandalism. There posed development plan and has produced a PAT WOODLEY seems little that can be done to prevent this. very clear response; we were able to com- ment on many of the points raised. Mains of Cairnbrook,Leswalt The Cheese Loft All conservation areas should have character East Fife Both the Galloway Preservation Society and assessments made leading to Article 4 ourselves were asked by the owner if we Directions. Designs for housing in villages and would give our support to the conversion of the countryside should be more flexible, not ince the last report three new fac- this substantial two-storey cheese loft. Billy standard designs that all look the same. tors have been introduced into the Craig and I went over to see the building.This Statutory undertakers should be more aware controversy arising from the public turned out to be a complete complex of dairy of their wider responsibilities towards built Sconsultation regarding the St Andrews and buildings possibly mid-19th century, all in a very heritage, particularly in conservation areas. East Fife Local Plan. perilous condition. The buildings were formed The farming community should be encouraged around two U-shaped yards flanked by the cow to respect planning more. A flexible approach (a) The University of St Andrews has sheds, with the potato house and turnip house to the reuse of redundant rural churches acquired the Guardbridge Paper Mill site. It should be encouraged. National scenic areas comprises of approximately 37 acres on should be strengthened to give better controls the Eden Estuary and contains the substan- over development within them. Dumfries tial abandoned paper mill buildings and, it is Central Conservation Area should have those understood, areas with planning consent buildings and features identified which serve for housing. The University’s intentions for to preserve and enhance the character of the the site have not been announced but it is area and those that do not. A strategy should possible that its immediate demands for be prepared to enhance the protection of the extension of the North Haugh Campus on former and the eventual removal of the latter. lands between Strathtyrum and David
The Cheese Loft © Pat Woodley Russell Hall may not be so pressing. This would delight the strong local protest Rockhall, Collin © Pat Woodley groups.
(b) The extent of the recently announced financial cut-back in education may put the proposed New Madras College in jeop- ardy. Its provision and future close links with the University were key factors in the Local Plan.
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(c) Knightsbridge has issued details of its pro- development of the existing mansard roof to After almost everyone had assumed that the posed developments on the centrally-located St provide an extra storey and the inclusion of development of the Feedinch Golf Course had Leonard’s Lands. Included are 245 houses and new penthouse accommodation. The applicants been abandoned the latest owners have now flats. It remains to be seen whether this substan- claim that the additional areas of occupation are announced that they hope to get approval for tial infusion of housing will have a bearing on the required to meet the economic demands of a less ambitious scheme. Whether an 11th other proposed developments envisaged for the their business plan. There is a possibility that golf course within a three mile radius from the west of St Andrews. Progress has been made some architectural modifications may diminish centre of St Andrews will prove viable is a regarding the old Grand Hotel building. The the impact of the change and allay the fears of matter of debate. new owners have now made a planning applica- those who strive to preserve this iconic build- tion. The only major external change is the ing. This panel supports these efforts. GLEN L PRIDE
East Lothian
n the year up to April 2010 the East Lothian wise only general policies apply. The further have been conducted, would be the one type Cases Panel met 24 times, reviewed 558 plan- infiltration of the dreaded uPVC into conser- of conversion most certain of destroying all its ning applications and sent 194 letters of com- vation areas comes in the form of the conser- architectural or historic character and any true Iment. An average meeting lasts between two vatory or the window-walls of a sun room, and integrity it has as an example of agricultural and three hours, considers 24 applications, and even for replacement fascias for house roofs. heritage. A current application presents no generates 8 letters of comment. The group of Some general formulation such as, ‘No uPVC in evidence of condition or structural capacity, volunteers meets fortnightly at a member’s a conservation area, or in a listed building or but merely asserts that it is necessary to house in a different part of the Council’s area. its setting’, properly substantiated, is necessary replace the total roof coverings and wooden The panel examines all applications affecting to defend the historic environment. roof structures