SIR BASIL SPENCE’S CANONGATE HOUSING Edinburgh

Conservation Statement Simpson & Brown Architects August 2013

Front cover: General view of the rear courtyard showing Block 3, 3 Brown’s Close. (S&B)

Contents Page

1.0 EXECUTIVE SUMMARY 2 2.0 INTRODUCTION 5 2.1 Objectives of the Conservation Statement 5 2.2 Study Area 5 2.3 Heritage Designations 6 2.4 Structure of the Report 7 2.5 Adoption & Review 7 2.6 Other Studies 8 2.7 Limitations 8 2.8 Project Team 8 2.9 Acknowledgements 8 2.10 Abbreviations 9 2.11 Architect References 9 3.0 UNDERSTANDING SPENCE’S CANONGATE HOUSING 11 3.1 Introduction 11 3.2 Historical Background 11 3.3 Commissioning & Design 20 3.4 Construction & Completion 25 3.5 Critical Reception 29 3.6 Contemporary Comparators 30 3.7 Architects’ Biographies 35 3.8 Summary Historical Development 37 3.9 Later Alterations 38 3.9 The Canongate Housing Development Today 39 4.0 ASSESSMENT OF SIGNIFICANCE 43 4.1 Introduction 43 4.2 Historical Significance 48 4.3 Aesthetic and Architectural Significance 49 5.0 GRADING OF SIGNIFICANCE 51 5.1 Introduction 51 5.2 Graded Elements 51 6.0 CONSERVATION ISSUES & RECOMMENDATIONS 55 6.1 Conservation Issues 55 6.2 Recommendations 69 7.0 APPENDICES 76 Appendix I: Listed Building Report 76 Appendix II: Conservation Area Boundary Map 79 Appendix II: World Heritage Site Boundary Map 81 Appendix IV: Sir Basil Spence Archive Manuscript Transcriptions 83 Appendix V: Cost Banding 96

Sir Basil Spence’s Canongate Housing – Conservation Statement 1 1.0 EXECUTIVE SUMMARY Sir Basil Spence’s Canongate Housing development is a category B listed complex of housing blocks located on Canongate in the Old Town of Edinburgh. The development consists of three blocks: two linear blocks that face Canongate and one smaller block set behind on Brown’s Close. In total there are thirty flats – a mix of one and two bedroom flats and some studio apartments, arranged in five communal stairs with two flats on each of the first, second and third floors. The ground floor levels are occupied by a total of three commercial units, a public house and a number of storage areas and open pends that connect Canongate and Brown’s Close to rear courtyard areas – roughly following the pattern of closes that pre- existed the development. Sir Basil Spence is one of Scotland’s, and the UK’s, most famous 20th century architects, famous for major housing, commercial and public commissions across the UK and worldwide, particularly in the 1960s and early 1970s. His roots in the Scottish vernacular modernism of the inter-War and immediate post-War years remained with him throughout his career, despite ever-bolder Brutalist schemes. This apparent dichotomy was a key thread of Spence’s practices – and one that he was often criticised for from both sides of historicist and modernist debates. The Canongate Housing is a particularly interesting example of his attempts to marry both a contextual use of materials – in this case, rubble stone walling - with modern monopitch roofs and distinctive cast in situ concrete elements. The sensitivity of Spence and his Edinburgh practice towards the scale of the Old Town is of note, as is the acknowledgement of historic closes whose tenements had been demolished by the Corporation even before Spence had been appointed. This is matched by his concern shown towards historic buildings of note in the immediate surroundings that survived – particularly in the framing of the Canongate Manse. The overall level of significance of the building is considerable. A number of individual features are of moderate or neutral significance, with the distinctive cast in situ concrete balconies, canopies, vaults and external stair all being of considerable significance – representing as they do a clear link to the wider Spence oeuvre, and to a distinctive period in 20th century architecture. Elements of considerable significance should be retained and respected as part of any future alteration of the building. Elements of moderate significance should be retained wherever possible, whilst areas of neutral or negative significance may provide opportunities for alteration, restoration or enhancement. Where elements of considerable significance have been altered, there is an opportunity to remove later alterations which have diminished the significance of that element – for example later fenestration to the balcony areas, or painted concrete features. With wider concerns relating to modern environment standards and the application of these standards to post-War listed buildings, there is an exceptional opportunity to explore ways in which these popular and well-liked homes can be upgraded whilst maintaining that which is culturally significant. In particular, if ways can be found that both improve the energy efficiency of these buildings and create an opportunity to consistently restore or repair features across the development, then there is the potential for this to serve as an exemplar project to similar listed buildings elsewhere.

2 Sir Basil Spence’s Canongate Housing – Conservation Statement

Figure 1 Oblique aerial view from the south showing the Canongate running from west-east (left-right), and the three Canongate Housing blocks at the centre. Bing.com

Figure 2 General view showing the rear courtyard and block 3, no.3 Brown’s Close. S&B

Sir Basil Spence’s Canongate Housing – Conservation Statement 3

Figure 3 Extract from the Ordnance Survey Explorer series (1:25,000) with location of study area circled. Ordnance Survey © Crown copyright All rights reserved. Licence number 100006772

Figure 4 A vertical satellite view centred on the Canongate Housing. Google

4 Sir Basil Spence’s Canongate Housing – Conservation Statement 2.0 INTRODUCTION 2.1 Objectives of the Conservation Statement This conservation statement has been commissioned by Edinburgh World Heritage, as part of a wider study run in conjunction with the City of Edinburgh Council and Historic Scotland. Although the report has not been commissioned by the various owners of property in the study area, the study is being carried out with their assistance. The aim of this report is to inform the possible future conservation, repair, and energy efficiency enhancement of the housing development. It should inform future proposals for conservation and alteration. The history and significance of the housing development has been analysed. This conservation statement has been prepared as an appraisal of the heritage value of policies and setting, and provides an examination of key conservation related issues and guidelines regarding the site. A conservation statement assesses and sets out in summary what is important about a heritage site. The information gathered is considered in a brief assessment of cultural significance, for the site as a whole and for its various parts. It is summarised in this report in a statement of significance. The purpose of establishing the importance of the site is to identify and assess the attributes which make a place of value to our society. Once the heritage significance of the Canongate Housing development is understood, informed policy decisions can be made which will enable that significance to be retained, revealed, enhanced or, at least, impaired as little as possible in any future decisions for the site. A clear understanding of the nature and degree of the significance of various parts of the study area will not only suggest constrains on future action but it will introduce flexibility by identifying opportunities for adaptation, enhancement and development. From all of this information it is possible to establish a set of policies, or guidelines, that will inform the future conservation, repair, management and alteration of the buildings according to best conservation practice.

2.2 Study Area The Canongate Housing development is located on the north side of Canongate in the Old Town of Edinburgh. The study area of this report comprises the three blocks of housing that were developed by the Edinburgh Corporation in the late 1960s – this includes two blocks facing Canongate and one block on Brown’s Close. ‘Block 1’ as referred to in archival drawings, and in this report, comprises 97-103 Canongate; ‘Block 2’ comprises 67-71 Canongate and what is referred to in this report as numbers 1 and 2 Brown’s Close; and ‘Block 3’ is what is referred to in this report as 3 Brown’s Close. It should be noted that the Royal Mail addressing protocol for closes and wynds in Edinburgh’s Old Town is that they are given a number on the street from which they lead – the properties on Brown’s Close are therefore at 65 Canongate. The report makes occasional references to surrounding buildings closely related to the site – such as the Younger Memorial Hall and the Canongate Manse in Reid’s

Sir Basil Spence’s Canongate Housing – Conservation Statement 5 Court – but these should not be considered a focus of the report, nor have they been included in the assessment of significance or recommendation sections. The majority of the residential units are now in private ownership. The study area is shown on Figure 5.

Figure 5 c1965 site plan. Blocks 1, 2 & 3 are the focus of this report. RCAHMS SC1015603

2.3 Heritage Designations 2.3.1 Listed Buildings Blocks 1 (97-103 Canongate), 2 (65-71 Canongate & 1-2 Brown’s Close) & 3 (3 Brown’s Close) are listed collectively at category B (HB number: 51172). The three buildings were listed in September 2008. The listed building report is included in Appendix I. A category B listed building is recognised as being of regional, or more than local importance, or a major example of some particular period, style or building type – which may have been altered. 2.3.2 Scheduled Ancient Monuments The site is not recognised as a Scheduled Ancient Monument (SAM), nor is it located in the immediate vicinity of a SAM. 2.3.3 Conservation Area The site is within the Old Town Conservation Area. This was first designated in July 1977, with subsequent amendments in the 1980s and 1990s. The current Character Appraisal was approved in February 2005. The boundary map of the conservation area is included in Appendix II. It is pertinent to note that the housing complex is not mentioned at any point in the Old Town Conservation Area Character Appraisal.

6 Sir Basil Spence’s Canongate Housing – Conservation Statement 2.3.4 World Heritage Site The Canongate Housing site is within the boundaries of the designated Old and New Towns of Edinburgh World Heritage Site. The boundary map of the World Heritage Site is included in Appendix III.

Figure 6 The roofline of the Canongate Housing as seen in the context of neighbouring buildings in the conservation area – the pagoda roof is the maltings of the former Balmoral Brewer. S&B

2.4 Structure of the Report This conservation statement follows the guidelines set out in the Heritage Lottery Fund’s Conservation Management Planning (April 2008) document, (which supersedes the Heritage Lottery Fund Conservation Management Plans Checklist, Conservation Management Plans Model Brief and Conservation Management Plans: Helping your application (2004)); Historic Scotland’s document Conservation management plans: A Guide to the Preparation of Conservation management plans; English Heritage’s Conservation Principles, Policies and Guidance…(2008); The Conservation Management Plan 5th Ed. (The National Trust of Australia, 2000) by James Semple Kerr; and The Illustrated Burra Charter: Good Practice for Heritage Places (Australia ICOMOS, 2004) by M Walker and P Marquis-Kyle. Reference is also made to the British Standard BS 7913 – Guide to the Principles of the Conservation of Historic Buildings (1998).

2.5 Adoption & Review This conservation statement is to be used by Edinburgh World Heritage, stakeholders, consultants and, as appropriate, by individual owners and residents to aid in the sensitive and appropriate management and ongoing use of this historic building complex.

Sir Basil Spence’s Canongate Housing – Conservation Statement 7 2.6 Other Studies The report has been commissioned as part of a wider programme of studies, including a concrete analysis and energy efficiency analysis being carried out by the City of Edinburgh Council and Historic Scotland, respectively. The three reports will help to inform a wider project to investigate methods of improving the energy efficiency of this building complex, but it is anticipated that this will increase understanding of how to improve other similar post-War listed buildings.

2.7 Limitations Research The Sir Basil Spence and Spence, Glover & Ferguson archives held by the Royal Commission on the Ancient and Historical Monuments of Scotland were consulted for this report, as well as general archive material held by them and from elsewhere. It is always possible that further information will become available after the completion of this report. Any new information should be acknowledged by the stakeholders and incorporated into future revisions of the conservation statement. Physical Investigation & Access Site visits were carried out at stages in the production of this report, including an evening spent visiting some individual properties. These were informal visits intended to give an overall impression of the variety of different residential properties in the study area. No detailed inspection, nor any opening up, was carried out.

2.8 Project Team The study team from Simpson & Brown comprised John Sanders & Tom Parnell. John Sanders is a Partner at Simpson & Brown. Tom Parnell is an associate and architectural historian with the firm.

2.9 Acknowledgements Simpson & Brown gratefully acknowledges the assistance provided by the following persons, archives and organisations during the completion of this report: · Chiara Ronchini, Edinburgh World Heritage · Carsten Hermann, Historic Scotland · Carol Duncan, City of Edinburgh Council · Residents in the study area who assisted in the site visits · Simon Green, RCAHMS This report contains licensed images from the Royal Commission on the Ancient and Historical Monuments of Scotland. To view these images online, please consult http://www.rcahms.gov.uk/canmore.html This report contains maps reproduced by permission of the Trustees of the National Library of Scotland (NLS). To view these maps online, see http://www.nls.uk/

8 Sir Basil Spence’s Canongate Housing – Conservation Statement 2.10 Abbreviations A number of abbreviations have been used throughout this report and are identified as follows:

CEC – City of Edinburgh Council OS – Ordnance Survey EWH – Edinburgh World Heritage RCAHMS – Royal Commission on the Ancient and Historical Monuments of HS – Historic Scotland Scotland NAS – National Archives of Scotland S&B – Simpson & Brown Architects NLS – National Library of Scotland

Unless otherwise stated, all photographs have been taken by Simpson & Brown.

2.11 Architect References Over the timescale of the commissioning, design & construction of the project, the practice name of the Edinburgh practice of architects that were involved changed. The practice was known as Basil Spence & Partners in 1959. By the time of completion in 1968, the Edinburgh office was known as Sir Basil Spence, Glover & Ferguson – it is this name that is generally referred to in in the report. It should also be noted that Sir Basil Spence was knighted in 1960, after his practice was commissioned for the Canongate project, nevertheless, he will be referred to as such throughout the report.

Figure 7 2012 view of the rear elevation of block 1. S&B

Sir Basil Spence’s Canongate Housing – Conservation Statement 9

. RCAHMS SC792276 RCAHMS c1965 presentation drawing showing the elevation to the Canongate.

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10 Sir Basil Spence’s Canongate Housing – Conservation Statement 3.0 UNDERSTANDING SPENCE’S CANONGATE HOUSING 3.1 Introduction An understanding of how the building has reached its present form will help determine the importance of various elements of the site, which will then inform policies, or guidelines for management and alterations. Research was undertaken during the time available for the completion of this report. This conservation statement intends to provide a summary view of the historical development of the building complex and its landscape setting, but further research may be possible.

3.2 Historical Background 3.2.1 Early History The Canongate was established as a burgh of regality by David I in 1140. The name is derived from canon’s gait - road, or path, of the canons. The main street, Canongate (i.e. without the definite article), led to Holyrood Abbey that was established by the same king only 12 years beforehand. At some point after the reformation in 1560, when the monastic functions of the abbey were dissolved, the jurisdiction of the Canongate was separated from Holyrood. The burgh survived as an independent district until 1856 when it was absorbed into Edinburgh – the City of Edinburgh had, however, purchased the feudal superiority of the Canongate in 1636.

Figure 9 Extract from James Gordon of Rothiemay’s map of Edinburgh, published 1647, showing Canongate running west (left) to east (right). The Canongate Tolbooth can be seen on to the left, with Holyrood Abbey and the Palace of Holyroodhouse shown to the right. NLS

This close relationship with Edinburgh was, however, marked by a distinct change in character between the High Street of Edinburgh and Canongate – manifested not least by the city walls that enclosed Edinburgh. Built for both defensive and economic reasons, the walls ensured that the Canongate grew as a distinct, yet arguably inter-dependent suburb. The development pattern took the form of narrow strips of land fronting Canongate and heading downhill on either side – these were referred to as ‘tofts’ and initially consisted of development to the street end, the forelands, whilst the gardens occupied the backlands, or lower parts of each strip of land. This pattern of

Sir Basil Spence’s Canongate Housing – Conservation Statement 11 development is most clearly, and famously, illustrated by James Gordon of Rothiemay’s map published in 1647 (Figure 9). The royal Palace of Holyroodhouse grew from the guesthouse of the abbey and played host to the royal court until the Union of the Crowns in 1603, when James VI also became James I of England – he left Holyrood for London and never returned to Scotland. The subsequent decades saw a decline in the Canongate with the loss of the influence and prominence of the royal court – this was accelerated by the loss of the Scottish Parliament with the 1707 Act of Union, and the relocation of significant numbers of the aristocracy and ruling elite to London. The impact on both Edinburgh and the Canongate was keenly felt up until the middle decades of the 18th century when political and intellectual circles – a growing middle class, in effect - were reinvigorated by the rapid development in discussion, debate, learning and promotion of philosophy, science, religion, politics and literature – the Scottish Enlightenment. This period saw a remarkable level of public discourse that changed Edinburgh as a city, and influenced cultural and social developments worldwide. Architecturally, the Enlightenment was expressed in new developments across the historic centre of Edinburgh and expansion both northwards and southwards – aided by ambitious civil engineering works. The effect on the Canongate was perhaps less pronounced: until the new town developments of Edinburgh were established, it was, along with the Cowgate, the location of some of the most important residences. Indeed further development of the tofts continued, in the 17th and 18th centuries with the wealthier inhabitants retreating to the quieter and more attractive backlands – away from the more cramped and poorer conditions of the forelands.

