Main Building, Edinburgh Academy, 48 Henderson Row, Edinburgh, Inverleith, Edinburgh

Description

A 13-bay, single-storey independent school, built 1823-36 to the designs of William Burn in an imposing and austere Greek Revival style. The building is symmetrically arranged with a central Greek Doric portico to the long and low front (south) elevation. It has an inverted T-shaped plan and is largely double-pile with a single-pile section to the north (rear). It is built of coursed and tooled ashlar sandstone with bold, simple details including a string course and eaves cornice. Located on the northern edge of Edinburgh's New Town, the building is set back from the street with a large open forecourt to the front (south). It is centrally positioned within the site, surrounded by various ancillary structures (see separate listing, Listed Building Ref. LB30043).

The main (south) elevation has projecting end bays flanked by pilasters and a central portico of six unfluted Greek Doric columns, the four advancing to the centre have a pediment inscribed in Latin and in Greek. There is a timber-panelled two-leaf entrance door with corniced lintel to centre, flanked by round-arched niches and secondary door openings in similar surrounds with diamond fanlights. The vestibule contains an alabaster tablet of 1895 by Robert Lorimer, commemorating James Carmichael.

Side (east and west) elevations have a recess to the centre, which is abutted by three-bay flat-roofed ashlar additions dating from the 1960s (excluded from the listing). Side elevations to the stem of T-plan have a tripartite window to the southern bay. Single-pile section to north end is set back, with two single-bay entrance porches projecting to east and west elevations. Four gabled ventilators to roof of west elevation. A later chimney addition abutting to north elevation is excluded from the listing.

There is an M-profile, piended slate roof partially concealed behind blind parapet with moulded cornice to main elevation and overhanging eaves to remainder. Elliptical lantern over cross of T-plan with multi-pane fixed timber lights and a leaded roof. Regularly spaced ashlar chimneystacks with moulded copings and no pots. Windows are generally 24-pane timber sliding sashes, largely in plain surrounds.

The internal layout and decorative scheme have been subject to incremental alterations. The layout broadly comprises a large oval-plan hall to the centre of the cross-plan with classrooms and offices to the east and west, and a two-storey section to the north of the cross-bar containing additional rooms at first floor level. The layout of the northern stem of the plan has been substantially altered in the early 21^st century to create the Magnusson Centre for Performing Arts, with studios on two levels and the north end amalgamated to create a large theatre space. The two-storey interior of the Centre for Performing Arts is excluded from the listing.

The main oval-plan hall has a shallow coffered dome ceiling, with early 20^th century rosettes, and a clerestory lantern to the centre featuring stained glass signs of the zodiac by A. Ballantine and Son. The walls have round-arched niches and timber panelled doors with heavily moulded lugged architraves. The outer perimeter is raised with an iron balustrade and there is a stage area and mahogany encased organ to the north end. The cantilevered balcony lining the perimeter is carried on Greek Doric columns to the north and south ends, which were added in 1912 by A.F. Balfour Paul, along with the decorative timber and glass entrance vestibule to the main (south) entrance.

The room to the north end of the plan (now amalgamated into a single theatre space) has a coffered ceiling with two large blind oculi. The remaining internal scheme is plain with simple splayed window surrounds, generally high ceilings with simple cornicing and some inbuilt timber cupboards.

The ancillary buildings, including the boundary walls and gatepiers are part of LB30043 (see case ref: 300039015 for more information).

Legal exclusions:

In accordance with Section 1 (4A) of the Planning (Listed Buildings and Conservation Areas) (Scotland) Act 1997 the following are excluded from the listing: the interior of the Centre for Performing Arts, chimney addition to north elevation of main building, single-storey flat-roofed additions to east and west elevations of main building, timber (D.T.) hut to north of main building, former toilet block to north of site, gates and railings, classroom block (north) to northwest of main building, James Maxwell Science Centre, stair tower and stair to old preparatory school, and music block extension to west of old preparatory school (excepting Edinburgh Academy Ancillary Buildings LB30043 which are listed at category B). These structures are excluded from the listing as they are later additions and are not of special interest in terms of the criteria for listing.

Historical background:

The increase in population brought about by urbanisation and the expansion of the New Town, meant that Edinburgh's schools had become overcrowded by the 1820s. New Town residents sought to help rectify this by privately funding the construction of a new 'proprietary' school, which would give students the full classical education that they found to be lacking in the other city schools.

The Academy was built in 1823-36, funded by a committee of subscribers that had been set up in 1822 by Lord Henry Cockburn and Leonard Horner. Unlike the burgh schools and other schools of the period, private schools remained independent from the control of either the church or the Town Council. The design initially comprised a two-storey building but this proved too expensive and was reduced to a single-storey scheme, which was completed at a modest cost of £13,000. Although the school was opened in October 1824, it was not fully completed until 1836.

Statement of Interest

The Edinburgh Academy meets the criteria of special architectural or historic interest for the following reasons:

The main Edinburgh Academy building is an outstanding example of Greek Revival architecture in Scotland.

It was designed by a leading Scottish architect of the 19th century, William Burn, and this building is one of his most significant works.

The main Academy was built as the architectural centrepiece, originally flanked by buildings which were symmetrically arranged around the forecourt. Later additions to the site are functionally related and respect the building's role as centrepiece.