of a 150 years old listed listed buildings, all works in conservation areas steading, its doors and distinctive agricultural (including proposals by the Council), any other Similarly the need for under-tile ventilation shuttered windows, and to reorder it as hous- applications of merit, and allied matters raised occasioned by roof insulation has caused many es with new windows ‘designed to maintain its by members. Sites are visited by members, and roofslopes to break out in a rash of square agricultural character’. The changes to reorder sometimes the whole panel convenes at a site. lumps or gridded holes, normally in materials a similar grand listed steading as a commercial foreign to the roof covering, and so little or not concern appear to involve a much more exten- The panel’s work is often conditioned by the disguised. Such reckless assault on the tradition- sive conservation of the original fabric and cul- limitations of the current Local Plan. It was al appearance of roofs in conservation areas or tural integrity, and such alternative uses are drafted after the millennium, dusted off, on listed buildings, may be claimed as essential greatly preferred. amended and adopted in 2008, and is now to meet new building regulations and therefore used to manage the details of developments in to be excused. Such points of local ventilation Members of the Panel took part in a public building practice or construction, not foreseen, are generally inefficient, leaving pockets of stag- consultation exercise by the Council’s planning in nature or in degree, when the Plan was for- nant moist air. The same ingenious manufactur- team, to consider alternative locations for new mulated. The panel’s comments have to be ers which produce point vents, also produce supermarket(s) at Haddington, where Tesco framed in general terms, such as preserving the continuous over-fascia vent systems, which used have a central supermarket which appears to character of a listed building or of a conserva- with exit ventilation through the ridge, can pro- be the anchor for the continued prosperity of tion area, rather than invoking specific require- vide a much more efficient vent system which is the surrounding town centre shops. Tesco has ments that some materials or practices in that also virtually invisible, and allows the character planned to vacate the site in favour of an out context, should be avoided if approval is to fol- of the roof slope to appear unchanged. Hooked of town site, while proposing to fragment the low. A policy effectively prevents the replace- over a timber fillet the over-fascia vent can be central site to prevent a rival from using it. ment of original windows by uPVC framed used above a valley or lead gutter, or where Two other proposals for out-of-centre super- windows in a listed building or in the public there are no eaves overhanging. Again a simple markets have also been made. Members of the face of a building in a conservation area, but in statement of guidance in the Local Plan could Panel agreed in advising retention of a super- an extension to a listed building or in a new protect the historic environment. market at its central location, regardless of building in a conservation area, such unsuitable who ran it, and that only one out-of-town elements can be excluded only by reference to One of the saddest events recently has been supermarket was warranted. A secondary general policies. Such is the pressure by uPVC the premature withdrawal of the Memorandum exercise was to decide in which direction the salesmen that even in conservation areas own- of Guidance by Historic Scotland, before provi- town centre could best expand, and the Panel ers are persuaded to apply for uPVC framed sion of alternative guidance on many matters members suggested that as the risk of flooding windows at the rear of a house which has tim- which it covered so elegantly and fully. was no more than that of the existing town ber windows at the front: an absurdity in a nor- Without its detailed guidance on conversion of centre, expansion to underused land across the mal small house, which in the long term farm buildings, the appendix of the Local Plan Victoria Bridge was the nearest and therefore involves two quite different regimes of mainte- dealing with conversion of the grand steadings, the best option. Technology should be able to nance or repair. The Local Plan says nothing of for which East Lothian was famed, reads as avert the threat of occasional flooding if the replacement of front doors by uPVC doors, inadequate and incomplete. From grim experi- future prosperity of the town was in question. but these normally involve a replacement ence the Panel has been forced to conclude uPVC frame as well, which if it requires a tran- that conversion to housing of such a steading, BILL DODD som light can be claimed as a window, other- if carried out as recent steading conversions East Lothian Cases Panel