Figure 10 Extract from William Edgar’s map of Edinburgh, published 1765. Note the greater development by this date of the ‘backlands’, but only a limited, small-scale, industrial presence. NLS

12 Sir Basil Spence’s Canongate Housing – Conservation Statement

Figure 11 Detail of Edgar’s 1765 showing the study area. Note the stand-alone laird’s house at the centre, now the Canongate Manse, before its wings were added later that century. The T-shaped detached building is Panmure House. NLS

3.2.2 Growth & Industrialisation Although industrialisation was apparent beforehand, the arrival of the railway drove this to a greater extent in the latter half of the 19th century. With abundant coal, production of town gas thrived, and grew to serve the growing population of the city. The main chimney of the Edinburgh Gas Works rose high above Calton and the Canongate. The 1849 OS Town Plan shows one smaller gasometer at the New Street site, with a much larger gasometer at the foot of Lochend Close (shown on Figure 13) – presumably related to the New Street site as it stood with no related buildings or siding off the mainline railway. By the 1877 Town Plan, the Gas Works had expanded and was served by two additional smaller gasometers at New Street – but by the publication of the 1894 Town Plan, these later gasometers appear to have gone, and the two large gasometers on what is now Holyrood Road had appeared. The gasometer on Lochend Close survived until some point between 1894 and the 1905 revision of the 25-inch map, which also notes the Edinburgh Gas Works site as ‘Old Gas Works’ – as a result of the inability to expand the New Street site, production had moved to the Granton Gas Works in 1902. Despite the prominence of this industry in the latter half of the 19th century, it was another industry that had a far greater impact on the Canongate. The breweries, which had for centuries relied on the clear water from springs and wells in the Canongate, expanded to serve not just Edinburgh, but Scotland, the UK and the wider British Empire, with the establishment of brand names that continue today. The largest, and most well-known breweries, included the Holyrood and Abbey Breweries – on the south side of Canongate. The study area around Lochend Close included a number of smaller breweries, including the Balmoral Brewery at the foot of Brown’s Close and the Craigwell Brewery on Calton Road. Whilst the Craigwell Brewery survives, only the maltings of the Balmoral Brewery remain at the foot of Figure 12 The former Balmoral Campbell’s Close. Brewery maltings at the foot of Campbell’s Close

Sir Basil Spence’s Canongate Housing – Conservation Statement 13

Figure 13 Detail of the OS Town Plan of Edinburgh, 1849. Note the large gasometer to the north of the study area, and the highly-developed tofts – little open space remains by this date. Also of note is the number of breweries and other industries. NLS

Figure 14 Detail of the OS Town Plan of Edinburgh, 1877. Note the little change since 1849 – the area is fully developed. A small brewery has appeared in the lower reaches of Brown’s Close, and the Brass Foundry at Milton House opposite Reid’s Court has been extended. NLS

14 Sir Basil Spence’s Canongate Housing – Conservation Statement

Figure 15 Detail of the OS Town Plan of Edinburgh, 1894. Again, little change since the previous two publications, but the Milton House School, now the Royal Mile Primary School, has been constructed opposite Reid’s Court and the Balmoral Brewery is clearly marked. NLS

3.2.3 Improvement & Redevelopment With the growth of industry, and increasing populations in the Old Town of Edinburgh, the mid-19th century saw rapidly declining conditions in the Canongate. The wealthy residents had long moved to more desirable areas of the city, and this process continued with significant suburban tenement and villa developments served by the expanding rail and tramway services. 1867 saw the passing of the Edinburgh City Improvement Act – the first such act that transformed a significant portion of the Old Town. Less of a redevelopment Act, the legislation in effect condemned large areas to demolition – redevelopment took many decades. Jeffrey Street, Cranston Street and St Mary’s Street are three Canongate streets that were formed as a result of this Act. The large scale demolition of the Old Town concerned many – the Cockburn Association was founded in 1875 and the Old Edinburgh Club, formed in 1908, was another such response. The 1894 Town Plan is the last of the maps that shows the study area between Little Lochend Close and Brown’s Close at its height of development. By the 1905 revision, changes had already started to take place that indicated the direction that would be taken over the subsequent decades of the 20th century. The aforementioned gasometer had been dismantled, and two tenement blocks on Figure 16 1905 revision of the 25-inch Campbell’s Close had been demolished – OS map. Note the recreation ground shown as a recreation ground on the 1905 depicted on Campbell’s Close, to the revision. east of Reid’s Court. NLS There was no change in the study area between 1905 and the 1912-1913 revision.

Sir Basil Spence’s Canongate Housing – Conservation Statement 15 The 1931 OS map shows an increase in demolition in the study area and in the immediate surroundings. The peninsular block between Little Lochend Close and Lochend Close has lost its two central tenements – the bow- ended former Highland Society School remained, however. The three smaller buildings on the west side of Little Lochend Close – in front of Panmure House, had also been cleared. Figure 17 1931 revision of the 25-inch OS map. Note the increasing clearance of The most significant change that had tenements behind Canongate. NLS taken place in the area was the closure of the Balmoral Brewery, and the consolidation of Callander House and Whitefoord House into what is now the Scottish Veterans’ Residences. This had first opened its doors in 1911 and is clearly seen marked as ‘Institute’ in Figure 17. The remainder of the Balmoral Brewery had been cleared to form gardens for the residences – with the attractive curving bifurcated steps and sundial clearly shown – although the maltings buildings on the other side of Campbell’s Close remained.

Figure 18 c1930 view of the study area showing the Veterans’ Residence in Callander House (left), the tenements of Canongate, the Canongate Manse can also be seen. The lighter walls marking the gables of demolished tenements can be seen to the right of the manse. RCAHMS ED9384PO

Much of this early 20th century clearance should be read in the context of Patrick Geddes’ theory of ‘conservative surgery’ – pioneering theories which continue to influence town planning worldwide. Geddes, born in Aberdeenshire in 1854 studied zoology and botany, but was better known as a Professor of Biology at the University of Edinburgh, and as a sociologist. He was a major proponent of discreet projects where important historic buildings were retained, whilst the worst of surrounding dilapidated buildings were cleared to improve daylighting and encourage airflow – closes were widened, courtyards formed, and children’s playgrounds established. With the retention of key buildings, communities could continue with disruption minimised. This was in stark contrast to earlier Improvement Acts in the city where widespread clearance and demolition resulted in displaced residents – often forced into conditions far worse than what they had left.

16 Sir Basil Spence’s Canongate Housing – Conservation Statement The 1930s saw further Geddesian approaches being applied to the regeneration of the Canongate – most notably with the attempts of the City Architect, Ebenezer J MacRae. MacRae had joined the Corporation in 1908 and, upon his return to the department in 1918 after the war, became the Depute City Architect before being promoted to City Architect in 1925. Although MacRae had restored a number of buildings in the Old Town – most notably in the Grassmarket and Candlemaker Row – his approach with the Canongate Improvement Scheme of 1930 was to replace the buildings with sympathetic, rubble-stone faced new tenements. Numbers 100-110 and 221-229 Canongate commenced in 1930 and 206-208 started the following year. 3.2.3 The Canongate in the Post-War Years The publication of Patrick Abercrombie’s A Civic Survey and Plan for the City and Royal Burgh of Edinburgh in 1949 was a key point in the planning of Edinburgh, and proposed significant change in the Old Town. With the proposal to relocated industry to designated zones, he proposed a return of the Canongate to residential use and refurbishment of other parts of the Old Town. Nevertheless, he also proposed wide-scale demolition and, most famously, the construction of major dual carriageways, including one that would have demolished St Mary’s Street on its way to a tunnel under Calton Hill to what is now the Picardy Place roundabout.

Figure 19 1948 photograph of 101-121 Canongate, with demolition hoardings erected. Note the gate piers to Reid’s Court. RCAHMS SC801736

Sir Basil Spence’s Canongate Housing – Conservation Statement 17 1948 saw the demolition of the Canongate tenements between Little Lochend Close and Reid’s Court – effectively the site now occupied by block 1 of Basil Spence’s Canongate Housing scheme. Just three years beforehand, in 1945, Ebenezer MacRae had proposed that ‘tenements to the frontage’ around Reid’s Court should be preserved, along with the Canongate Manse, Panmure House, 4 Reid’s Court and Cadell House. However they were described as being in a ‘ruinous and insecure condition’ in March 1948, and a photograph from that year shows demolition underway. The site is shown as a tree-lined small park on subsequent editions of OS maps. In 1958 Ian G Lindsay & Partners were commissioned to restore the Canongate Manse in Reid’s Court – finally completing what had been proposed by MacRae in 1945, and ensuring its survival. This was still a full year before Basil Spence was first appointed by the Corporation to redevelop the surrounding area. The tenements of Golfer’s Land did not

Figure 20 Mid-1950s view of the Canongate survive long into the subsequent decade, Manse – note the open tree-lined park in the and demolition began in 1960. foreground, and the poor condition of the manse before its restoration in 1958. RCAHMS ED1817

Figure 21 View of 79-97 Canongate in 1960. Figure 22 View of 79-81 Canongate (Golfer’s RCAHMS ED5391/4 Land) in 1960. Note the slates already stripped from the rear block. RCAHMS ED5391/7

18 Sir Basil Spence’s Canongate Housing – Conservation Statement

Figure 23 Overlay of the 1849 OS Town Plan on recent satellite view.

The overlay shows the names of the closes that were affected by the demolition and redevelopment of the study area. From west to east (heading downhill), the closes now encompassed by the study area include Munro’s Close, Little Lochend Close, Lochend Close, Reid’s Court, Campbell’s Close, Brown’s Close (previously known as Sommerville’s and later Paterson’s Close) & Malloch’s Close.

Figure 24 View of the Canongate dated November 1966 showing the empty site to the left of the Canongate Manse awaiting development. Ian G Lindsay & Partners’ 70-80 Canongate, completed 1964, can be seen clearly on the opposite side of Canongate. RCAHMS SC681214

Sir Basil Spence’s Canongate Housing – Conservation Statement 19 3.3 Commissioning & Design Letters in the Sir Basil Spence Archive note that the Edinburgh practice Basil Spence & Partners were in discussion with the Edinburgh Corporation in early 1959. A copy of a letter of appointment is dated 31 March 1959 (see Appendix IV). By that date, Basil Spence & Partners had already been commissioned for other housing redevelopment projects in the city. 3.3.1 Early Proposals Drawings dating to September 1959 show a very early scheme for the area, titled ‘Lochend Close development’ – suggesting that at first, Spence was only commissioned to build on the vacant plot to the west of Reid’s Court, cleared in 1948. These drawings show a very plan, conventional four-storey pair of tenements, with central ground floor entrances, each tenement with two flats either side of a communal stair, including on the ground floor – effectively a plainer version of MacRae’s tenements of the 1930s. The roof forms were shown as segmental curves, with the gable-heads facing the street. A further scheme followed on in February 1960 – and stylistically is very similar to what was finally constructed, albeit still marked as ‘Lochend Close development.’ This scheme shows ground floor residential units, with one drawing showing these circled with “suggest shops” annotated in red.

Figure 25 Presentation elevation, signed by Basil Spence, dating to February 1960 – note the close resemblance to the scheme as completed in 1969. This early drawing nevertheless shows ground floor residential units – for example in the location of the public house on the right. RCAHMS DP012719

20 Sir Basil Spence’s Canongate Housing – Conservation Statement

Figure 26 Undated ground floor level site plan showing unexecuted proposal for the Canongate Housing development – note the additional ground floor residential units forming an L-shaped block 1 to the left. By the date of these drawings, the ground floor residential units to Canongate had been omitted and replaced with commercial units and a public house. To the north, the area is shown as ‘proposed site for new nursery school.’ RCAHMS D64817P

Figure 27 Undated first floor level site plan showing unexecuted proposal for the Canongate Housing development – note the largely resolved layout of blocks 1 and 2, whilst the northmost apartments in block 3 were proposed to be one-bedroom apartments also – these were later altered to become smaller studio apartments. RCAHMS D64818P

Sir Basil Spence’s Canongate Housing – Conservation Statement 21 By 1964, archival drawings clearly show the outline of the development as ultimately built – and yet, construction did not progress. 3.3.2 Development Layout

Figure 28 c1965 site plan. Blocks 1, 2 & 3 are the focus of this report. RCAHMS SC1015603

The development was deliberately set back from the building line of the predecessor tenements. This allowed for a widened pavement, and allows for kerb-side parking bays that do not block the main road. The development was split over three blocks – two long blocks of paired tenements facing Canongate, and a single block repeating the historic linear pattern of development down Brown’s Close. The two Canongate blocks were separated by a gap allowing the restored Canongate Manse to be seen from the street. A c1965 site plan (Figure 28) shows other buildings mentioned by MacRae in 1945 being retained – Cadell House, Panmure House and Russell House (4 Reid’s Court). The latter directly affected Spence’s development, and the north-most apartment of block two was narrowed to fit around the 18th century building. What is interesting about Spence’s proposals, aside from his careful consideration of retained historic buildings, is the inclusion of open pends, roughly on the line of the historic closes – in particular Lochend Close and Campbell’s Close. There might well have been the temptation to create private communal gardens to the rear – as found in other tenemented parts of the city – but this was resisted in order to retain the historic street pattern.

22 Sir Basil Spence’s Canongate Housing – Conservation Statement 3.3.3 1964 Development Proposals

Figure 29 OS map with proposed development delineated – green blocks are those that were completed, blue shows the additional blocks that were initially proposed, showing the early ambition of the redevelopment scheme. RCAHMS SC1009286 Colours added by S&B

There is a particularly interesting drawing in the RCAHMS’ Spence, Glover and Ferguson collection – an undated location plan of the study area, but likely to date to around 1964. This OS town plan had been edited by the practice to show the outline of the proposed development (shown as green in Figure 29). In addition to this, there are a number of blocks shown as dotted lines (highlighted in blue) – at some point Edinburgh Corporation seemed to have suggested the possibility of increasing the scale of redevelopment. This would have effectively tripled the development area, and would have entailed the demolition of all buildings (aside from Panmure House and the Canongate Manse) between Canongate and Calton Road – including the Balmoral Brewery Maltings, Whitefoord and Callander Houses and further Canongate-facing tenements. Had this extended development proceeded, the sensitivity, and relatively discreet character of Basil Spence’s development would have been entirely lost – the Calton Road blocks are shown on drawings dating to 1964 held by the RCAHMS as being five storeys high plus attics (presumably drying areas), all raised above a ground- level car park.

Sir Basil Spence’s Canongate Housing – Conservation Statement 23

Figure 30 1877 OS Town Plan with the 1964 proposals overlaid. NLS edited by S&B

Figure 31 2012 composite panorama showing the stretch of Calton Road that would have been affected by the 1964 proposals – it is probable that all of the buildings shown would have had to be demolished. S&B

3.3.4 Intended Residents One of the interesting aspects of the development is that it would seem that the intended residents were young professionals – graduates who perhaps taught at a school or at the university, or some equivalent profession. It is also clear from the ground floor provision of pram stores for each apartment that these young professionals may well start a family here but, given that the apartments are only one or two-bedrooms, would soon move to larger accommodation as their family grew. The intended demographic could be summarised as a young couple in their twenties, with one or two children under the age of five, or single professionals or couples who would inhabit the one-bedroom or studio apartments. Earlier proposals for ground floor properties for elderly residents were deleted from the scheme, although some of the apartments would also have suited them well. 3.3.5 Related Works Archival drawings show a variety of related projects in the immediate vicinity, as suggested by the variety of buildings highlighted in the key of Figure 28. For

24 Sir Basil Spence’s Canongate Housing – Conservation Statement example, the hall is first shown in a drawing of October 1964 (and developed further by June 1967) and survey drawings of Russell House date to September 1966, with later sections showing a scheme of restoration dated October 1968. The collection also includes drawings showing extensions to the recreation hall (by this date named after Harry Younger) in October 1973.

