New batch of Royal High School images published
December 15 2015
One of two competing schemes for the landmark it will see the historic property converted into a performance and rehearsal space for St Mary’s Music School by Richard Murphy Architects.
Accommodating 120 pupils the new school will include a 300 seat concert hall within the former debating chamber and a publicly-accessible garden to the west and north of the site.
William Gray Muir, chairman of The Royal High School Preservation Trust, said: “The Trust’s plans have remained tightly focused on both preserving this exceptional building while bringing forward progressive, innovative designs to give it a modern and sustainable use, both for pupils studying at St Mary’s and for members of the public wanting to enjoy its new concert space and public gardens.”
Dr Kenneth Taylor, headteacher of St Mary’s Music School, added: “A new public entrance, grand terraces and the addition of new and near invisible school buildings to the east and north protect both the integrity and setting of the Hamilton masterpiece.
“It all combines to provide enhanced facilities for future expansion of the school including large, well-lit classrooms and practice areas and a large outdoor play/garden area. A new landscape garden to the west will offer public access when the school is closed. Residential accommodation for boarders comprises en-suite study bedrooms and a large communal recreational area.”
'Near invisible' buildings will be built to the east and north
A hotel-led project overseen by Hoskins Architects has been recommended for refusal
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13 Comments
#1 Posted by Stevie Steve on 15 Dec 2015 at 13:09 PM
So much better than hoskins...
#2 Posted by BFG on 15 Dec 2015 at 23:57 PM
I don't get it. Access is convoluted, architecture owes nothing to context other than 3 odd octagons plopped around to reference roof forms. Best thing you can say is at least you won't see it from the road, but don't like the view from the hill - feels like a slick engulfing one side of the school.
Also don't get the argument that an elitist school and pay for performances of elitist music is somehow more accessible to the public than an elite hotel and an overpriced high tea.
Also don't get the argument that an elitist school and pay for performances of elitist music is somehow more accessible to the public than an elite hotel and an overpriced high tea.
#3 Posted by Lindsay Buchan on 16 Dec 2015 at 13:27 PM
I don't think the Hoskins proposals include slapping a socking great big hole in the front of the building with a massive steel beam over it to create a new entrance do they? I know Murphy specialises in designing buildings where the entrance isn't obvious but what's wrong with the old front door/s? It's a classically designed building and the entrance is announced by being stuck in the centre, Murphy struggles with that concept! I agree with the point that a music school will be less accessible to the public than a hotel. Hoskins design isn't quite there yet but it's a huge improvement on the first proposal and it's not far off being acceptable.
#4 Posted by Sufferin Succotash on 17 Dec 2015 at 08:48 AM
Accusations of a conflict of interest relating to James Simpson's position at Unesco were denied but it still appears Simpson and Brown have withdrawn from the team. Urban Realm, can you confirm?
#5 Posted by Urban Realm on 17 Dec 2015 at 10:44 AM
I can confirm Simpson & Brown are still involved in the project and are continuing to work in close collaboration with RMA.
#6 Posted by Sufferin Succotash on 17 Dec 2015 at 10:57 AM
Urban Realm - thanks. So they've not withdrawn, but their involvement must be being played down as they don't seem to get a mention in any of the recent press releases.
#7 Posted by basho on 17 Dec 2015 at 13:16 PM
Gareth Hoskins - modify the west wing of the hotel plan a bit and you're home and dry. The hotel plan leaves the Royal High exterior largely untouched - Murphy's plan slaps it round the chops with 'statement architecture'. Yet Simpson seems to think this is more sympathetic to the building! Really?
#8 Posted by BFG on 17 Dec 2015 at 18:36 PM
#7, sadly not. Council rejected it under pressure from conservatives (big and small C variety. Cue wrangle over contracts and eventual fortune being spent on this mishmash for use by just a few kids. Incidentally, the current annual school fees of £24-33k per kid are largely met by government subsidy. When the schools got the upkeep of this thing as an overhead how high will fees go then and how much will we all be paying in subsidy then???
#9 Posted by CADMonkey on 18 Dec 2015 at 10:06 AM
BFG, I don't think you have even looked at the rival proposals have you? Statement architecture it is not.
Thankfully despite best efforts from some loud mouth SNP and Labour cultural vandals on the Planning Committee the hotel was refused.
Edinburgh has made plenty of Planning mistakes in the past and it is about time sensible decisions based on design, setting and scale are made rather than "wider economic benefits to the city".
Thankfully despite best efforts from some loud mouth SNP and Labour cultural vandals on the Planning Committee the hotel was refused.
Edinburgh has made plenty of Planning mistakes in the past and it is about time sensible decisions based on design, setting and scale are made rather than "wider economic benefits to the city".
#10 Posted by Beard of Zeus on 18 Dec 2015 at 12:59 PM
CADMonkey. And yet only two months ago you said this about the hotel design.
"I'm impressed with this.
I think the CGI artist has made a few artistic license decisions, but on the whole not bad.
I can barely believe the swathe of new granite and sandstone public realm works will happen. (e.g. look what was promised and didn't happen at Charlotte Square). I think it has been added to the CGI to show the proposal off to its best. Fair and square."
http://www.urbanrealm.com/news/5695/Formal_planning_application_lodged_for_Calton_Hill_hotel_.html
"I'm impressed with this.
I think the CGI artist has made a few artistic license decisions, but on the whole not bad.
I can barely believe the swathe of new granite and sandstone public realm works will happen. (e.g. look what was promised and didn't happen at Charlotte Square). I think it has been added to the CGI to show the proposal off to its best. Fair and square."
http://www.urbanrealm.com/news/5695/Formal_planning_application_lodged_for_Calton_Hill_hotel_.html
#11 Posted by BFG on 18 Dec 2015 at 13:07 PM
#9. Been on the website, seen the plans, elevs and fly throughs... Didn't say 'statement', said nothing to do with context in its architectural expression. Fly though of arrival sequence is painful despite the big slapping.
#12 Posted by Sufferin Succotash on 18 Dec 2015 at 14:47 PM
#9. But was it not also refused by four Labour and two SNP councillors?
#13 Posted by CadMonkey on 18 Dec 2015 at 21:05 PM
Beardy.
My first impression was that this was a lot better than the first go. I went to the exhibition and was quite impressed, taken in.
However on reflection it became pretty clear that this would seriously compromise an important Iconic building. (And I don't use that word lightly). to an unacceptable degree.
With a much more appropriate use and architecturally sensitive solution waiting in the wings my view has changed.
Imagine we went through life not being allowed to change our minds!
My first impression was that this was a lot better than the first go. I went to the exhibition and was quite impressed, taken in.
However on reflection it became pretty clear that this would seriously compromise an important Iconic building. (And I don't use that word lightly). to an unacceptable degree.
With a much more appropriate use and architecturally sensitive solution waiting in the wings my view has changed.
Imagine we went through life not being allowed to change our minds!
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