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irstly, updates on previously mentioned Hall by JM Dick Peddie and Forbes Smith (1915- Others were concerned that it was a little too cases. The proposals at Nisbet, Duns lie 16), and the Morning Chapel by WJ Walker Todd spare and that detailing was required to soften with the Scottish Government’s 1934-5, all working in Gothic. St John’s is a high- it slightly. This latter point could also be a means FDirectorate for Planning and Environmental ly active church, significant for the faith and of handling weathering to avoid staining, as Appeals and interestingly the case is being han- social functions it provides at the heart of found on the Museum of Scotland for example. dled by the same Reporter that overturned the Edinburgh. The church offices are currently There was an alternative strand of thought that City of Edinburgh Council’s decision on the housed in windowless rooms beneath the nave considered an extension to St John’s an oppor- Haymarket hotel tower. Consent was granted with inadequate ventilation and poor sound- tunity for Gothic architecture to be employed. for the demolition of the Madelvic Car Factory, proofing. Proposals would re-house these in a Despite having four periods of construction, all Granton. The glass extension to Panmure mezzanine suite within the Hall, and improve the designers have employed Gothic architec- House, Canongate was recommended for the basement WC and retail facilities, disability ture and it could be argued that the character refusal by Development Management but grant- access and heating system. Space would be lost particular to St John’s should continue to be ed permission by the Planning Committee and in the Hall due to improving the connections respected in the 21st century. A number of at the time of writing the Scottish Government between levels, and LDN have designed an Edinburgh churches have contemporary exten- has yet to make a decision on Listed Building extension to the east end of the Hall, on the sions: Colinton Parish Church; Marchmont St Consent. Permission was granted for a slightly terrace behind the dormitory wall. It is a light Giles; St Paul’s & St George’s; Holyrood Abbey altered version of the house proposed for the and angular addition with elongated fenestra- Church; and Greenbank Parish Church, all with Walled Garden at Thirlestane Castle with a tion, clad in stone with a zinc standing seam varying degrees of success. If the Gothic char- condition that the potting sheds were rebuilt. roof. The design, though modest in size, would acter of St John’s is to be maintained, an Curiously the planning officer acknowledged be an eye-catcher when glimpsed from Princes approach more akin to Lorimer’s 1909-11 addi- that a pavilion would have been preferable (as Street. The extension posed two difficulties for tion of the Thistle Chapel at St Giles Cathedral per our recommendation) but that the propos- the Cases Panel: firstly the necessity of the would have been more sympathetic in this par- als were acceptable. extension and its resultant financial burden on ticular instance. In general there was a discus- the congregation; and secondly the appropriate- sion of the modernist hegemony and a loss A similar proposal for the Walled Garden of ness of the architectural style. within the architectural profession of a Ayton Castle remains undecided; in this desire/ability to work in historicist styles of instance the designs seem to be inspired by an architecture. inter-war villa, not unattractive in itself, but too large for what was once a predominantly orna- In contrast to this are proposals to extend mental garden. It would appear on this occasion Bonnington House, Kirknewton, hopefully famil- that the planning officer is inclined towards iar to many members who have visited Jupiter refusal on design grounds, but more strongly on Artland. Although there has been a house on a policy against new housing in rural settings. the site since the early 17th century, the exist- The long term plan is to let the 19th century ing one is a neat classical house of the early 18th Baronial Castle to an hotelier. century subject to a Jacobean makeover in 1858 © LDN Architects by Alexander Black; a confection of buckle A particularly poor proposal exists for the quoins, Dutch gables and pepperpot corner tur- Walled Garden of Old Auchentroig, Bucklyvie, rets. General Roy’s map of 1747-55 indicates a itself restored as part of the National Trust’s Members of the Panel involved with a variety of square house with screen walls and projecting Little Houses Improvement Scheme in the local churches were wary of encouraging the 1990s. The garden is not large and a bungalow congregation to take a route that would require Bonnington House: Existing © Benjamin Tindall Architects with crow-stepped gables and astragaled win- significant fundraising or encumbering them dows is proposed for the middle of the site. with a large mortgage in what are hardly the The planning officer appears keen to refuse most prosperous ecclesiastical times. consent with our support. These cases suggest Furthermore, the nearby church of St George’s to me that a clear guidance on building within West on