Figure 32 2012 view of the Harry Younger Hall, also designed by Sir Basil Spence’s Edinburgh practice – the roof of the Canongate Housing can be seen in the background. S&B

3.4 Construction & Completion Design development continued throughout 1965, with the majority of detailed drawings held by the RCAHMS dating to April of that year. By November 1966 the development had not yet been started – see Figure 24. Although the date that construction commenced is not recorded, it is probable that construction started around March 1967, which is when the foundation stone for the contemporarily- designed Harry Younger Hall was laid. The hall was completed in March 1969, at the same time as the housing development, suggesting a likelihood of concurrent construction. The construction methods used were primarily cast in-situ shutter-marked reinforced concrete floor slabs and balconies to each floor level, with walls comprising a brickwork cavity wall construction. The first floor slab takes the form of a 2 ½ foot- deep reinforced concrete vault with a segmental curved soffit in most locations, such as over the open pends and above the lounge bar, with 2-foot deep segmental arch construction being repeated at each balcony, but without the vaulting extending to the interior. Some walls had an inner leaf of brickwork with outer face of rubble stone walling, constructed on site. External faces of brick walls were roughcast. A number of pre-cast concrete elements were included – such as the window sills and copings, and a number of uprights framing windows. The segmental-arched canopies above the top floor balconies were also pre-cast, but faced to match the cast in-situ elements below. The sloping roofs were constructed using timber rafters with bituminous sheeting on boarding. The flat roof areas behind the raised parapet, outside the top-floor drying areas, used a bituminous sheeting and chip finish. Windows and doors were all timber framed, with the exception of the sliding windows on the principal Canongate elevation which were aluminium framed. Fascia panels above and below windows were originally asbestos panels, but these

Sir Basil Spence’s Canongate Housing – Conservation Statement 25 all appear to have been replaced. All balconies were given an asphalt finish. The fascia panels at the roof line were asbestos.

Figure 33 Copy of drawing dated c1965 showing typical flat plan and section through block 1. RCAHMS SC1008828

The internal communal stairs are all reinforced concrete cast in-situ, with simply- detailed steel balustrade and granolithic finish to floors. Brickwork walls to the communal stair halls were painted. The interiors of each apartment were simply- finished with timber flooring floated on the concrete floor slabs. Internal walls are single-leaf brick or blockwork, with plaster finish to all walls and ceilings. Internal doors were all timber, with some kitchen doors including a glazed panel. Kitchens were also simply arranged, with a double sink-and-tub fitted to the window wall, and free-standing gas cooker. The living rooms were provided with a gas fire, with flues rising to the roof level. There was no central heating, and hot water was supplied via an immersion heater. The internal layout was designed to be particularly efficient, with hallways taking up a minimum of floor space, yet accessing all apartments. Bathrooms and kitchens were arranged adjacent in plan, separated by a larder opening to the kitchen, an airing cupboard opening to the bathroom, and in most apartments, a cupboard opening to the hallway. Living rooms are generally full-depth in plan, with the sitting area at one end with windows to either Canongate or Brown’s Close, and the dining area at the other end, with serving hatch at dining table-height to the kitchen. The dining areas open out to the balconies provided to most apartments, most of which overlook the rear courtyard gardens, with views to Calton Hill. Apartments at the east end of both blocks one and two overlook Reid’s Court and Brown’s Close respectively. The west-most apartments of block two, overlooking Reid’s Court, and the north-most studio apartments in block three, are the only ones in the development without overhanging balconies extending from the façade, and have recessed openings in the same segmental-arched pattern with a slim ‘Juliet balcony’. Of particular note, great care was taken to ensure that all services were arranged within ducts on the interior, accessible behind ‘removable plywood panels, screw fixed.’ This kept the exterior elevations free of intrusive services. Waste and soil pipes were similarly contained, and the cast in-situ concrete vaults over the public house were carefully designed to accommodate these pipes that in other blocks were more easily accommodated in the vertical circulation. One of the most remarkable elements of the development is the external stair to block two, overlooking Brown’s Close – detailed elevations showing this remarkable

26 Sir Basil Spence’s Canongate Housing – Conservation Statement structure date to March 1967 suggesting it was one of the last elements to be designed in detail. It is constructed entirely from cast in-site reinforced shutter- marked concrete with steel railings, and the stair and landings are supported by a central shaft which doubles as the refuse chute. The refuse chutes for blocks 1 and 3 are located adjacent to the communal stairs, and all refuse chutes led to incinerators, with shafts adjacent to the refuse chutes provided for ventilation and flues.

Figure 34 March 1967 elevations of the external stair to block 2, 2 Brown’s Close. RCAHMS DP136464 edited by S&B for clarity

By late 1968 the structure was largely complete, with the development finished in 1969 with the first residents moving in shortly after – almost exactly a decade after Basil Spence & Partners had first been commissioned.

Figure 35 View of the Canongate Housing shortly before completion. RCAHMS SC1076988

Sir Basil Spence’s Canongate Housing – Conservation Statement 27

Figure 36 View of the Canongate Housing shortly after completion. RCAHMS SC1008950

Figure 37 View of the Canongate Housing Figure 38 View of the Canongate Housing shortly after completion. RCAHMS shortly after completion. RCAHMS SC1031088 SC1031101

28 Sir Basil Spence’s Canongate Housing – Conservation Statement

Figure 39 View of the Canongate Housing shortly after completion. RCAHMS SC1031107

3.5 Critical Reception The 1983 Edinburgh: An Illustrated Architectural Guide published by the Royal Incorporation of Architects in Scotland, and which acted as a prototype of the series of the same name, described the development as follows: “Vigorous development of three four-storey blocks of flats, comprising some of the most stimulating modern architecture in Edinburgh, particularly the geometry of the balconies at the rear.”1 In the description of the north side of the Canongate, the Buildings of Scotland: Edinburgh, first published in 1984 and reprinted in 1991, gives the site a quite different appraisal, in some ways directly contradicting the RIAS Guide: “East of Canongate Church, non-architecture of the 1870s and 1920s leads to aggressive architecture of 1966 by Basil Spence, Glover & Ferguson, rubble, concrete and harl with concrete arcaded canopies at the front and clumsy concrete balconies at the back. Earlier buildings imprisoned behind…”2 Interestingly, the RIAS description was modified slightly in the 1992 edition published as part of the by then established RIAS Illustrated Architectural Guide series:

1 C McKean; Edinburgh: An Illustrated Architectural Guide; 1983; p27 2 J Gifford, C McWilliam & D Walker; Buildings of Scotland: Edinburgh; 1991, p215

Sir Basil Spence’s Canongate Housing – Conservation Statement 29 “Vigorous and vivid flats comprising some of the most stimulating (if aggressive) modern architecture in Edinburgh: strong colours contrast with the geometry of the concrete balconies at the rear. One of the most curious manifestations of Scottish revivalism.”3 It is pertinent to note that the housing complex is not mentioned at any point in the Old Town Conservation Area Character Appraisal.

3.6 Contemporary Comparators In assessing the historical context of Sir Basil Spence’s Canongate Housing, it is important to compare this scheme with both other contemporary examples nearby, as well as other developments by the same architect. 3.6.1 Canongate Improvement Scheme, 1930 The inter-War period saw a number of improvement schemes across Edinburgh, with a significant number of redevelopment and entirely new housing schemes, many of which were designed by the City Architect, Ebenezer J MacRae. The new tenements built in the Canongate follow a very similar pattern to those elsewhere in the city – rubble stone elevations, Figure 40 General view of 221-229 small-paned sash-and-case windows, and only Canongate Google limited decoration to door surrounds. The materials are well-suited to the Canongate, and half-dormers to 227 Canongate enliven what would otherwise have been a relatively plain wall-head. Nevertheless, it is a common criticism of the 1930s tenements that the ground floor residential units, with comparatively few commercial units, and an apparent resistance to acknowledging the downhill slope left large expanses of plain stone walls to the pavement. Coupled with the regimented elevations, they are often accused of being rather austere. 3.6.2 Tolbooth Area Redevelopment, 1953-58 One of the earliest post-War redevelopment projects in the Old Town was Hurd Rolland’s redevelopment of 171-197 Canongate. This comprised two four-storey tenement blocks, with a repeating plan, but with different treatment to the street elevation. Both tenements included a covered arcade, with commercial units set back from the street frontage – perhaps one of the most attractive and pleasing of the post-War redevelopments as a result. Figure 41 General view of 171-197 Canongate Google

3 C McKean; Edinburgh: An Illustrated Architectural Guide: 1992, p37

30 Sir Basil Spence’s Canongate Housing – Conservation Statement 3.6.2 70-80 Canongate, 1960-64 Although much simplified and reduced in height from the scheme first proposed (as shown in Figure 42), this is an important example of a redevelopment project from Ian G Lindsay & Partners, who worked extensively across Scotland in both new build and restoration projects (including the Canongate Manse, in 1958).

Figure 42 Detail of presentation drawing showing perspective view of early scheme for 70-80 Canongate RCAHMS SC986470

3.6.3 Chessel’s Court, 1963-5

Figure 43 1957 elevations of Hurd Rolland’s Chessel’s Court redevelopment. Note the mix of tenement forms, including the reconstructed 18th century frontage with wall-head gable. RCAHMS SC989028

This scheme is of particular interest as a comparator to Sir Basil Spence’s project further down Canongate. This scheme involved both major restoration of ‘backland’ blocks, with new build and reconstruction towards the street. The blocks to the street follow a relatively similar pattern to Sir Basil’s Spence’s brief, with few residential properties to the ground floor. Much of the ground floor is given over to shops, a public house, office space and open pends giving access and views to the areas behind. Given the prominence of this block, near to the top of Canongate, the mixed approach was particularly appropriate – it incorporates a distinctively Scandinavian-influenced modern take on the vernacular tenement form and a reconstruction of a 1769 five-storey wall-head gabled elevation of 242-244 Canongate. This development sits well next to two examples of earlier Hurd Rolland restoration

Sir Basil Spence’s Canongate Housing – Conservation Statement 31 projects from 1955 of a c1750 tenement (246-248 Canongate) and a c1700 tenement (250-254 Canongate). Nos 242-254 are listed at category B. 3.6.4 Harbour Court, Dunbar, 1949-56 Perhaps one of Basil Spence’s most highly-regarded housing schemes, this surrounded an earlier development dating to 1935, designed by the young Basil Spence and William Kininmonth. Harbour Court comprised a total of 29 dwellings.

Figure 44 1950 presentation perspective showing developments at Dunbar RCAHMS SC896866

3.6.5 Laverockbank Avenue, 1956-60 Basil Spence & Partners were commissioned by the Corporation in 1956 to construct this large block on a complex, steeply-sloping site in Newhaven, close to the shoreline. The development, comprising 27 residential units (mostly maisonettes) and one shop unit, was approved in 1957 and completed in 1960, having won a Satire Society Housing the previous year. Whilst the main living rooms are recessed from the main elevation at an angle to face south-west, the balconies are cantilevered outwards to give northward views to the Forth. Few comparisons can be made with the later commission at the Canongate – the deck-access main block bears greater comparison with Figure 45 View of Laverockbank other social housing schemes built across the Avenue, Edinburgh, in 1960 RCAHMS UK at the time, and show a certain flair in the SC1058031 geometry of the balconies and living rooms, and a pleasing mix of materials.

32 Sir Basil Spence’s Canongate Housing – Conservation Statement 3.6.6 Great Michael Rise & New Lane, 1956-60 Just 500 metres to the east from Laverockbank Avenue, Basil Spence & Partners were commissioned to create this development of 48 flats in two- and three-storey blocks at Great Michael Rise, and a further 24 flats at New lane. Whilst almost a direct contemporary of Laverockbank, the scheme is completely different, and whilst eight of the tenement blocks are relatively plain in form (although each painted in different colours), the stepped two-storey blocks that run north-south and react to the sloping site are of particular note, with the upper flats being accessed by over- sailing external steps, evoking the established pattern of traditional Newhaven housing that the development replaced.

Figure 46 View of Great Michael Rise, The two north-most tenement blocks were Edinburgh, in c1960 RCAHMS joined with an octagonal copper-roofed single- SC1031120 storey shop unit.

This development shows greater awareness of the vernacular, and again employs a careful use of colours and materials – including reclaimed stone setts for walls, and extensive use of timber – that is reminiscent of what was later seen at Canongate. 3.6.7 Claremont Court, East Claremont Street, 1958-62 Two years after being appointed by the Corporation for the two projects in Newhaven, Basil Spence & Partners were appointed to construct a 63-unit development on the outer fringes of the Edinburgh New Town. The development was arranged in two L- shaped blocks, with flats arranged in the piloti- raised two- and three-storey blocks running north-south, and the maisonettes in the four- storey blocks running east-west. This development is perhaps the most severe of Spence’s Edinburgh housing developments from this period, and reference is made by the RCAHMS to Mies van der Rohe’s Weißenhofsiedlung development in Stuttgart, but is described in the Buildings of Scotland guide as ‘civilized.’4

Figure 47 View of East Claremont Street, Edinburgh, in c1962 RCAHMS SC1073012

4 C McWilliam, D Walker, & J Gifford; The Buildings of Scotland: Edinburgh; p422

Sir Basil Spence’s Canongate Housing – Conservation Statement 33 3.6.8 Falmer House, University of Sussex, 1959-64

Figure 48 c1964-66 view of Falmer House, University of Sussex –note the repeated use of segmental arched concrete vaults and projecting canopies. RCAHMS SC1046263

Falmer House was the first part of the new University of Sussex campus to be completed, after a masterplan was produced by Basil Spence & Partners. First commissioned in 1959, Spence himself sketched a number of ideas for Falmer House, which was primarily constructed in brick set between cast in situ concrete vaults with segmental arched canopies. 3.6.8 Hyde Park Cavalry Barracks, 1959-70

Figure 49 1962 presentation perspective view of Hyde Park Cavalry Barracks – again, note the bold projecting cast in-situ concrete canopies. RCAHMS DP005488

In another large commission – that came the same year as both the University of Sussex and the Canongate Housing development – Basil Spence and Partners were commissioned to redevelop barracks adjacent to Hyde Park. Completed in 1970, the development was particularly contentious – not least for the Married Soldiers’ tower block. A unifying theme throughout the development was the distinctive cast in situ concrete canopies and vaulting.

34 Sir Basil Spence’s Canongate Housing – Conservation Statement 3.7 Architects’ Biographies The following is an edited extract from the Dictionary of Scottish Architect (www.scottisharchitects.org.uk) Sir Basil Spence (1907-1976) Basil Urwin Spence was born in Bombay on 13 August 1907. He moved to Scotland in 1919 at the age of twelve. He enrolled at Edinburgh College of Art in September 1925, initially to study painting and sculpture. He soon transferred to the School of Architecture, studying design practice and town planning under Frank Charles Mears and Harry Hubbard, and architectural history and theory under John Summerson who was only three years his senior. In 1929 he gained the College's certificate and exemption from the RIBA's intermediate examination. His brilliant draughtsmanship secured him a place in the office of Sir Edwin Lutyens, whom he assisted with the designs for the Viceroy's house, New Delhi, and while in London he took the opportunity to study at the Bartlett School of Architecture under Professor Albert Richardson. On his return to Edinburgh Spence won the RIAS Rowand Anderson Medal during session 1930-31. In the latter year he gained his diploma from the College of Art and won the RIBA's Silver Medal as the best architectural student in the UK. At the College Spence made friends with William Kininmonth, who also went to Lutyens' office. Kininmonth had previously been employed by Rowand Anderson & Balfour Paul, but when he returned from London Paul was unable to offer further work. Nevertheless, Kininmonth was given the use of a room in the office at 16 Rutland Square, and although it had only a single desk and a telephone this allowed him to take Spence into partnership in 1932. Their practice was immediately successful, thanks in part to the connections of Kininmonth's radiologist brother and Kininmonth's own modernist house at 46A Dick Place (1933) which proved an excellent advertisement. As well as design work the partners also specialised in presentations for other much larger practices. In 1934 Paul offered Kininmonth a partnership, which he felt he had to decline unless Spence was taken into partnership as well. Paul accepted this proposal and the Kininmonth & Spence practice was merged with Paul's as Rowand Anderson & Paul & Partners. Although business had significantly recovered, to the extent that the practice secured commissions for three country houses, Spence and Kininmonth continued teaching at Edinburgh College of Art. This arrangement continued until Paul died in June 1938. Independently of the practice, Spence won the competition for the Scottish School of Art & Industry at Kilsyth, and received three separate commissions in respect of the Empire Exhibition held at Bellahouston Park, Glasgow, in 1938. These included the highly acclaimed Scottish Pavilion which he designed in collaboration with the Exhibition's organiser, Thomas Tait. The partnership of Kininmonth & Spence having been dissolved, Basil Spence & Partners was established with Bruce Robertson in November 1946. Andrew Renton became a partner in 1949 when he took charge of the practice's first London office. Robertson left the practice in 1950 to practise independently,

Sir Basil Spence’s Canongate Housing – Conservation Statement 35 and John Hardie Glover and Peter Scott Ferguson were taken into partnership in 1951. Spence's subsequent career was spectacular. He was elected FRIBA in 1947, his proposers being Thomas Tait, Joseph Emberton and F R S Yorke. He leapt to prominence during the Festival of Britain in 1951 as chief architect for the Exhibition of Industrial Power in Glasgow and the designer of the Sea & Ships Pavilion, perhaps the best of all the displays on London's South Bank. In the same year he won the competition to design the new Coventry Cathedral, and he was subsequently responsible for ten parish churches. He built several schools both in Scotland and England. Although often criticised as a picturesque designer unconcerned by the dictates of structure, his nuclear physics building in Glasgow confirmed his mastery of complex technological briefs and led to some fifty university buildings in Scotland and England, including three major campuses at Nottingham, Southampton and Sussex. His remarkable versatility allowed him to turn his hand to major projects as diverse as the Hutchesontown C redevelopment in the Gorbals (1965) and Abbotsinch Airport (1966) in Glasgow, Hyde Park Cavalry Barracks in London (1970), and the Chancery of the British Embassy in Rome (1971). By this date he was withdrawing from everyday involvement with the three architectural practices of which he was the head. Andrew Renton had left to practise independently in May 1961, with Spence continuing his own London practice in the same office at Canonbury Place. In 1963 the London practice split: the Canonbury Place office was renamed Sir Basil Spence OM RA, with his son-in-law Anthony Blee as partner and his son John Urwin Spence as consultant; and a new office was opened at Fitzroy Square as Sir Basil Spence, Bonnington & Collins, John (Jack) Bonnington and Gordon Collins having been taken into partnership as based at Fitzroy Square. These changes having been made, at the beginning of 1964 the original practice at Moray Place, Edinburgh had become Sir Basil Spence, Glover & Ferguson. Jimmy Beveridge was taken into partnership in 1968; Andrew Merrylees in 1972; and John Legge in 1973. Spence retired in 1972, although he continued to act as a consultant to the firm. In his last years he retreated to his holiday villas on Malta and Majorca, stung by a reaction against his work which was in sharp contrast to his previous popularity, but he nevertheless remained a prolific designer with a number of foreign commissions. Basil Spence was blessed with great charm and remarkable powers of persuasion, and he did much - especially during his Presidency of the RIBA, 1958-60 - to engender public interest in modern architecture. He was the first Hoffman Wood Professor of Architecture at the University of Leeds, 1955-57, and Professor of Architecture at the Royal Academy, 1961-68. He was elected a Royal Designer for Industry (Exhibitions and Interiors) in 1960, and an Honorary Fellow of the Royal College of Art in 1962; he was also Treasurer of the Royal Academy, 1962-64, and a member of the Royal Fine Art Commission, 1956-70. Among many other distinctions from both home and abroad, he was appointed OBE in 1948, advanced to KBE (knighted) in 1960, and received the Order of Merit in 1962. He died at Yaxley Hall, near Eye, Suffolk, on 19 November 1976.

36 Sir Basil Spence’s Canongate Housing – Conservation Statement 3.8 Summary Historical Development

Date

1128 Holyrood Abbey established by King David I.

1140 David I established the Canongate as a burgh of regality.

Post-1560 After the dissolution of Holyrood Abbey, the jurisdiction of the Canongate is separated from Holyrood. The Canongate nevertheless survives as an independent district, adjacent, but separate, to Edinburgh.

1603 Union of the Crowns – King James VI leaves Holyrood for London

1636 The City of Edinburgh purchases the feudal superiority of the Canongate, underlining the link between the two burghs.

1707 Act of Union – Scottish Parliament dissolved

1849 The OS Town Plan shows increasing industrialisation of the Canongate and full development of the area around the study area – occupied by tenements, gasworks, breweries and foundries.

1856 The Canongate is formally absorbed into Edinburgh.

1867 Edinburgh City Improvement Act passed and subsequent wholesale demolition and redevelopment.

1894-1905 Demolition of tenements in the study area begins.

1911 Consolidation of Callander House and Whitefoord House into what is now the Scottish Veterans’ Residences.

1918-1939 Closure of breweries and further demolition in and around the study area.

1945 Ebenezeer MacRae, City Architect, proposes key buildings for retention in and around the study area.

1948 Demolition of tenements to Canongate in the study area.

1958 Canongate Manse in Reid’s Court is restored.

March 1959 Basil Spence & Partners appointed by Edinburgh Corporation to design new housing for the Canongate

September 1959 First proposals for the site show plain four-storey tenements with curved roofs facing Canongate.

February 1960 First drawings shown of a scheme that closely resembles final design: blocks of four storeys with a mix of rendered and rubble stone walled elevations with monopitch roofs.

Sir Basil Spence’s Canongate Housing – Conservation Statement 37 1960 Golfer’s Land and other remaining tenements in the study area are demolished.

1964 Wider redevelopment scheme proposed in drawings, effectively tripling the size of the scheme.

1965 Design development continues after abandoning of wider scheme – detailed drawings produced. cMarch 1967 Development commences, with foundation stone being laid for concurrently developed Harry Younger Hall. cMarch 1969 Housing development completed, and first residents move in.

November 1976 Sir Basil Spence dies at his home at Yaxley Hall, Suffolk

September 2008 Canongate Housing Development listed at category B by Historic Scotland.

3.9 Later Alterations The three blocks referred to in this report were listed at category B in September 2008. Listed Building Consent has therefore been required for development proposals since that date. Prior to that, only standard applications for planning consent and consent for advertising was required, albeit with the buildings constrained by being in a designated conservation area and World Heritage Site. Prior to 2008 internal works were relatively unrestricted, and a number of alterations have taken place to many of the flats. Central heating has been installed in most properties – with gas-fired boilers being installed most commonly in the larder located off the kitchen. Most kitchens have been altered and fitted with modern units – the low-level serving hatch has been lost in a few properties, largely because it is below the level of standard modern kitchen units. In some flats, the serving hatch remains, but blocked on the kitchen side. Some of the internal doors to flats have been upgraded, but many of the original doors still remain. The layout of many flats, however, remains largely unaltered, and it is noted that the efficient plan continues to suit residents well. It is interesting to note that there have been very few applications for alterations since the development was listed – but this does not mean that changes have not taken place. It is disappointing that an application to sub-divide one of the original living areas to provide an additional bedroom (10/00374/LBC) was deemed to be allowable without listed building consent being required – suggesting that the local planning authority does not yet understand or appreciate the significance of interiors of post-War developments. This also suggests that further works may have been carried out across the development without any application having been made to the local planning authority. Perhaps of greater note, is a more recent application to replace timber windows with uPVC ‘equivalents’ – this is contrary to both established policy relating to listed buildings and to conservation areas. It is clear that the local planning authority

38 Sir Basil Spence’s Canongate Housing – Conservation Statement needs to reconsider the application and relevance of its own policies to post-War listed buildings.

Date Reference Details

08/06/2012 12/02006/LBC 3/5 Brown’s Close – “Replacement of existing timber windows with UPVC equivalent” Application Granted

12/02/2010 10/00374/LBC 2/4 Brown’s Close – “Erect stud partition splitting a large living area into two separate rooms (in retrospect)”. Permission Not Required.

10/01/2008 08/00091/ADV 67 Canongate – “Erection of illuminated and non- illuminated signs to the exterior of the building, as amended” Application Granted

30/11/2006 06/05077/FUL 67 Canongate – “Remove existing windows and install 2 No external quality doors, remove existing window and install new full height glazed screen” Application Refused

22/07/2003 03/02715/FUL 67 Canongate – “Proposed alterations to form improved wash/prep area to existing kitchen and form gable window” Application Granted

26/06/2001 01/02543/FUL 103/6 Canongate – “Installation of replacement windows and patio doors.” Application Granted

3.9 The Canongate Housing Development Today This section looks at the development in general: Section 6.0 looks at issues such as condition in greater detail. In 2005 the RCAHMS carried out a photographic survey of the exterior of the housing development and an internal photographic survey of one of the flats in block 2 (2 Brown’s Close).

Sir Basil Spence’s Canongate Housing – Conservation Statement 39

Figure 50 2005 view of entrance hall in a flat Figure 51 2005 view of the kitchen in a flat in in block 2. RCAHMS E60940 block 2. RCAHMS E60936

Figure 52 2005 view of the living room in a flat in block 2. RCAHMS E60944

As part of this conservation statement project, visits were conducted in August 2012. This included external surveys and visits to sample flats in each of the three blocks. In order to protect the privacy of the residents, no internal photographs showing

40 Sir Basil Spence’s Canongate Housing – Conservation Statement general interior views were taken, but permission was sought for some specific detailed shots to help illustrate key features of the development.

Figure 53 2012 view of an example feature window to living room, showing the view to Calton Hill. This is the one of the remaining original window and door arrangements – the segmental arch that mimics the cast in situ concrete structural feature outside has meant that replacement is more difficult and costly. S&B

Figure 54 2012 view of an example serving hatch between kitchen and dining area – this hatch remains, albeit without the sliding door. S&B

Sir Basil Spence’s Canongate Housing – Conservation Statement 41

Figure 55 2012 view of original part-glazed Figure 56 2012 view of original part-glazed door to kitchen, with original ironmongery. door to bathroom. S&B S&B

Figure 57 2012 view of an example door and window to Juliet balcony – this is a modern double-glazed replacement that matches the original pattern so closely it is largely indistinguishable, and is thus an example of best-practice. S&B

42 Sir Basil Spence’s Canongate Housing – Conservation Statement 4.0 ASSESSMENT OF SIGNIFICANCE 4.1 Introduction The Burra Charter provides the following definition of cultural significance: ‘Cultural Significance means aesthetic, historic, scientific, social or spiritual value for past, present or future generations. Cultural significance is embodied in the place itself, its fabric, setting, use, associations, meanings, records, related places and related objects.’5 The following assessment of the heritage value of the Canongate Housing is based upon an analysis and understanding of the historical development of the site, including the tangible documentary and physical evidence, as well as intangible historical, and social associations. The assessment of significance establishes the importance of the buildings as a place of cultural heritage. In order to establish parameters for appropriate and sensitive conservation and possible future alteration of the building and site, whilst respecting the historic fabric, the grading of significance will help to identify key elements of the study area, as well as those which may be of an intrusive nature – that is, those that adversely impact upon the appreciation of elements of greater significance and should be removed or changed. Each element of the study area and the site overall has been graded according to its significance as an individual item within the overall context of the site. This information informs policies, or guidelines, which should be met in order to ensure that in any future changes to the building appropriate respect is paid to the site and its components.

5 P Marquis-Kyle & M Walker; The illustrated Burra Charter: good practice for heritage places; (Australia ICOMOS: 2004); p11

Sir Basil Spence’s Canongate Housing – Conservation Statement 43

Figure 58 Floors plans of blocks 1 (bottom), 2 (centre) and 3 (top) showing levels of significance for floors 1, 2 and 3. S&B

44 Sir Basil Spence’s Canongate Housing – Conservation Statement

S&B Ground and site plan showing levels of significance.

59

Figure

Sir Basil Spence’s Canongate Housing – Conservation Statement 45

S&B

Elevations of block 1 showing levels of significance.

60

Figure

46 Sir Basil Spence’s Canongate Housing – Conservation Statement

S&B

Elevations of block 2 showing levels of significance.

61

Figure

Sir Basil Spence’s Canongate Housing – Conservation Statement 47

S&B

Elevations of block 3 showing levels of significance.

62

Figure

4.2 Historical Significance Historical significance encompasses the importance of the relationship of a site to the evolving pattern of our cultural or natural history, or has a strong or special association with the life or works of a person, or group of persons, of importance in our cultural or natural history. A site may have historical value because it has influenced, or has been influenced by, a historical figure, event, phase or activity, or as the site of an important event. For any given place the significance will be greater where evidence of the association or event survives in situ, or where the setting is substantially intact, than where it has been changed or evidences does not survive. However, some events or associations may be so important that he place retains significance regardless of subsequent treatment. The direct connection to Sir Basil Spence – with evidence that he was personally responsible for the design concept at the Canongate – is of considerable historical significance. One of the most notable architects in the 20th Century not just in Britain, but when representing British architecture abroad, Spence was a household name –

48 Sir Basil Spence’s Canongate Housing – Conservation Statement and a widely recognised ‘celebrity’. His connection to Edinburgh – having grown up and been educated in the city – is also of note. Although he had since moved to London, his well-established Edinburgh practice - which was never out of contact with Spence for long - ensured his influence on the city continued. That there is considerable archival material that relates to the study area is also of historical significance, and emphasises, and helps clarify, the importance of the development and its architects to the understanding of Scottish architectural history in the post-War 20th century. The RCAHMS acquired material both from the residual Edinburgh practice – Spence, Glover and Ferguson – and from Sir Basil’s wider collection – the Sir Basil Spence Archive. The historical significance of the form of construction adopted is also of interest. The expressive use of cast in situ concrete elements is deliberately sculptural. Although Spence, and his various practices, were never at the forefront of Brutalist ideas, the distinctive segmental-arched motif that appears in many major Spence projects is an historical thread that immediately connects all of them to Spence and his colleagues. The centenary of Sir Basil Spence’s birth, in 2007, and the major retrospective displayed at National Galleries Scotland’s Dean Gallery (now Modern Two) that opened that year before travelling to The Herbert in Coventry in 2008 refreshed interest and enthusiasm in the work of Spence across the UK and worldwide. The accompanying publication, also drawing on the work to curate the archive at the RCAHMS, and wider educational activities directly raised the profile of the Canongate housing. That the Canongate Housing was listed in 2008 also reflects the growing appreciation of the historical significance of Spence’s work, and his project at the heart of Edinburgh’s Old Town. There is also considerable significance inherent in the wider site in terms of understanding the historical development of the Canongate. The surviving buildings from earlier centuries in the immediate vicinity are of considerable significance, with the Canongate as a whole of outstanding significance. That the value of the surviving buildings such as the Canongate Manse was recognised at the time the Canongate Housing was constructed, further underlines the complex inter- relationship between developments of different centuries found in the Canongate. This aspect is in itself of considerable historical significance as a representation of changing attitudes towards the retention of built heritage.