Shandwick Place has become redun- walled gardens should be developed by Historic dant as the congregations of St Andrew’s & St Scotland, enabling planning officers to make George’s West have opted to use St Andrew’s good decisions and giving applicants clearer on George Street. The Panel suggested that it direction on what is appropriate. could permit the shift of one of the current uses from St John’s to St George’s and recommend- Two cases in the past six months exemplify the ed a holistic view be taken by the City to ensure perennially thorny issue of extending a signifi- the future of these ecclesiastical buildings is cant historic building. The Church of St John’s is secure as a group. a familiar landmark in Edinburgh’s West End: a beautiful exercise in Perpendicular Gothic by In general, the Panel is in favour of contempo- William Burn (1818-19) and influential in estab- rary architectural additions to historic buildings lishing Gothic Revival in Scotland. The chancel and in this instance LDN’s design for the Hall was added by Peddie & Kinnear (1879-82), the extension found some support from members. Bonnington House: Propsed © Benjamin Tindall Architects
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© Benjamin 21st century construction. Given the already ters were quoted in the proposed additions to Tindall Architects high quality of the estate’s restoration we were Lamb’s House, Leith which adds a Georgian confident that that the combination of client and annexe and pavilion with an ogival roof of a dis- architect would, yes alter Bonnington House, but tinctly 17th/18th century appearance to the mer- enhance it and add another exciting layer to its chant’s house. development. No objections were lodged and Historic Scotland thought the ‘approach was sym- The applicant appealed and it was put before the pathetic to the building’s character’ and there Local Review Body which comprises members of ‘was scope for symmetrical additions of the high- the Council’s Planning Committee. The Society’s est quality.’ support at the pre-application stage was noted by them and, more interestingly to me, the lack of The City of Edinburgh Council however took a opposition from heritage organisations deemed wings on the east front but these were either different approach and felt that the four eleva- significant. I’m aware that we frequently offer removed or never built. Benjamin Tindall gave the tions were fully resolved and the proposals would constructive criticism but rarely supportive and it Cases Panel a pre-application presentation pro- privilege one elevation. As the evidence for the would seem that an absence of comment is read posing the removal of a late 20th century conser- wings is scant the project neither replicates or as support. The LRB overturned the refusal of vatory kitchen from the side elevation and build- restores and is therefore conjectural and against permission and the appeal against listed building ing one-storey wings over a basement with quad- the principles of the Venice and Burra Charters. consent lies with the Scottish Government rant screen walls connecting them to the house. The latter was also used to argue against work- Reporter who will hopefully be influenced by the The new wings would be classical in proportion ing in a historicist style, leading to a misreading of recent reversal. but with the Jacobean details of the main house. the history of the house and therefore planning It is a rare approach in extending a category A- permission and listed building consent were I would once again like to take this opportunity listed building but overall the Panel decided it was refused. There is a distinct impression that the to thank the volunteers on the Cases Panel who in keeping with the spirit of the place. We did CEC required a modernist approach for any addi- keep the discussions fresh and interesting with recommend that the detailing of the new wings tion to the historic building whereas the Cases their invariably well informed and professional should take inspiration from the sculpture collec- Panel accepted that contemporary detailing was contributions. tion (Jencks, Goldsworthy, Kapoor, Hamilton sufficient in differentiating new work from his- Finlay, Gormley to name a few) indicative of its toric. We also note that no conservation char- EUAN LEITCH
Strathclyde: A Tale of Two Parts