4.3 Aesthetic and Architectural Significance The importance of the site in terms of its contribution to an understanding of the architectural development of the site and broader context locally, regionally, nationally or internationally. Aesthetic value includes aspects of sensory perception such as consideration of the form, scale, colour, texture and material of the fabric; the smells and sounds association with the character of the place and its use. As a category B listed building, the architectural and historical significance of the Canongate Housing is already recognised. Nevertheless, it is important to underline the importance of the housing to developing architectural and social changes in the 1960s and in understanding the various approaches to constructing social housing in historic locations. Wider themes of adapting Modernist ideals to Scottish vernacular traditions are also clarified and enlightened by this building complex, and it is certain from later critiques that although viewed as a mixed success, the architecture

Sir Basil Spence’s Canongate Housing – Conservation Statement 49 did both strive to be distinctive in its own right as well as contextual. This is a debate that continues in architecture, heritage and planning circles today. The Canongate Housing is also of architectural significance in terms of understanding the oeuvre of Sir Basil Spence and his Edinburgh practice. As discussed above, the significance of the cast in situ concrete vaults, balconies and canopies throughout this development as not only a distinctive and attractive feature of this development, but as an architectural motif that Spence repeated across many otherwise disparate and unconnected architectural projects. The aesthetic significance of the Canongate Housing is perhaps commonly understated, and not fully recognised. The description of the architecture as ‘aggressive’ (see section 3.5) is not one that is recognised by the authors of this report. The careful design, which sought to harmonise with the building traditions of the Canongate has meant that the buildings have avoided the opprobrium normally directed at architecture of this period – many people simply don’t notice the Canongate Housing development. This, in itself, is indicative of the success of the original design having integrated well in its surroundings. The location of the housing on the narrow Canongate also means that it is easy to pass by and ignore – particularly as attention is focused on Queensberry House and the rest of the Scottish Parliament complex on the other side of the Canongate, and the Palace of Holyroodhouse at the foot of the hill. It is to the detriment of the appreciation of the significance of the Canongate Housing that it does not receive any mention in the City of Edinburgh Council’s Conservation Area Character Appraisal – mention is made of the contribution by Robert Hurd and Ebenezer MacRae. The carefully protected, and framed, views are valuable aesthetic attributes that contribute considerably to the immediate area. That these open pends also lead to attractive and well-maintained fully mature planted courtyards is also of particular note. There is no doubt that modern alterations to some of the properties are to the detriment of the aesthetic and architectural significance of the building. Whilst the original windows, for example, cannot be deemed to have any inherent significance, the pattern of glazing and the composition of the windows in the wider facades is of considerable importance. Some of the later windows have disrupted this, and some changes have introduced insensitive materials that ought to have been resisted by the planning authority in this sensitive location.

50 Sir Basil Spence’s Canongate Housing – Conservation Statement 5.0 GRADING OF SIGNIFICANCE 5.1 Introduction The various elements of the housing development have been assessed and graded to assist with the future conservation and management of the site and its elements. Grading of the individual elements of a site is based on the contribution each element makes to each component of significance, (i.e. historic, archaeological, architectural and aesthetic, landscape, social and spiritual etc.) whether it be at a local (Edinburgh), regional (Lothian/East Scotland), national (Scotland/United Kingdom) or international level. 5.1.1 Elements of Considerable Significance A building or element of regional (Lothian/East Scotland) or national (Scotland/United Kingdom) importance, or a good example of a particular period, style or type with a high degree of intact original fabric that contributes substantially to the importance of the building or site overall. 5.1.2 Elements of Moderate Significance A building or element of local (Edinburgh) importance, or an element that contributes to, but is not a key element to the importance of the building or site overall. 5.1.3 Neutral Elements An element which neither contributes, nor detracts from the importance of the building or site overall. 5.1.4 Negative Elements A building or element which detracts from the overall significance of the building or site overall. 5.2 Graded Elements The key elements of the Canongate Housing have been graded according to the above criteria and are shown graphically in figures 55-58. The grading of significance informs recommendation contained within section 6.0 of this report.

Element Significance Notes

Overall Development Considerable As an architectural development by Sir Basil Spence, listed at category B, the overall housing scheme is of considerable significance.

Landscape features to Moderate This applies to the built structures: rear courtyards and walls and planters Brown’s Close

Interiors – communal Moderate Primarily as a result of few changes entrances and stairs to materials, number of original flat doors, and general social and historical significance of the communal tenement stair.

Sir Basil Spence’s Canongate Housing – Conservation Statement 51 Interiors – principal Moderate living rooms to each apartment

Interiors – attic drying Neutral spaces

Interiors – Public Moderate Retains overall form, albeit with later House alterations

Interiors – Shops Neutral

All other interiors Neutral

Block 1 (97-103 Canongate)

Canongate Elevation Considerable The overall design is of considerable Overall significance

Side Elevations Overall Considerable

Rear Elevations Considerable Overall

Harled walls Moderate

Rubble-stone walls Moderate

Projecting cast in-situ Considerable concrete vaults

Projecting cast in-situ Considerable concrete balconies and pre-cast canopies

Open pends Considerable Historical significance of closes and views through development

Pre-cast window Moderate surrounds

Windows Moderate Where following original pattern

French windows to Considerable Where following original pattern balconies

Fascia panels Moderate Most have been replaced

Block 2 (65-71 Canongate & 1-2 Brown’s Close)

Canongate Elevation Considerable The overall design is of considerable Overall significance

52 Sir Basil Spence’s Canongate Housing – Conservation Statement Side Elevations Overall Considerable

Rear Elevations Considerable Overall

‘Paladin Tower’ Considerable external staircase

Harled walls Moderate

Surface treatment of Negative public house walls

Rubble-stone walls Moderate

Projecting cast in-situ Considerable concrete vaults

Painted surface of cast Negative in-situ concrete vault above public house

Projecting cast in-situ Considerable concrete balconies and pre-cast canopies

Open pend Considerable Historical significance of close and view through development

Pre-cast window Moderate surrounds

Windows Moderate Where following original pattern

French windows to Considerable Where following original pattern balconies

Fascia panels Moderate Most have been replaced

Block 3 (3 Brown’s Close)

Elevations Overall Considerable The overall design is of considerable significance

Harled walls Moderate

Rubble-stone walls Moderate

Projecting cast in-situ Considerable concrete vaults

Projecting cast in-situ Considerable concrete balconies and

Sir Basil Spence’s Canongate Housing – Conservation Statement 53 pre-cast canopies

Open pend Moderate

Pre-cast window Moderate surrounds

Windows Moderate Where following original pattern

French windows to Considerable Where following original pattern balconies

Fascia panels Moderate Most have been replaced

54 Sir Basil Spence’s Canongate Housing – Conservation Statement 6.0 CONSERVATION ISSUES & RECOMMENDATIONS 6.1 Conservation Issues 6.1.1 External materials The mix of external materials between render, rubble stone, concrete and different colours is an important part of the aesthetic intention of the building. The different materials on the side facing the Canongate divide the buildings vertically evoking the past history of different buildings on individual plots facing the street. This arrangement of materials into vertical strips is less marked on the sides facing away from the Canongate. Blocks of harl are still taller than they are wide. The harl is still interspersed with columns of rubble or columns of balconies but the verticality is less marked on the north facing elevations. 6.1.2 Cast In-Situ Concrete The concrete is used for balconies, for the vaults at pends, and for the external stairs at 2 Brown’s Close. Concrete is one of the most expressive materials used at the building. It is the material which is used for Spence's signature vaulted form. It is also used to form slots and balconies which are the most expressive motif on the buildings. The concrete used is mass concrete which has been poured into rough shuttering of exposed grain timbers of unequal widths but generally about 4 to 5 inches wide. At the base of each vertical surface there is a strip about 5 inches wide. There is a shadow gap or drip of about half an inch before the main vault finishes. The vault shuttering is the same as the vertical shuttering on the flat parts but narrower shuttering has been used for the vaults. In some places metal reinforcement has become visible. This is particularly noticeable on the central pair of balcony columns on the north side of the western block. In these locations concrete has spalled away exposing rusting iron formwork. There is evidence also of horizontal and vertical cracking, particularly around the slots in the concrete.

Figure 63 Spalled concrete on sample cast in-situ concrete balcony

In many places the concrete is badly stained. The cause of the staining is water running off surfaces and down the face of the concrete. It becomes much darker than

Sir Basil Spence’s Canongate Housing – Conservation Statement 55 originally intended by accumulating moss on the concrete surface and a pattern of vertical staining. In some places, such as the second pend from the western block facing Canongate, there are small in situ repairs made in concrete which do not follow the shuttering pattern and are of a different, greyer colour. The original colour of the concrete is a light brown colour which looks grey in comparison to the rubble stone but these patch repairs are more dead grey colour. In some places the concrete has been cleaned to remove moss. This is the case particularly over the pend canopy outside 99 Canongate. Where the moss has been cleaned off and the concrete washed, the concrete looks weathered but its appearance detracts from the overall character of the front much less than where moss has been allowed to remain. In the pends there are columns of rough concrete with large aggregate. The concrete appears to have been cast into large cardboard tubes. There are some diagonal marks on their face. Concrete has also been used around the arched heads of windows facing into balconies. In some cases this concrete has been formed using narrower timber shuttering. There are some cracks between these concrete panels and the stone around them. These cracks should be pointed to prevent water ingress. On external concrete which is sheltered from drying, notably on the north side of the Campbell's Close pend, the moss and other vegetation is disfiguring.

Figure 64 Example of moss on cast in-situ concrete over Campbell’s Close

The staining on concrete is particularly noticeable on some of the balconies. There is staining underneath the lowered section which contains railings and also, less obviously, underneath the slots. This pattern of staining alters from balcony to balcony so it may not be entirely to do with rainwater washing off. It might be associated with the frequency and method of cleaning of each balcony. There are further points of damage to mass concrete on the north east block where the face of concrete has spalled away exposing rusting reinforcement behind. The use of shuttered concrete for vaulted pends does not continue in the north east block, although the ceiling of the pend is made from large slabs of concrete. On the eastern side of the north east block the damage from pieces of mass concrete breaking off is more obvious and there is a regular pattern of rusting vertical

56 Sir Basil Spence’s Canongate Housing – Conservation Statement reinforcement bars. Further to the south pieces of the face of the concrete are broken indicating that more concrete is likely to fall, exposing reinforcement bars. To some extent this seems to have been created by a failure in construction. At least two of the bars have been cast too close to the concrete surface and are visible on the underside passing through only a couple of millimetres above the level of the shadow gap/drip underneath.

Figure 65 Reinforcement bars exposed just above drip detail.

There is similar run off and staining at the concrete stair at 2 Brown's Close. Some of the spalled concrete appears to relate to the electrical conduit which is submerged within the concrete. One of the most severe parts of the concrete erosion is at the stair head to Brown's Close. The concrete above the Kilderkin pub frontage has been painted. This paint finish detracts from the overall significance of the building. The paint finish should be removed both from the front face where it has been painted which and from the underside where it has been painted dark. 6.1.3 Pre-Cast Concrete facings around windows Around the majority of windows are concrete facings made as cast blocks. They are clearly different in character from the rough large aggregate concrete of the vaults, columns and balconies. These concrete units have a smoother finish and finer aggregate. They are built as if they were pieces of stone and they were possibly intended to imitate stone. The colour is lighter than the colour of the rubble but possibly the colour was a closer match when first constructed. In some panels, pairs of windows have been joined together with chamfered sides to the buttress between the windows. Despite binding windows to look as if they are in a single block, most of these pairs of windows are, in fact, windows Figure 66 Pre-cast concrete elements around lighting different flats. This has become and between windows. S&B obvious with changes in the window frames. The condition of these cast stone units appears fair. There is little sign of damage due to rusting reinforcement. This is possibly because the position of the reinforcement within the unit would have been easier to control when the units were made off site rather than being cast as part of the building works. There are some cracks which

Sir Basil Spence’s Canongate Housing – Conservation Statement 57 could be made good by chemical injection and pointing. One crack is in the corner unit to the sill of the window immediately above the Canongate Stores. Occasionally lintels and sills also have cracks in them but they are unlikely to have any structural effect. Some joints between cast stones are open. These joints should be pointed with a weak cement mortar in much the same way as would be carried out for stone masonry. The cast stone units which are most prone to cracking are the longer pieces, perhaps not surprisingly, and the pieces which have been built into the parts of the building finished with rubble rather than render. Even in these locations, the majority of the cast units are intact. On the east side of 3 Brown's Close near the south east corner there is one instance of apparent spalling from a reinforcement bar. The biggest impact on the overall significance of the building from these cast units is not their condition but their appearance. Unfortunately, they tend to stain more in the manner of concrete than stone with some patterns from water run off. Where water run off has been concentrated or where there is a shadow from water run off there is a Figure 67 Spalling on pre-cast concrete general darkening and often this forms elements on block 3. S&B horizontal bands of staining. In some places the concrete around the windows has had paint spilled over it. This is particularly noticeable from external paint on the back of 2 Brown’s Close running down over one of the lintels. Whilst such unintended actions cannot be considered to have diminished the significance of these elements to any measurable degree, this paint should be removed. 6.1.4 External services The biggest change to the external appearance of the building, apart from decay and darkening of materials, is in the external expression of the adaption of the building for additional services. This is clear, for instance, on the back of 2 Brown's Close with the addition of gas or water pipes – this is unfortunate given the original design carefully incorporated ducts for services in the original plans (see Figure 69). These pipes appear to have been introduced to each flat. They have been introduced externally and their runs do not coincide with any architectural lines. There are Figure 68 Services added to north elevation numerous positions where vents from of block 2. S&B

58 Sir Basil Spence’s Canongate Housing – Conservation Statement boilers and overflows have been cut through the harl and the concrete bands around windows. Large television aerials have been introduced, particularly on the 2 Brown's Close block. Television aerials would be less visible on some of the flat roofs. The parapeted roofs at the head of the stone built elements at the end of Figure 69 Detail of archival drawing each block offer an opportunity to hide showing ducts for services. It is not known large satellite dishes. There are some why this has not been reused. external cables on the face of the buildings. At 3 Brown's Close appears that the decision has been taken that the side facing the court to the west is more significant than the side facing to the east. Services have been added to the east, leaving the west unaffected. There are considerable external cables fitted to the building, probably for television cables. On the north side of 2 Brown's Close the cables miss the opportunity of passing up in a re-entrant check between the rubble built wall and the harl and are just placed directly onto the rubble. There are various external cables around the Kilderkin pub. In some places, on the Canongate side, above Campbell's Close, drilling for an overflow has burst off a piece of harl. This area has been repaired but not repainted. On the western block services have been kept off the side facing the Canongate apart from some street lighting with external cables. There are some trailing cables, particularly at third floor level above the Canongate stores. This cable could at least be tidied up. The gas pipes and main vent flues are on the back elevation. This is partly because the north side has been considered to be the back but also because the kitchens are on this side. 6.1.5 Eaves boards

Figure 70 Eaves boards –specified as asbestos on archival drawings. S&B

The eaves boards are shown a white colour on the perspective design drawings. These boards appear to retain the original hard fibre board. They have been nailed from the outside face. At the base of each fascia board there is a short drip, possibly about 10-15mm beyond the plane of the soffit board. These boards look to be the original materials because they are consistent but also because the harling has been finished over them. If they had been replaced at any stage then the harling at the top end would have been broken. These boards should be respected because they are in their original material. The state of staining and decay detracts from the original

Sir Basil Spence’s Canongate Housing – Conservation Statement 59 aesthetic intent. One possible response to the discoloration from staining would be painting. Test samples would be needed to ensure that a long life paint finish is possible might be attempted. These boards might contain asbestos, as this is stated on some of the archival drawings. Although asbestos content need not prevent painting, it might inhibit preparation for future painting. Preparation for a further coat of paint could not be sanded, for instance, without a risk to the painter, if these boards do contain asbestos. 6.1.6 Balconies The balconies are the most distinctive architectural elements on the buildings, both as a signature of the architect but also as a particular motif at the Canongate housing. The balconies vary in width. Some balconies are in vertical strips on the stone finished end blocks. There are wider balconies grouped together at the centre of the north side of the main east and west blocks. They are given additional interest by being placed at the point where there is a change of level as the blocks step down the hill from west to east. The construction of the balconies appears to be by a repeated use of form work for each stack of balconies. This has meant that the balconies did not precisely align, Balconies on block 1. S&B Figure 71 although they are almost exactly the same shape and dimensions. Since the balconies are one of the main parts of the artistic expression of the building, they are worthy of particular care to conserve them. The balconies are stained as described in the policy on concrete above. This staining should be removed to improve their appearance and some cleaning would also help remove moss and weeds. The concrete of the balconies needs to be repaired where it has split, is pock marked, or where the surface has been broken away by rusting reinforcement. The railings in the balconies were consistent. In a few places, such as the north side of the west block at the extreme western end, first floor, they have been replaced but in general these railings survive and are in good condition. All external metalwork should be wire brushed and repainted. These balconies are the principal places for variety of external personal expressions by the owner or tenant of each flat. The complexity of different planting treatments and the variety of uses of the balconies is attractive. It could be more attractive if these balconies themselves were more consistent in appearance to act as a foil for this variety of treatment.