asework continues with the mix of small tions. Scale is also a factor and requires considered cases that we all experience as the core evaluation of proposed replacement buildings. Of work of the Society. Shop fronts and win- the three demolition proposals we commented on Cdow replacements are just some of the details recently only the one in Glasgow had a complete where alterations can add up to character presentation. Not so with the application to changes. demolish Arnott’s in Paisley’s town centre. Our objection has therefore to be based on the But we have experienced a complexity of outcomes department store’s importance architecturally and CandleriggsGlasgow –ProposedDemolition Site in the MerchantCity that often has links with the scale of an application. historically and its significance to the setting of For example in the simple area of shop fronts and Paisley Abbey. signage our comments fit the outcome and likewise with garages and extensions when the design has A few days later in the property section of the been resolved with pre-application consultation. Herald we read of a £4million regeneration proj- ect in Paisley town centre starting with the quote Window design can be more controversial partic- ‘...demolition of the landmark department store Garth Street –Howthe Threatened ularly now that Historic Scotland no longer refers Arnott’s’. The local authority, in partnership with Buildingin Candleriggs Could be Restored to the use of uPVC in its new guidance notes. For Park Lane, plans a mixed-use redevelopment of example an application for a listed terrace in Ayr, the four acre site. Because of the Abbey and the retained for future proposals. This could be more to which we had objected, was recently granted status of the Town Centre Conservation Area compatible with the successful and on-going THI consent for new windows in uPVC. It is most there is much to be discussed. instead of a temporary car park on a cleared site unlikely that the special proportions of two over with the potential for a big mistake. two with a central transom will be replicated in The Glasgow case mentioned was intent on pro- plastic. Another concern was the fact that there moting the total demolition of historic buildings At last we have had the opportunity to comment was no prior neighbour notification from South on a large site in the centre of the Merchant City. on the long overdue draft Appraisals of Glasgow Ayrshire Council. That they are somewhat decayed has been the City Centre and Glasgow West Conservation result of the delayed arrival of Selfridges. As this Areas. Both feature attractive layout, interesting ‘Regeneration’ is a magic word in the heritage development could still be sometime – or never – historical reviews and character portraits but will scene but usually involves controversial demoli- we suggested the buildings should be stabilised and the protection they appear to offer be seriously
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applied? Control policies are quoted at length, Edinburgh Gazette. The local press is another Google Earth or similar websites. This gives suggesting existing priorities remain. Will, for source, but not reliable as it can be very colloqui- information and perspective that perusing hard example, a high-rise development on a very con- al. And then there are the weekly planning appli- copies at a Council office does not offer. strained site at the corner of Rose Street and cation lists on-line which I look at each week. Renfrew Street in the Garnethill Conservation I also check their listed status and description on Area of central Glasgow be allowed? The site is Each Council makes their lists available on-line. the Historic Scotland website. (British Listed surrounded by low-rise listed buildings including These are fairly straight forward, if a bit daunting, Buildings is a new favourite as it gives location the Glasgow Film Theatre Art Deco cinema. St as they don’t filter out those applications we maps in various formats and aerial views Aloysius RC Church is the only large building but would not be interested in. Fortunately the small- http://www.britishlistedbuildings.co.uk/). even its scale would be over-shadowed. We have er Councils’ lists these days are fairly short. strongly objected. Both on-line air photos and listed status checks One then takes the application number and puts have flagged up issues I would not be aware of As for the West End Appraisal there is a it into the search point of the Public Access facil- from the submission information. And this has strange promotion of design intervention for ity of the on-line planning application system: E- been invaluable. A recent case was of an applica- some green sites which could certainly benefit Planning or the Online Planning Information tion for a listed building. The documentation from better maintenance but don’t need a System (OPIS). Although the various Councils showed that uPVC windows, an issue in them- complete make-over. Why should intervention use a central logging system, they each have a selves, were to be only for the upper floor of the for so-called ‘enhancement’ have to follow the slightly different way of getting to the links. And two-storey walk-up row house. A quick check template of a ubiquitous ‘modernism’ which many seem to try to make it hard to find one’s showed that the whole row of houses, about eight too often sees virtue in the denial of local way through on their web pages! Edinburgh is in all, was listed C(s), as one unit. Inexplicably the character? We would prefer to see a focus on quite good; Glasgow is not yet on-line. Council still granted this application. more pressing issues like an end to the over- development of Glasgow West. Anyway, once one is in and has found the par- As I occasionally act as agent for clients, I was ticular application, one has all the information very pleased to learn of Councils taking on On a more positive note we have been quite at one’s fingertips. neighbour notifications. But this does not seem impressed with Glasgow’s Planning Local Review to be getting through to the right people. The Committee, now handling appeals. Superior to I am an architect and find getting submissions aforementioned case is of particular concern. the former hearings, where debate was often on-line fairly easy and efficient. Location plans The downstairs neighbour only heard of the subject to political divides, the Review are easier to obtain and the Councils now even application through the grapevine. Committee seems suitably objective. The deci- do the neighbour notifications for us. sion notices we receive are comparable to the Wherever possible, we try to refer issues back reports from the Government's Reporters Unit, But approach it from the public side and the to SHEP or other documents and standards. if slightly less detailed. problems become evident. Another benefit of perusing local council plan- ning websites is that they have (or should have) A change, of varying success, is the use of elec- The first is that not everyone is comfortable their own area specific guidelines. Direct refer- tronic presentations now affecting casework with the on-screen digital environment. This is ence of cases to these, Local Plan descriptions procedures. Our caseworker Jeremy Watson will changing. If you are experienced at perusing and local conservation area documentation conclude the Strathclyde report with some com- drawings on a screen, then the scale doesn’t ties emphasises their context. ments on being ‘Totally Pixelled’. matter so much. The drawings are usually in PDF form, a format every computer comes So while there is a reticence to being weaned off AUDREY R GARDNER available with. What is a problem is that appli- hard copies and onto on-line systems, there are Chair, Strathclyde Cases Panel cants scan in drawings that are concept sketch- benefits and drawbacks to each. Few Councils es and even hand drawn! These come up on the are agreeable to sending us hard copies anyway screen so pixellated that they are often illegible. and getting in to see applications at each DIGITAL CASES – Large drawings will have a similar problem. Council is just not viable. The on-line system still COMPLETELY PIXELLED! needs to become more user friendly and plan- Another problem is that applicants do not ning officers need to insist on the quality of dig- ere is a new word for you: pixelled. It always include all applicable documents and ital documentation and comprehensive content. appears in web pages a lot, you think drawings. On large projects this is understand- you know what it means, even what it able. I always look for a drawing register, but What we would like to see is the continuing avail- Hfeels like, but you just can’t put a finger on it. few have one. A register will tell you if there is ability of hard copies, at least on request. Panel And Wikipedia just doesn’t help you either. anything else relevant to your review. If so, or members also gain from seeing the file history of Perhaps one day it will become common parl- if the drawings are indistinct, you can decide if contentious and complicated cases. So where do ance. This pretty well describes public access you need to go into the Council to view the we go from here? The system is still fairly new. to on-line planning. hard copies. You don’t have to sit with piles of Perhaps all involved can learn and with time the all the submissions, only one or two selected system will improve and so too will our ability to As a Strathclyde Cases Panel member from out- for closer inspection. negotiate through it. There remains the threat of with Glasgow, I endeavour to follow up on listed groups such as the AHSS being sidelined. We will building and planning applications in my area, I know the area around me fairly well and can just have to keep up the good work. West Dunbartonshire, and all those that fall visit the site or rely on personal knowledge. For within the surrounding Council areas. I usually those further afield, I use aerial, bird’s eye or JEREMYWATSON get notification of applications from The street view (where available) on Virtual Earth, Strahclyde Cases Panel