60 Sir Basil Spence’s Canongate Housing – Conservation Statement 6.1.7 Doors

Figure 72 Communal entry door to 71 Figure 73 Doors to stores in block 3. S&B Canongate. S&B

The doors to service areas are framed and ledged, often with vee-jointed timber and louvers. This type of door has been used for pram stores and for the rear doors for shops. They have been painted a variety of colours and it is not clear if alterations have been made. The pram store doors in 3 Brown's Close are flush finished. The doors to the stairs for flats are glazed with wire glass and two large panels. The handle which has a single plate of timber forming a square at 3 Brown's Close is the original one. 3 Brown's Close also has the apparently original arrangement of varnish, timber with shadow gap detailing at the corner and head. Above the glazed screen which also contains wired glass are further fibreboard panels which possibly contain asbestos. Some doors are in poor condition, notably the door to the west end of the north side of the main east block next to Campbell's Close (behind no.71). The doors at 71 and also to Clarinda's Tearoom are also original and have retained their timber handles, although the one at no.71 is broken. All original doors to Kilderkin appear to have been altered. Some of the doors to the common stairs, for instance on 2 Brown's Close, have been altered. Some of the doors have a lot of graffiti. The doors to service areas were painted. The original colour is not obvious now. It might have varied according to the adjacent colour painted onto the finish of the harl.

Sir Basil Spence’s Canongate Housing – Conservation Statement 61 6.1.8 Windows

Figure 74 Elevations of block 1 showing changes to windows. Windows highlighted in pink have had their original fenestration pattern altered, those highlighted in blue are those which do not have white frames.

Figure 75 Elevations of block 2 showing changes to windows. Windows highlighted in pink have had their original fenestration pattern altered.

62 Sir Basil Spence’s Canongate Housing – Conservation Statement

Figure 76 Elevations of block 3 showing changes to windows. Windows highlighted in pink have had their original fenestration pattern altered.

A number of windows have been altered, and this affects all elevations of each block. The majority of these changes have been to incorporate double glazing to improve thermal and acoustic performance. Unfortunately, some of these alterations have been carried out in unsuitable materials – uPVC in particular – or with fenestration patterns that disrupt the cohesion of the overall design. This is particularly apparent where opening mechanisms are different and thicker frames have been required, and at the balconies where the asymmetrical arrangement has been lost, and where the segmental-arch has presented difficulties for standard uPVC window suppliers. There are, however, examples of best practice where double-glazing has been incorporated using timber frames that match the original fenestration pattern. A particularly good example is that installed at the Juliet balcony to the north-most top- floor apartment of block three. Another example is the east-most second floor apartment of block two, where the top-hung opening windows closely match the original, although the sliding window on the rubble-faced part of the elevation has been changed and has lost its central glazing bar. 6.1.9 Planters and Walls To the rear courtyards in particular, there are walls built of squared rubble brought to courses. They have a fairly narrow concrete copes with single pitch weathering. There walls are in remarkably good condition. Moss could be cleared out from joints and, in some places, small trees should be removed from copes. Where these trees have established, behind the western end of the west block, copes will have to be lifted to ensure that roots are removed. The roots of these trees have caused some jacking which will need to be repointed. At the western end of the western section of

Sir Basil Spence’s Canongate Housing – Conservation Statement 63 wall there is some cracking due to slight differential movement between this wall and the block to the west. Open joints should be repointed. The walls are part of planters. These planters are full of a wide variety of bushes and trees. Possibly these bushes have reached a greater maturity and density than originally intended. In the eastern part of this planter all of the copes on the wall to the north need to be lifted and rebedded. There is a smaller planter which marks a short flight of steps to Lochend Close. The copes around this planter are out of position and need to be rebedded into their original position. To the north of the eastern block there is one planter made of shuttered concrete. This block has a better finish than the balconies, possibly because it has been scrubbed clean of moss. This planter contains small flowers and shrubs, the variety and colour is attractive. Further north there is a further wall around a communal garden. The walls around this garden are a brick wall facing the close. This wall has a brick cope. It is mainly a retaining wall. This is not part of the Spence scheme. There is some structural concern about this wall which is leaning outwards and has some open joints at its base. At the head of the close there is a further shuttered concrete planter which is in fair condition and a rubble stone planter which needs some copes rebedded next to the stair up to the garden. 6.1.10 Railings Railings are built to a similar pattern throughout with a frame fixed horizontally to the surrounding concrete or stone. The horizontal fixings are a set an equal distance down and up from the top and bottom rails. Railings are used in balconies but also in the internal stair access to Brown's Close and in the flush balconies, for instance, at the north west corner of 3 Brown's Close. The railings on the east wall of the Kilderkin pub are not original. The railings to the stairs and also internal stairs have studs on the upper surface of their sloping sections, presumably to discourage climbing. Many railings are rusted but few are so badly rusted that they require replacement and all are in a sufficiently complete condition to be wire brushed and repainted. 6.1.11 External colours The external colours appear to be largely close to the original. A pink brown colour is the dominant colour used on the render. This accounts for about three quarters of the colours used on the building. As a highlighting colour generally in recessed strips but also across ground floor, a much bolder terracotta red has been used on the render. In all cases this has appeared to be a painted finish rather than a colour in the render. In one place, next to the door of 99 Canongate, a light green colour has been used. It is not clear if this is an alteration. The displacement of the light fitting on the top level of the concrete access stair to 2 Brown's Close shows the earlier colour that has been applied to the render of this building. It was a more vibrant orange ochre – more closely reflecting, perhaps, the presentation elevation shown in Figure 8.

64 Sir Basil Spence’s Canongate Housing – Conservation Statement

Figure 77 Later paint finish above more vibrant orange colour beneath

This painted finish should be analysed and the original colour recorded. It is unlikely that the current staining of the render was part of the original aesthetic intention. Render has been disfigured where there has been graffiti on the north side of the western block. 6.1.12 Rubble walling

Figure 78 Example portion of rubble stone finish to 2 Brown’s Close.

The rubble finish is almost universally in very good condition. In some places at the copes, some repointing is required but otherwise the cement pointing has remained in position and intact. 3 Brown's Close has some impact damage on its rubble walling at ground floor level. This is one of the few rubble panels, facing east, which has been altered by the installation of vents from boilers. Gas or water pipes also pass over this walling. It is unfortunate that these gas pipes have not been fitted in straight lines.

Sir Basil Spence’s Canongate Housing – Conservation Statement 65 At the head of 2 Brown's Close the eastern block of rubble has been repointed using a lighter colour of cement mortar, possibly more flush than the original. There have also been some repairs at the eastern elevation of the west block. 6.1.13 Render The majority of the face of the buildings has a render finish. The render is a fairly rough, large aggregate, wet cast render. It has been painted with two colours to increase the variety of the appearance of the building and also to emphasise vertical elements. The main damage to render has been caused by the installation of services, such as vents and flue terminals. In some cases overflow pipes have been drilled from within and have broken a piece of render. It will be necessary to patch the render properly before reapplication of a painted finish. Attempts to colour the render after patching are rare. The building would look more unified if render repairs are made and a fresh coat of paint applied. The general condition of the render appears good despite the large number of small- scale alterations. There is little sign of overall failure of render, such as cracking. The render surface is the most prone to graffiti. This can be tackled, and has been in the past, by repainting areas at ground floor level where the graffiti has occurred. One wall of render on the west side of 3 Brown’s Close between the second and third floor has a substantial crack through it. This might suggest that this particular panel of render is not securely fixed against its backing. Embedded in the render on the rear of 2 Brown's Close there are some rusted service pipes which have pushed off the surface of the render. This problem seems to be isolated to this particular part of the building.

Figure 79 Render pushed off by rusted service pipe on 2 Brown’s Close.

One of the most notable examples of this is to the east wall of 2/3 and 2/4 Brown's Close next to a cast stone window reveal. There is an embedded pipe which seems to be causing a crack from the roof level of the first floor past the second floor. It is not particularly evident above this level. Above the top landing of this stair, next to the door to 2/5 and 2/6 Brown's Close is a further panel where this render has broken

66 Sir Basil Spence’s Canongate Housing – Conservation Statement off due to rusting pipes behind. The pipes seem to be the electrical supply for the external lighting. It is possible that this s the only place where external lighting has been needed for an external concrete stair and so this is the only place where render has been damaged in this way. There are some strips of smooth render, for instance next to panels of rubble stone. 6.1.14 Pends

Figure 80 Pend at Campbell’s Close, at the entrance to 71 Canongate.

A significant part of the character of the area is in the use of pends and closes to pass from the Canongate into the areas behind. In most cases these are characterised by concrete vaulting. The ground surface is paved with concrete paving slabs with some in situ concrete around the base of the columns. Campbell's Close has open joints around the slabs and also some uneven areas of paving which should be lifted and rebedded. The paving in Campbell's Close is of a different character than the more stone coloured concrete slabs next to 99 Canongate. These slabs have weathered better but need to be cleaned. The landscaping to the north of the buildings uses concrete slabs with some strips of river washed stones set into a concrete and with in-situ cast steps. Most of these areas are in fair condition. They require some overhaul and general cleaning. In the paved areas there are moss in joints and a general need for pointing. A parking area to the rear of 97 and 99 Canongate is finished in tarmac, as are the pavements around it which have concrete kerbs. This area is made attractive, however, by a tree and some substantial bushes around the edges of the area. There is a variety and invention in the design of the landscaping. Each space to the south of the main block is given an individual character. The area to the north of 2 Brown's Close, for instance, is an area of bedrock surrounded by river washed stones. Other parts of this landscaping have gaps in the paving left for shrubs and planting. There is a strip of tarmac to the rear of the eastern blocks which gives the impression

Sir Basil Spence’s Canongate Housing – Conservation Statement 67 of a close but is inaccessible to traffic. This tarmac is in poorer condition than most of the rest of the tarred landscaping. There is one very crude repair next to the concrete planter behind Clarinda’s Tea Room. The area to the east of the Brown's Close blocks is an area of parking finished with tarmac and surrounded by concrete kerbs. Several of the kerbs are missing or damaged. 6.1.15 Vents Vents are the most obvious points of damage to the outside face of walls. Vents for boilers have been placed where needed for the boilers inside. In some cases this has led to an untidy elevation on the outside because the vents do not line up. The original vents in the buildings are of a standard horizontal grill design. The lack of a common flue terminal is also unfortunate. In some case, boiler vents have an obvious condensate run-off.

Figure 81 Example of condensate run off from a boiler flue and damage to pre-cast concrete.

6.1.16 Shops and Shop Fronts A standard design was provided for shop fronts for the two shops at the western block – now Canongate Stores and The Genuine Article, and for the western of the two shops to the eastern block - Clarinda's Tea Room. The treatment of the eastern unit - now Kilderkin pub - seems always to have been different. The way that the shops have been treated by their owners or tenants has varied. Canongate Stores do not use the shop window as a way of seeing into or providing light to the interior. The window has become a space for advertising. There are further newspaper advertisements and newspaper stands, freestanding signs, signs pasted onto the glass of the lobby at the bottom of the adjacent common stair. There are also three projecting signs for Payzone, National Lottery, and for the Canongate Stores itself marked with the Daily Record and Sunday Mail. This shop front is untidy and gives an impression of visual clutter but it is understood that this kind of shop needs to be visible in order to attract passing trade. The knitwear shop, The Genuine Article, is the least altered of the shop fronts. In this case there are no projecting signs and no fascia sign. Indication of the name of the

68 Sir Basil Spence’s Canongate Housing – Conservation Statement shop is placed on the window glass with relatively few other signs. The shop attracts passing trade by knitwear hung on hooks in the external lobby and fixed to the face of the glazed stair lobby at no.99 Canongate. 6.2 Recommendations 6.2.1 Significance It is important that the significance of Sir Basil Spence’s Canongate House and its components are respected, retained and enhanced where possible in future use and management of the site. This does not mean that changes cannot be made within the buildings for functional reasons. It means that changes must be based on sound understanding and made with proper consideration and care. Work of Considerable Significance Works of considerable significance should be retained and respected and worked in carefully and considerately into any future development of the properties. These parts of the building may be changed, with care, to make them suitable for a new use. However, any proposed alterations must be considered on a case by case basis to determine the appropriateness of the proposal. Work of Moderate Significance While there should be a general presumption against change, areas of moderate significance should be regarded as being capable of being altered, providing such alteration can be justified and providing it is planned and executed with appropriate consideration, skill and care. Negative Elements Negative elements detract from the heritage value of the building and should be removed if the opportunity arises and the original layout and fabric made good as far as possible. The significance of Sir Basil Spence’s Canongate Housing should not be put at risk and good conservation principles should be followed when considering alterations. Conservation principles for works to historic fabric should be sufficiently flexible to achieve an appropriate balance between the need to protect the significance of the building and the need for it to live, be used and to ‘earn its keep’. 6.2.2 Conservation Principles In general, all work should be carried out in accordance with the British Standard Guide to the Principles of Conservation of Historic Buildings BS7913:1998. The definitions of terms used in this conservation management plan are those set out in BS7913. Appropriate intervention that is minimised, with particular reference to repairs – no change should be effected without proper consideration, justification and good reason. Repair should be preferred to replacement, where possible. Repair should use like-for-like techniques and materials. Materials should be salvaged and re-used where possible. Priority should be given to maintaining and enhancing the integrity of the historic fabric over other regulations and requirements.

Sir Basil Spence’s Canongate Housing – Conservation Statement 69 New work should be considered and appropriate, and should be of the highest quality in terms of design, material and workmanship, whether it is in matching or contrasting style. Adequate historical research, investigative opening-up, recording and sampling should be carried out where possible before and during work (as necessary) to inform good design and technical solutions. The design of repair works should be undertaken with a thorough knowledge of traditional construction history and practice. Repair work should be designed to be carried out safely and consideration should be given to safety issues arising from the continued maintenance of the building. It is essential that conservation work is carried out by experienced tradespeople. The work should be designed, specified and inspected by a suitably experienced and accredited conservation architect as deemed necessary. A large part of the success of any project is in the understanding of the task and sharing of experience between all professionals and all the tradespeople involved. Whether in repair, restoration or alteration, new work should be considered and appropriate, and should be identifiable to a discerning eye. Particular attention should be paid to matters of detail to help preserve and enhance fabric and character including, for example, specific choice of materials, detailed location of services, methods of fixing, etc. Fabric or spaces to be altered or removed should be adequately recorded before works, following relevant guidelines and the record lodged with an appropriate public archive, such as the Edinburgh City Archives, the Edinburgh Room at the Edinburgh Central Library, or the RCAHMS. Harm could result from differing approaches or standards in different parts of the building, such as changes in appearance or character. A holistic approach is important. 6.2.3 Specific Recommendations Elevations The elevations to Canongate and Brown’s Close should be considered in the wider context of the Old Town Conservation Area and the contribution that the housing makes to the World Heritage Site. As such, alterations and repairs should be cohesive and any impact on the overall appreciation of the design kept to a minimum. Any new boiler flues should apply for listed building consent in the normal manner – care should be taken to ensure that the harling is not left unrepaired if damaged. Repairs should be painted to match the colour of the surrounding surface. One wall of render on the west side of 3 Brown’s Close between the second and third floor has a substantial crack through it. This might suggest that this particular panel of render is not securely fixed against its backing, and needs to be investigated. Consideration should be given to repainting the relevant parts of the principal elevations. The building would look more unified if render repairs are made and a fresh coat of paint applied. This painted finish should be analysed and the original colour recorded. It is unlikely that the current staining of the render was part of the

70 Sir Basil Spence’s Canongate Housing – Conservation Statement original aesthetic intention. Render has been disfigured where there has been graffiti on the north side of the western block, and this should be repaired. The rear elevations should be treated as being of equal significance to the street elevations – particularly as the architectural statement is bolder. The rear elevations should not be treated as ‘lesser’ elevations in terms of maintenance, or in planning terms. The concrete above the Kilderkin pub frontage has been painted. This paint finish detracts from the overall significance of the building. The paint finish should be removed both from the front face where it has been painted which and from the underside where it has been painted dark. The issues relating to the cracks in the east wall of 2 Brown’s Close as detailed in section 6.1.13 needs to be investigated. Upgrading of Thermal Performance & Energy Efficiency Consideration could be given first to cavity wall insulation as this would have the minimum impact on significance. Insulation applied to interior wall faces would be another option with minimal impact on significance, although this would result in a minor loss of floor space. External insulation is likely to be unsuitable without significant works to amend window surrounds and re-create external elevation surface treatments that both mimic the original design intention, and remain appropriate in the wider historic setting. There is potential to increase insulation to the floors of the attic drying areas, further insulating residential properties below, or to add insulation to ceilings of the top floor flats. In addition, properties directly above the open pends may benefit from additional insulation, and this would have minimal impact on significance.