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membership 55 New Members March - August 2010 We warmly welcome the following new members to the Society. Your support is very much appreciated and we hope you enjoy your membership with the AHSS. Contacts: Mr Chris Beveridge Mr & Mrs Lance and Mr Matthew Mrs Mary Peck Mrs JMH Bower Rosalind Davis MacKinnon Mr Graham Steel AHSS NATIONAL OFFICE Ms Sylvian Braat Mr DJ Flaxman Mr Neil McLaughlin Mr Edward Taylor Administration / Membership: Mr James Carefoot Mr Trevor Harding Ms Marion McRae Mr Iain Tinsdale Carmen Moran, Mary Turner Mrs Fiona Coutts Mrs Monica Higgins Mr Eoin O’Leary Ms Jennifer Webb The Glasite Meeting House 33 Barony Street The Society’s Corporate Members are: Edinburgh EH3 6NX Tel: 0131 557 0019 Anderson Bell Christie Architects National Gallery of Art, Washington Fax: 0131 557 0049 Appleton Partnership RCAHMS Email: [email protected] Art Institute of Chicago RIBA Library Benjamin Tindall Architects Swets Information Services Ltd Craigleith Masonry Company (Scot) Ltd. T Graham & Son (Builders) Ltd DUMFRIES & GALLOWAY Edinburgh City Libraries The Morrison Partnership Sue Douglas Gray, Marshall & Associates The Robert Gordon University High Arkland Historic Scotland Technical The Royal Incorporation of Architects in Castle Douglas, DG7 1TA Conservation Group Scotland Tel: 01556 680 268 Keppie Design Ltd Tod & Taylor Architects Email: [email protected] LDN Architects University of Edinburgh, Morris & Steedman Architectural Library FORTH & BORDERS Dominic Echlin The Society’s Educational Members are: c/o The Glasite Meeting House 33 Barony Street Centre Canadien d’Architecture Paul Mellon Centre Edinburgh College of Art Library Swets Information Services Ltd. Edinburgh EH3 6NX Historic Scotland Library, The Mitchell Library Tel: 0131 229 5553 Room G55 University of St Andrews Email: [email protected]
HIGHLAND Membership Update Colin Munro 62 Academy Street HOW TO PAY Inverness, IV1 1LP Over the last year, we spent some time membership, you will have to contact your bank investigating the possibility of introducing Direct to notify them of the changes. Email: [email protected] Debits as a payment option. Unfortunately, we Cheque: Please make cheques payable to ‘AHSS’ have come to the conclusion that it is too costly and send them to the National Office. Writing NORTH EAST a system for the Society to implement. We are your membership number on the back of the Sheila Rhind very sorry for any inconvenience caused. cheque can help us identify the payment more Balbridie, Crathes There are currently three ways to pay your easily. Banchory, AB31 6JA annual membership fee: Paypal: Paypal allows you to pay securely online Tel: 01330 844 734 Standing Order: Standing Orders can be set up by credit or debit card. To use this system, please Email: [email protected] to pay a fixed amount on a regular basis. They let us know, and then we can send you a PayPal can only be modified by the paying account invoice, which will be emailed to you with full holder, i.e. you. This means that if subscription instructions on how to pay. You will have to sign STRATHCLYDE rates increase, if you change your membership up for a PayPal account, which is free. For more Hamish McPherson category, or if you decide to cancel your information, please visit www.paypal.co.uk Tobacco Merchant’s House 42 Miller Street MEMBERSHIP CARDS Glasgow G1 1DT Please note that as of March 2010, we have membership, please do not hesitate to contact Tel: 0141 576 5934 stopped issuing membership cards, which will Carmen Moran at the National Office – Email: [email protected] allow us to save valuable resources and staff Tel: 0131 557 0019 (Tuesdays & Wednesdays), time. If you have any queries regarding your Email: [email protected] TAYSIDE & EAST FIFE Adam Swan MEMBERSHIP RATES (as of April 2009) 1 Panmure Terrace Single: £30p.a. Family: £42.50p.a. Student: £14.50p.a. Dundee, DD3 6HP Educational Body: £60p.a. Small Charity: £42.50p.a. Corporate: £120p.a. Tel: 01382 201 094 Life: £600 Life 65y+: £300 Email: [email protected]
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Autumn / Winter Programme 2010/11 diary Members are welcome to attend any activity or visit organised by any of the local groups. Please contact the group directly for further details.
NATIONAL Monday 4 October 2010 STRATHCLYDE GROUP 2010 Professor Charles McKean – Please see the enclosed flyers or ‘The Athensre-branding of Winter Lecture Series Lectures are held in Adelaides, contact the National Office for more Edinburgh’ 209 Bath Street, Glasgow. information and booking. Charles McKean is a distinguished 7.30pm: Coffee; 8.00pm: Lecture OCTOBER architectural historian, author and Chairman For further information, contact Audrey Gardner of Edinburgh World Heritage. 2 D&G visit to Hallmuir Friday 15 - Sunday 17 October 2010 – 0141 339 1205 POW Chapel and Ginockie Sermons in Stone: To we r Butterfieldand Cathedral Monday 1 November 2010 Thursday 21 October 2010 4 F&B Winter Lecture: of the Isles in context Sarah Couch – Joint Andrew Young – The Athens re-branding of Please see flyer for further details. In Lecture withThe Garden ‘Edwin Lutyens 1869-1944’ collaboration with the Cathedral of the Isles Edinburgh and College of the Holy Spirit History Society on ‘the Thursday 18 November 2010 9 D&G talk – Thinking & Layout & Planningof Simon Inglis –‘Played in Making, the craft of Saturday 30 October 2010 Avenues’ architecture Annual General Meeting Sarah is an architect, also qualified in heritage Glasgow: charting the heritage 15-17 Sermons in Stone, This year’s AGM will be held at the National landscape and horticulture. She has worked of a city at play’ Headquarters, the Glasite Meeting House, 33 on many historic landscape projects, The Cathedral of the Isles Barony Street, Edinburgh EH3 6NX. combining this with teaching and lecturing. 