Figure 82 Example of an approximately south-west facing monopitch roof.

Because of the alignment of most of the monopitch roof slopes, they may be ideal for the installation of PV and thermal solar panels – these would not be visible from street level in the immediate surroundings. Whilst it is likely that the panels would be visible from higher ground – for example from Regent Road – it should be

Sir Basil Spence’s Canongate Housing – Conservation Statement 71 understood that the existing roofs are entirely utilitarian, using materials that denote these roof surfaces as being of lesser architectural significance. Whilst the introduction of reflective dark panels would change the character of these roofs, it would not be to the detriment of the Canongate Housing development, and the impact on the wider Conservation Area and World Heritage Site could be mitigated were the layout of these panels, and the treatment of the whole roof surface, carefully designed. Because of the unequal distribution of suitable roof surfaces – not all pitches face south or west – any installation should be considered as a site-wide installation that benefits the housing development as a whole, and where all of the roofs surfaces are considered as part of a cohesive scheme. There is also potential for communal services that serve the housing development as a whole, on a block-by-block basis. Options that could be explored include district heating systems or combined heat and power systems. If attic spaces are not going to return to use for drying laundry, these spaces could be utilised for communal installations, structural assessments permitting. It is unlikely that ground-source heat pumps or similar would be cost effective or advisable given the likelihood of archaeological remains below ground level in this historically intensively developed part of the Canongate. Cast In-situ Concrete The condition of these elements is discussed in section 6.1.2. Particular issues regarding staining, cracking and spalling need to be addressed. These have been address in the separate Concrete Analysis report by Will Rudd Davidson. Pre-cast Concrete Pre-cast concrete was primarily used for the window surrounds on the principal elevation. There are fewer examples of failure in these elements, but reference could be made to the original drawing related to the elements that is held by the RCAHMS (Digital copies of these drawings have the following reference numbers: DP 136434 & DP134435). See also section 6.1.3. External Services A consistent approach to the installation of cables and other services is required. Section 6.1.4 highlights the potential to use flat roofs for television aerials and satellite dishes. Consideration could also be given to creating communal installations – satellite and terrestrial aerial - that supply each block. Opportunities to pass cabling up in discreet locations, such as re-entrant angles, should be encouraged. Trailing cables should be tidied up. Balconies The balconies have been identified as being the elements of greatest significance in the development as a whole, and are highlighted as being of considerable significance. This is because of their bold architectural statement, and because of the connection to Sir Basil Spence’s wider architectural oeuvre. This staining should be removed to improve their appearance and some cleaning would also help remove moss and weeds. The concrete of the balconies needs to be repaired where it has split, is pock marked, or the surface has been broken away by rusting reinforcement. All external metalwork should be wire brushed and repainted. See also section 6.1.6.

72 Sir Basil Spence’s Canongate Housing – Conservation Statement Doors Doors discussed in section 6.1.7 that are original should be repaired and maintained, and used a design template for future reinstatement elsewhere. The colour of paint used on doorways should be left as an individual choice of the resident or occupier, but only elements that were painted in different colours should be painted as such – elements such as surrounds or timber frames that were varnished or painted white should be maintained. Windows Existing City of Edinburgh Council planning policies relating to the historic environment, and listed buildings and conservation areas in particular, should be applied consistently. For example, applications to install uPVC windows should be resisted, particularly where the original fenestration pattern will be lost. It is unfortunate that since the building was listed, existing planning policy has not been applied consistently. In any instances where existing uPVC are to be replaced – which as a short-life material is likely to in the short to medium term – property owners should be encouraged to replace the windows with windows of a suitable material, matching the established fenestration pattern. Replacements on the basis of precedent should be resisted. Were there to be a future project to replace all the windows, for example as part of a site-wide energy-efficiency programme, the opportunity could be taken to install high-performance windows that present a consistent, and sympathetic design across the development. This need not precisely match the original fenestration pattern – it is more important that the overall design is coherent and appropriate to a 1960s building. A particularly challenging window type is the sliding aluminium windows on the Canongate elevations which light the living rooms. These are difficult to replicate – but the most successful alternative design is the single-panel opening, without central glazing bar (for example, as seen to the east-most apartments on the second and third floors of block two). Although this does not match the original pattern, it is more successful than other replacements, and is easier to replicate. See also section 6.1.8. Landscaping & Open Areas The most significant open areas are the pends beneath blocks one and two – these are approximately in the location of historic closes, and they allow pedestrian movement between Canongate and the courtyard behind, and views through the site and towards Calton Hill. Some lifting and rebidding of paved areas, as detailed in section 6.1.14, is required, but otherwise the pends should be retained and maintained as a key feature of the site. The original planters and walls to the rear courtyards are generally in good condition, but it should be recognised in any future landscaping scheme that they are a valuable part of the original design, and should be considered as part of the listed building. They can be maintained, but should not be drastically altered or removed. There is a smaller planter which marks a short flight of steps to Lochend Close. The copes around this planter are out of position and need to be rebedded into their original position.

Sir Basil Spence’s Canongate Housing – Conservation Statement 73 The surface treatments using reclaimed stone setts are also significant as a popular design approach for regenerative housing from this particular period, and should be considered as part of the listed building. See also sections 6.1.9 and 6.1.14. Railings Many railings are rusted but few are so badly rusted that they require replacement and all are in a sufficiently complete condition to be wire brushed and repainted. See also section 6.1.10. Asbestos A comprehensive list of surface material containing asbestos should be curated, using, as appropriate, original drawings and test samples. This should then inform future decisions regarding replacement, and or appropriate maintenance routines – for example the eaves boards (see section 6.1.5). Attic Drying Areas These should remain fully vented as originally intended. In the interests of energy efficiency and prevention of damp conditions to the interiors of properties, residents could be encouraged to use these areas for drying of laundry. Making the areas more attractive, and secure, could assist in this, as could improving storage facilities in order to free up the floor space. Internal Communal Stairs Entryphone systems should be properly maintained – when such systems fail, this often results in both inconvenience to residents and a lack of security when doors are left open to aide access. Original flat entrance doors should be retained, and encouragement made to returning those that have changed to the original design when the opportunity arises. External Stair Tower This has assessed to be of considerable significance, and should be understood as being a major feature of the overall concept of the development. Its bold structural form could almost be considered as being an architectural contribution to the Canongate in its own right. Bearing in mind both the significance of this feature, and its potential for higher maintenance costs, consideration should be made as to managing it as a feature that is the responsibility of the development as a whole – i.e. not just the responsibility of the six flats that are accessed from it. It is as important, if not more so, than the external landscaping which could also be considered to be communal to the site as a whole. There is potential for lighting to be improved that provides both an enhancement to security for residents, but also aides appreciation of the structure by the public when viewed from the Canongate – although consideration would have to be made to ensure that this did not encourage intrusive use of the staircase by non-residents. Residents’ Design Manual Consideration could be given to drawing up a design manual that explains the important features of the building complex, and ensures that residents are fully informed about the requirement to apply for listed building consent for certain

74 Sir Basil Spence’s Canongate Housing – Conservation Statement works. This conservation statement could form part of this design manual. Highlights of original features, why they are important, and consistent approaches to repair or replacement, for example by highlighting suppliers or installers that meet the expectation of best practice, could be included. The design manual could be disseminated digitally, and updated with the knowledge and experience of residents. Residents’ Association & Factoring Consideration should be given to establishing a site-wide residents’ association – perhaps with the support of external partners in terms of offering advice and accommodation for meetings. Such an association could also assist in site-wide maintenance issues, reducing the burden on residents who currently lead such action, and helping to prevent minor issues aggregating into more expensive problems. Consideration could also be given to appointing a factor for the site. 6.2.4 Statutory & Non-Statutory Constraints Listed Building Consent Sir Basil Spence’s Canongate Housing is listed at category B. Listing gives a building statutory protection against unauthorised demolition, alteration and extension. The curtilage, as defined by the local authority, may include other buildings on the site, although this is unlikely if they are not contemporary with the main building. The conservation statement cannot give definitive advice however, and this should be negotiated by the local authority in consultation with Historic Scotland. It is important that listed building consent is obtained prior to works being carried out. Although it may not answer specific questions raised as part of a Listed Building Consent application, the conservation statement should be used as a tool to assist in this process. Scottish Historic Environment Policy (SHEP) The Scottish Historic Environment Policy (SHEP), December 2011 by Historic Scotland provides guidelines for listed buildings and conservation areas and should be referred to. Scottish Planning Policy This document applies the provisions of the following pieces of legislation relevant to this site: Planning (Listed Buildings and Conservation Areas) (Scotland) Act 1997 (As Amended 2011); the Ancient Monuments and Archaeological Areas Act, 1979 (As Amended 2011); the Town and Country Planning (Scotland) Act, 1997; and Planning etc. (Scotland) Act, 2006. It includes an explicit recognition of the need for informed conservation, to understand the significance of historic sites and the potential impacts that any proposed development might have. Policies relating to the Historic Environment (policy numbers 110, 111 & 112) and Listed Buildings (113 & 114) are particularly relevant to this site. Policies on Conservation Areas (115, 116 & 118) and World Heritage Sites (120 & 121) should also be referred to. It is important that SPP is consulted in detail to determine specific constraints and requirements that may apply to the study area.

Sir Basil Spence’s Canongate Housing – Conservation Statement 75 7.0 APPENDICES Appendix I: Listed Building Report

Appendices Sir Basil Spence’s Canongate Housing – Conservation Statement

Sir Basil Spence’s Canongate Housing – Conservation Statement Appendices

Appendices Sir Basil Spence’s Canongate Housing – Conservation Statement Appendix II: Conservation Area Boundary Map

Sir Basil Spence’s Canongate Housing – Conservation Statement Appendices

CEC Mapfrom the Character Appraisal showing boundary of the Old Town Conservation Area

83

Figure

Appendices Sir Basil Spence’s Canongate Housing – Conservation Statement Appendix II: World Heritage Site Boundary Map

Sir Basil Spence’s Canongate Housing – Conservation Statement Appendices

EWH Map of the centre of Edinburgh showing the boundary of the World Heritage Site outlined in red. The individual

84

Figure conservation area are also shown

Appendices Sir Basil Spence’s Canongate Housing – Conservation Statement Appendix IV: Sir Basil Spence Archive Manuscript Transcriptions

Sir Basil Spence’s Canongate Housing – Conservation Statement Appendices The following text has been transcribed from audio recordings of individual manuscripts held in the Sir Basil Spence Archive held at the RCAHMS, catalogue number MS 2329/SCT/44/1. They are not therefore, to be read as accurate reproductions of the original typescripts, but care has been taken to ensure that the tone and meaning of each item has been accurately recorded.

4 March 1959 Copy of Letter from P S Ferguson esq. to A Steele esq, City Architect Dear Mr Steele, We should be most interested in accepting the challenge represented by dealing with the development of the Royal Mile you mentioned the other day and thank you for considering us in this connection. As you know Mr Spence is abroad on RIBA business at present, but if we can take any instructions in the meantime, we shall be glad to do so. Yours sincerely, Peter S Ferguson

31 March 1959 Copy of letter from A Steele esq. ARIBA. City Architect, City Chamber Dear Sirs, RE: 83/93 Canongate, 2 Reid's Court & Lochend Close I am authorised to inform you that you have been appointed to act as architects to the Corporation on the above contract on the following terms: 1) You appointment and remuneration will be in accordance with the conditions of engagement and the scale of professional charges of the Royal Incorporation of Architects in Scotland as appropriate to the work. With specific reference to section a) of the conditions of engagement I would draw attention to the sections 4 and 5. 2) The works embraced in this contract are to be carried out in accordance with the regulations and general conditions of contract for buildings works in Scotland as adopted by the City of Edinburgh Corporation. A copy of these together with the general notes applicable to this contract will be forwarded to you at a later date. The contract will be placed on a fixed price basis for labour and materials. A notification of the appointment of the quantity surveyor will be sent to you. I should be pleased to receive your formal acceptance of this commission, Yours faithfully, Alex Steele

Appendices Sir Basil Spence’s Canongate Housing – Conservation Statement 1 April 1959 Copy of letter from Mssrs Basil Spence & Partners to the City Architect Dear Sir, RE: 83/93 Canongate, 2 Reid's Court & We thank you for the letter of 31st March and we are pleased to accept the appointment to act as architects for Corporation on the above contract. We hope to have the opportunity of discussing the appointment of quantity surveyor at the appropriate time. Yours faithfully,

24 April 1959 Memorandum of meeting in the City Chambers Re: Canongate Development, Lochend Close Present: Mr Steele; Mr Murchison & Mr Ferguson Mr Steele pointed out that the derelict buildings by Printer's Close have been the subject of a scheme produced by Marwick and they waited for the final decision by the appropriate bodies as to whether the facade would be required to be maintained, or whether this whole section up to Reid's Court would be redeveloped. Such redevelopment would be carried out by Marwick but would obviously have a bearing on what would happen in the Lochend Close section. The Manse, in the course of renovation, remains, as do two renovated buildings to north and west of the site, but the tall blocks marked 10, 12, 15 and 17 on the Ordnance Survey come away together with the red brick building at the back of the site. Consideration was also given to the treatment of the area at present occupied by the Gas Board yard. Mr Steele referred to the possibility of some form of slab block there. It was agreed that, in fact, the brief covered the area to the west of Reid's Court and as far back as the boundary of the Gas Board's yard. With the reservations above mentioned, it would be left entirely to the architects as to how much accommodation might be provided on either side might be dealt with. The essential being to provide a nursery and living accommodation. Mr Steele asked that if possible the scheme should be available for submission to the appropriate committees by the 7 July. Mr Ferguson pointed out that this was really very little time for such a tricky and important scheme, but that the architects would make every effort to make the date if possible. Copied to Mr Spence 28 April 1959.