16 December 21 SC Winter Lecture: ChristmasParty Edwin Lutyens Friday 6 - Monday 9 May 2011 Monday 6th December 2010 Collins Gallery, Glasgow 30 National AGM NationalSpring StudyTour Please see enclosed flyer for details The Three Firths Tour: Beauly, Cromarty & An evening of Films by Dornoch. Please see enclosed flyer for Murray Grigor – ‘Space & Thursday 20 January 2011 NOVEMBER details. 1 F&B Winter Lecture with Light’ and ‘Space & Light Peter Burman –‘St Paul’s the GHS: The Layout & Revisited’. Cathedralin the early 20th DUMFRIES & GALLOWAY Murray Grigor is a Scottish writer, film-maker, Planning of Avenues exhibition designer and Visiting Professor century’ 18 SC Winter Lecture: Saturday 2 October 2010 within the Cambridge School of Art. Since Played in Glasgow the 1960’s Grigor has produced a number of Thursday 17 February 2011 Hallmuir POW Chapel and award winning films about artists, architects 27 D&G talk by Rob Close Gordon Urquhart – GinockieTower and key Scottish buildings. Murray Grigor will Visit to the Hallmuir POW Chapel near introduce and we will be showing two films ‘Architectsof Glasgow’s West DECEMBER Lockerbie in the morning, with lunch to be of Gillespie Kidd & Coia’s St. Peter’s End’ 6 F&B Winter Lecture: arranged, and afternoon at Ginockie Tower, Seminary, Cardross. the Clan Armstrong Centre near Langholm. Thursday 17 March 2011 Films by Murray Grigor Cost £10 for entrance fees, not including 8 F&B Christmas Party lunch. Monday 7 February 2011 James MacAulay – ‘Another 11 D&G Christmas Lunch Professor Robert Anderson book on Mackintosh?’ Saturday 9 October 2010, 2.15pm 16 SC Christmas Party – ‘Burgh Schools and April 2011 ‘Thinkingand Making, the Academiesin Scotland Craft of Architecture’ 1780-1880: an Architectural Group AGM, A talk by Gordon Murray, a well known Date and details to be confirmed. Scottish architect on the work of his office. Legacy’ 2011 Venue: Gordon Memorial Hall, Gastle Between about 1780 and 1880 a remarkable Friday 6 - Sunday 8 May 2011 Douglas. Cost: £6 for D&G members, £8 for and distinguished set of buildings for JANUARY non-members. secondary schools was created in Scotland. Group StudyTour of Norfolk 20 SC Winter Lecture: Robert Anderson will illustrate the Please see enclosed flyer for details Conservation and Creation Saturday 27 November development of this tradition, and explain how the schools’ architectural form was James Morris shaped by their organization and teaching TAYSIDE & EAST FIFE FEBRUARY A talk by Rob Close, architectural historian, methods. Robert Anderson teaches at the followed by refreshments. James Morris was School of History, Classics and Archaeology, Details of the 2010-2011 series of Dundee 7 F&B Winter Lecture: an important Ayrshire architect, who from University of Edinburgh. Burgh Schools and 1886 to 1896 practised in both Ayr and Conservation Lectures will be available Academies in Scotland London. This arrangement is uniquely online at reflected in his characteristic style. 17 SC Winter Lecture: Monday 7 March 2011 http://www.dundee.ac.uk/planning/ Catstrand, New Galloway. Cost for D&G events/conserv Architecture of Glasgow’s members £6, non-members £8. Dr Daniel Maudlin– ‘the West End HighlandHouse The lectures are on Tuesdays, at 6pm, at Saturday 11 December 2010, 12.30 Transformed: Modern University Tower Building, Perth Road, from 5 October to 30 November 2010 MARCH ChristmasLunch Homes for ModernPeople’ The AHSS Chairman will be welcomed. (excluding 2 November) and 25 January to 7 F&B Winter Lecture: Daniel Maudlin is Senior Lecturer at School Selkirk Arms, Kirkcudbright; cost: £20. 22 March 2011 (excluding 27 February). The Highland House of Architecture and Design, University of Plymouth. He has researched and published Free of Charge. Transformed Tuesday 21 - Thursday 23 June 2011 widely on vernacular housing and building in 17 SC Winter Lecture: Coach trip to Perth C18th and C19th Scotland. Another Book on Details to be confirmed. OTHER EVENTS Mackintosh? Monday 28 March 2011 Friday 24 September 2010 28 F&B Winter Lecture: FORTH & BORDERS Simon Groom – ‘Pride and Rural Churches Seminar Pride and Patronage – Patronage – the art of Maintenance, conservation, new uses, adaptations the art of commissioning Lectures will take place at the Society’s and extension of existing rural churches within an National Headquarters, the Glasite commissioning’ Simon Groom, Director of Modern and understanding of the rural economy and Meeting House, 33 Barony Street, democratic change. The seminar will take place MAY Contemporary Art at the National Galleries Edinburgh, on Mondays at 6.30pm. of Scotland, will talk about commissioning at the RIAS, 15 Rutland Square, Edinburgh. Please 6-8 SC Study Tour of Norfolk Admission: £5 / £2.50 students. Tickets contemporary art with special reference to contact Ian Appleton for further details: 6-9 National Spring Study Tour for all 6 lectures: £25. Jupiter Artland. [email protected]