Sir Basil Spence’s Canongate Housing – Conservation Statement Appendices 4 May 1959 Letter to Peter S Ferguson My dear Peter, I was very glad to receive your memorandum of the meeting in the City Chambers on Friday 24 April. Actually the 7th July is very close, but I think you were quite right in saying that we will have a bash at doing it. Please send me down as soon as you can the outline planning solution, and we will give it the architectural coat. I am very inclined to a slabby pierced- wall thing, which ought to be in harmony with the old work. It should be a wonderful opportunity to get vitality in to the Royal Mile. I am still most anxiously waiting your photographs of the theatre block at the Western General. Yours, [Basil]

16 February 1960 Letter to Basil Spence Dear Basil, Thank you for the letter of the 15th and interesting redevelopment drawings of the Canongate. I think these are very much better. I wonder, however, in view of the City's rather vague brief whether we would not be better to submit a sketch plan scheme at 1/16 inch scale before developing things much further. Perhaps we could discuss this on Friday. Regarding Virology, I think that we can certainly do something about the white trim to the window, but I am not a bit happy about using plastic in view of its behaviour in exposed positions, heat etc. Yours, Peter

26 February 1960 Letter to Miss Penelope Drake-Brockman Dear Penny, Many thanks for the copies of the Canongate print and your acknowledgement of the Wylie Shanks and Wylie drawings. I know that Mr Spence is down in Beaulieu for the next week. Yours sincerely, Peter S Ferguson

Appendices Sir Basil Spence’s Canongate Housing – Conservation Statement 20th April 1961 Letter from Edinburgh Corporation RE: Canongate Redevelopment, Reid's Court Area Exactly the same as letter dated 31 March 1959. Yours faithfully, City Architect

27 April 1961 Letter to the City Architect Dear Sir, RE: Canongate Redevelopment, Reid's Court Area We acknowledge with thanks your letter of 20 April but wonder if we could ask you to amplify this in the light of your earlier letter of appointment of 31 March 1959 regarding the Reid's Court and Lochend Close area. May we take it this now covers the full area for which we submitted certain sketch details. Yours faithfully,

5 Jun 1961 Letter to the City Architect Dear Sir, RE: Canongate Redevelopment As discussed with you, Sir Basil will be reconsidering the scheme but we regret that he will not be able to give it his detailed attention until the autumn. Meanwhile it might be as well to confirm certain outstanding points a) That you prefer stores, open space, or a limited amount of shop accommodation at ground floors rather than dwellings b) That some of this shop accommodation might be required by the craft centre c) That there may be some need for a small meeting hall for the use of the Reverend Selby Wright in the area d) That the positioning of the nursery school higher up rather than low level may be a possibility Yours faithfully,

22 June 1961 Copy of letter from the City Architect to Basil Spence & Partners Dear Sirs, RE: Canongate Redevelopment

Sir Basil Spence’s Canongate Housing – Conservation Statement Appendices I have discussed the contents of your letter of 5th June with the chairman of the housing committee and I think it is natural that he should have concern about the delay in producing a scheme for this area. The following are the answers to the questions you have raised: a) the original briefing made it quite clear that there should be no dwelling accommodation on the ground floor and that any accommodation over the shops should be on a very restricted basis. The use of this space for stores would be appropriate, but here I must express a personal opinion viz: that I believe a considerable amount of open space will be necessary to permit of interesting views to the north. b) no provision for the craft centre c) no meeting hall for the church d) subject to simple accesses, there will be no objection to a high level nursery, although one can foresee difficulty in providing the proper amount of light in with the window sizes appropriate to the Royal Mile. I should be pleased to hear from you as soon as possible about the date on which sketch plans will be available, Yours faithfully, Alex Steele City Architect

28 June 1961 Letter to the City Architect Copied to Sir Basil Spence Dear Sir, RE: Canongate Redevelopment We thank you for your letter of 22 June giving replies to the queries we have raised regarding the above scheme and requesting an early date for the receipt of sketch plans. We feel sure you will appreciated that it is extremely difficult to arrange to reconsider a scheme at short notice following the lengthy delay imposed by the Corporation since the original submission of plans, and particularly so where Sir Basil's personal time is involved. He will undoubtedly give the matter his attention as soon as he can but, as you know, he is already engaged on plans for the crematorium. We shall, however, pass copies of this correspondence on to him and see what can be done. Yours faithfully,

02 August 1961 Letter to Sir Basil Spence

Appendices Sir Basil Spence’s Canongate Housing – Conservation Statement Dear Basil, Hardie mentioned that you would like a further set of Canongate drawings and I have sent these off under separate cover. Though I think in most cases they are the same as the ones that Charlie handed to you at the end of last week's tour. I have also sent you a blocked quarter-full size of the centre section of the Glenalmond Screen for which we have as well a very large full-size detail and I am negotiating with both Whytock & Reid and Scott Morton regarding a basic price, after which the development can go forward with one or the other. I hope the meal in Paris was a success. Yours, Peter

27 Jan 1965 Letter to Sir Basil Spence Dear Sir Basil, Canongate Housing Mr Glover had hoped to have a word with you before going to Copenhagen to warn you that we were sending sketch elevations of the scheme for your approval. These have been amended along the lines of your recent suggestions and to their advantage. Having made previous amendments to suit the restrictions of site conditions, Scottish Development Department and City Engineer road policies, and the new building regulations, plans are now more or less frozen. And it is hoped to lodge the scheme with the Dean of Guild Court in the near future. As arranged with Miss Maitland, Mr Glover will probably try to telephone you on Monday for your views. Yours sincerely, ?

2 February 1965 Copy of letter to J Hardie Glover Dear Hardie, I enclose with this drawings done in great rush to try and resurrect the design of the Royal Mile scheme. I must admit to a feeling of disappointment that we could not redesign this after a lapse of so long in time, but I'm bound to say that I'm disappointed that this design has not been developed at all since my sketches, in fact it seems to have gone back a bit. If you examine the drawings that were sent to me they are perhaps the worst drawings I have ever seen go out of the Edinburgh office. I sincerely hope that these were not sent to the City for their approval. Yours,

Sir Basil Spence’s Canongate Housing – Conservation Statement Appendices [Sir Basil Spence]

8 February 1965 Letter to Sir Basil Spence Dear Basil, It was good of you to return the drawings of the Royal Mile scheme so promptly showing your amendments. this was extremely helpful and we are now proceeding on these lines. The scheme, I must say, has been a most difficult one to deal with and we have always made a point of minutely adhering to the original sketches. The amendments, however, you have suggested help the design tremendously and do not cause concern with the inevitable alterations that have had to appear on plan due to the new building regulations. As regards the calibre of drawing which was sent to you, this, I may say, was very much a quick overlay showing the alterations to the fenestration as we discussed when we last met and is in no way typical of the drawings being produced for the scheme generally. I'm hopeful that the final set to be submitted to the City for the Dean of Guild approval will be of reasonably high standard. Yours, Hardie

25 November 1966 Letter to Sir Basil Spence Dear Basil, Herewith drawings for the Canongate Boys' Club Recreation Hall which we have been to do as part of the development by Selby Wright. This, as you will see, is immediately adjacent to his manse and in fact incorporates part of an old existing building where the lavatories and changing rooms are located. The total floor area is 1,740 square feet. The total cost is £13,500. Allowance for fees, £1,500. Allowance for equipment, £1,000. The surveyors are determined that the probable cost should not be put below this figure because of the site difficulties which were expected in this area and the difficulty of building due to other adjacent buildings and walls etc. This explains, in part, the relatively high rate per square foot as discussed. Also enclosed are some photographs of the model which will help you give some indication of the relationship of the hall to the rest of the layout. As you will see, it has been developed along the simplest possible of lines, but we hope we can make it look an integral part of the development. I've now heard that the city intend to have the crematorium dedicated on the 7th February and we are doing our utmost to ensure that the job should be quite complete by that date but, of course, the earth will be showing without the grass etc. It would be most helpful if you could arrange to come up as late in January as possible and we could then go over the scheme together.

Appendices Sir Basil Spence’s Canongate Housing – Conservation Statement As mentioned, I have to be in London on the 16th December and will contact you during the day in the hope that we can probably meet in the late afternoon, as I believe you'll be returning to London about midday. I will look forward to seeing you then and we should have an opportunity of discussing various outstanding problems. Yours, Hardie

20 Sep 1968 Letter to Gavin Younger Esq Scottish & Newcastle Breweries Ltd Dear Mr Younger, RE: Jenny Ha's, Canongate Following our meeting on Wednesday when our suggestions for the interior of the pub were left with you for further consideration, I feel bound to write to you before a decision is reached to reiterate my worry that a window dressing of spurious antiquity could not fail to do harm to Scottish Brewers' public image as well as to our own professional standing. It is firmly my belief that there is so much in this city of genuine historical value that no false overlay can hope to succeed by comparison either amongst the natives or the visitors. That is why my proposals sincerely attempt to provide a background of sound materials of good-wearing quality and restrained colour, which can support a considerable addition of incidental colour in fabrics and bits and pieces of historical or local interest, not necessarily assembled all at once, or even as a completely pre-conceived scheme. This approach also would accommodate the many odds and ends which must arrive in any pub which advertises its wares, as demand and intervention produce new things. Considering the care which has been exercised designing the housing into the Canongate, not without success, I feel that only by the same type of approach can the atmosphere of the Scottish vernacular be achieved inside the pub itself, and this is what has been proposed to you. Due to this it is difficult to conceive a location where a 'Old English' or 'Jacobean' reproduction would have less chance of success than in the heart of the Canongate. Having been concerned with this project now over quite some time, I realise there is a tremendous problem involved in the approach to an interior of this nature. I and my staff have done a substantial amount of research into the problem and given it a great deal of thought. We would naturally like to see a really satisfactory conclusion reached which would do credit to us both. I do hope that some further discussion could resolve our differences with you and I would very much appreciate an early opportunity to meet with you again personally. Yours sincerely,

25 September 1968

Sir Basil Spence’s Canongate Housing – Conservation Statement Appendices Letter from Scottish Brewers Ltd to Mr Glover Dear Mr Glover RE: Jenny Ha's, Canongate Thank you for your letter of 20th September, and we quite appreciate your views. However we have always felt that we wanted to create an atmosphere somewhat undefinable of an old Scottish howff. Your design was not felt to come near enough to this concept, and we are therefore, calling in our furnishing department to do a scheme. I appreciate the interest you have taken in the project and hope that it would be possible to come back to you with a furnishing department scheme in search of some more ideas to make the place really attractive. Yours, G W Younger, Director

4 October 1968 Letter to Sir Basil Spence Dear Basil, RE: Jenny Ha's, Canongate As we discussed the Canongate pub is proving very difficult. The clients, the Scottish & Newcastle Breweries, unfortunately maintain that to date their experience in architect-designed pubs has invariably been disappointing. An atmosphere conducive to the consumption of beer in large quantities has not resulted. The scheme put forward is substantially what you and I had discussed, making full use of natural materials compromising in part to meet the client's earlier demands: stone in the floor, fronting to the bar and the vertical face of the bar; heugafelt elsewhere as floor covering; dark-dyed pine slats over the entire arched parts of the ceiling; dark-oak lining on certain walls - other walls white painted rough plaster; metalwork copper or bronze; the lighting mainly indirect on to walls in the proximity of seating, generally quite subdued but stronger over the bar and white painted walls; ceiling generally kept dark but occasionally spot-lit; a museum corner introduced to the east bar to take the place of the inglenook they felt was essential to contain Darling's original waistcoats, a portrait of Jenny Ha etc., etc.; the pew seating fitted to most walls is timber-lined with loose-leather covered cushions; chairs, ladder back, Danish; tables, specially made; curtains of strong colour and a textured material; windows facing Canongate of amber obscure glass; clerestory windows, clear glass - this to meet in part client's request that they are in fact anxious to break up the now-vertical divides into squares with horizontal astragals and multi-coloured glass; heating - unsympathetic night- store electric insisted on by client. They thought our scheme too modern and at the same time drab. Their furnishing boys have now been asked to produce their inimitable bogus

Appendices Sir Basil Spence’s Canongate Housing – Conservation Statement version which they maintain will attract the American tourists returning from visiting Holyrood Palace and make heavy beer drinkers of the locals. Enclosed is a copy of a letter sent to Gavin Younger following my meeting with him and his henchmen when our scheme was thrown out, and his reply. He's agreed that I be shown their alternative and that we have further discussions then. A compromise, however, in this instance would be quite unsatisfactory and could do us great harm. Younger more or less admitted he hated being a party to the bogus reproductions being perpetrated, but beer must be sold. I do feel a letter from you to Bill Younger could be of the greatest help. The housing, after a difficult and extremely prolonged birth promises extremely well and it would be disastrous to have control of the pub exterior and a Younger's bogus interior. I am sending some of the drawings of our scheme. These were hurriedly prepared for our unexpected meeting. Perhaps they could be returned when you have seen them. Youngers home address is: William McEwan Younger, Bart; 29 Moray Place, Edinburgh Yours, Hardie

08 October 1968 Letter to Sir William McEwan Younger, 29 Moray Place, from Sir Basil Spence. Copy sent to Hardie Glover Dear Bill, My partner in Edinburgh, Hardie Glover, telephoned me about a problem that we have in connection with the reconstruction of part of the Canongate. You probably know that we were asked to include a public house in this new development and I understand this is one of yours. The history of this scheme goes back many years and I was personally involved with the design and also the shape and form of the pub. When it was originally conceived we thought of it as a wood, leather and copper interior having the essence of a traditional pub but harmonising with the architecture as a whole. The scheme was submitted by us to your people and it was rejected. There was no question of compromise. It was just thrown back. The inference was that we were incapable of designing something that would be popular. Surely our track record belies this: Britain Can Make It at the V&A, the Enterprise Scotland Exhibition, the Scottish Industries Exhibition in the Kelvin Hall, and lastly and more recently, the British Pavilion in Montreal which had a record attendance and was never without very long queues. As far as restaurants are concerned, I need only mention The Aperatif, which was a success from the start. I feel convinced that we can design a pub that would break records for beer consumption. Please help me over this,

Sir Basil Spence’s Canongate Housing – Conservation Statement Appendices Yours

17 October 1968 Letter from Bill, Scottish & Newcastle Breweries Ltd RE: Abbey Brewery Dear Basil I have been a lot away from Edinburgh hence the delay in replying to your letter of October 8th. I was not in touch with the details here, though, of course, I knew about the public house included in the scheme. I've raised the matter now with the people concerned. There seems to be some slight discrepancy here. Our people tell me that, for reasons of internal layout and working, they rejected the original scheme. But it came back with no appreciable change. Instructions were then given to our own department to propose a scheme for the interior in accordance with our experience. I do not think that in all the circumstances I can very well intervene at this stage to rescind this decision. I am sorry about it. Bill

21 October 1968 Letter to Sir William McEwan Younger Bt from Sir Basil Spence Dear Bill, I shall of course have to accept your decision with deep regret and disappointment and I have sent a copy of your letter to Edinburgh. I am convinced however that far too little time was given us for this work. In fact, because of the little time, we could not be consulted on the scheme that was submitted. The only contribution I was able to make was a preliminary design. If more time had been allowed we could have developed the scheme into something that was really worthwhile. I too am sorry about it. Yours,

21 October 1968 Letter from Sir Basil Spence's Secretary (presumably Miss Rosemary Page Wood) Dear Mr Glover We return herewith the drawings you sent us in connection with Jenny's Ha's, Canongate. I must apologise for the delay. Yours sincerely, Secretary

22 October 1968 Letter to Miss Rosemary Page-Wood

Appendices Sir Basil Spence’s Canongate Housing – Conservation Statement One Canonbury Place Dear Miss Page-Wood, In Mr Glover's absence I would like to thank you for returning the Canongate pub drawings. Yours sincerely, Rosemary Bruton

08 November 1968 Letter to Sir Basil Spence Dear Basil, I have a feeling that you may well be out of the country at this juncture, but I'm enclosing two drawings showing the brewers' own intentions of how the pub should appear. This perhaps may help to give you some idea of the problems we had to face recently and how impossible I've found it to reach any common ground. Peter is still progressing, although rather slowly, and I hope when the specialist, Professor Gillingham, returns at the end of this month, we may gain some information about his future return, at least in part, to the office. I hope to contact you in the near future and arrange to meet you once again, Yours, Hardie

12 November 1968 Letter from Sir Basil's Spence's Secretary Dear Mr Glover, Thank you for your letter of the 8th November enclosing two drawings of Jenny Ha's which I will hold for Sir Basil. Yours sincerely, Secretary

Sir Basil Spence’s Canongate Housing – Conservation Statement Appendices Appendix V: Cost Banding

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Sir Basil Spence’s Canongate Housing – Conservation Statement Appendices