It is an early and highly significant example of a purpose-built school building and school campus in Scotland.

Edinburgh Academy tells us about the provision of education in Scotland's capital during the early 19^th century.

Architectural interest:

Design

Restrained by a limited budget, the main school building is designed in a simple Greek Doric style, with minimal architectural detailing or embellishment. Despite the relative plainness, the overall design displays outstanding architectural quality. Strictly symmetrical and long and low in form, the bold austerity of the principal elevation is dominated by the heavyweight central portico, which gives the building an imposing sense of authority and grandeur and which was typical of Scottish neo-classicism.

The Edinburgh Academy is of special interest for the importance of its designer, William Burn. This school is a key commission of his early career which includes a group of significant neo-classical public buildings. Educated at the Royal High School in Edinburgh, Burn trained under Sir Robert Smirke in London and oversaw the construction of the pioneering Covent Garden Theatre (1808-09). Burn returned to Scotland in 1811 and his early work was heavily influenced by the simple Greek compositions of Robert Smirke. Edinburgh Academy and John Watson's Hospital (1825) (now the National Museum of Modern Art) are the most notable examples of Burn's early work in this style. By the 1820s Burn began to establish his principal reputation as a designer of rational-plan country houses. He later went into partnership with David Bryce and notably pioneered the introduction of the palazzo style for city buildings, such as the New Club in Edinburgh.

Through eclectic use of the classical language, Burn successfully adapted Greek temple architecture to create a contemporary school building that reflects the academic aspirations of both the school and the Scottish nation in the early to mid 19^th century. This was a popular theme born during this period, whereby the values that were historically associated with an architectural style were used in the design of a new building, to define or promote the values of a particular institution. For instance, the portico of Edinburgh Academy has inscriptions in Latin and Greek, representing its founding ethos of providing a full classical education.

With expansion of the New Town and an increasingly urban society, Edinburgh developed as a neo-classical city during the late 18^th and early 19^th century. Influenced by its dramatic natural setting, the city styled itself as a virtuous Modern Athens, primarily through the eclectic use of the Greek Revival style. This was in direct contrast to the neo-classicism of London, which was largely defined by the architecture and commerciality of Imperial Rome.

Examples of the Greek Revival style were evident in Edinburgh from the later 18^th century, such as at Robert Adam's Old College (1789). However, it was a number of innovative works by principal architects during the first quarter of the 19^th century that cemented the city's image as 'The Athens of the North'. Along with such examples as the National Monument, the Royal Institution (both begun in 1822) and the Royal High School (1825-29), Edinburgh Academy was one of these key buildings.

The Edinburgh Academy main building remains an important representative of this pioneering phase of the Greek Revival style, which came to define the city's character in the early to mid 19^th century. It also illustrates the earlier origins of the style, which was later developed by other architects and enjoyed a long legacy of use in the urban architecture of Scotland.

The single-storey classical-style building became the typical model for new school buildings by the mid 19^th century. Unlike in England, where the Gothic style prevailed in school design, in Scotland the classical style was preferred as it reflected the secular nature of burgh and private schools, which were separate from the control of the church. Dating from 1823-36, Edinburgh Academy is an important early example of the Grecian classical style being applied to school architecture on a grand scale in Scotland. Other key examples of early schools in the Grecian classical style include George Angus' Dundee Academy (1832-34), William Burns' John Watson's School (1825), William Playfair's Dollar Academy (1818) and Thomas Hamilton's Royal High School (1825-29).

The internal plan form of the Edinburgh Academy reflects the changes in teaching methods and school design that emerged from the 1790s onwards, the most notable of which was the provision of separate classrooms. Located at the centre of the T-plan, the elliptical general assembly hall dominates the plan, with a tiered floor and cantilevered balcony. Originally the interior of the hall was relatively plain in its decorative treatment, however it was embellished with additional elements in the early 20^th century.

With the exception of the ceiling in the northern stem of the plan, the remaining internal decorative scheme is typically plain. There have been incremental alterations to the fabric, while significant changes have been carried out to the layout of some former classroom spaces, particularly to the northern section of the plan.

The later alterations to the interior layout and fabric have not significantly changed the character of the original interior. The simplicity of its decoration and plan form is largely retained and is typical for a school of this date, while the elliptical form and decorative detailing of the assembly hall is of particular note for its design quality.

The main building and wider site at Edinburgh Academy have been subject to some incremental alterations and additions, which are to be expected for a building of this age which has been in continual use as a school. Overall, the main Academy building has remained relatively unaltered since it was constructed in the early 19^th century. The external form, interior features and overall character are all well retained, and the structure has a high level of authenticity, which adds to its significance in listing terms.

Setting

Massing, symmetry and setting were important factors of the neo-classical style, the Greek Revival in particular. When built, the Academy was located at the northern edge of Edinburgh's New Town. Unlike some contemporary examples, such as the Royal High School, it did not benefit from a dramatic natural setting, nor could it be seen in prominent views or vistas. However, through the formalised planning of the wider Academy site, Burn enhanced the visual prominence and design quality of the main building.

Centrally positioned and set back from the street across an open forecourt, the main Academy building is the principal feature of the site. Designed as a set piece on Henderson Row, views to the main building are framed by an ensemble of corner lodges, boundary walls and gatepiers defining the perimeter of the large parade ground. Originally this arrangement was symmetrical, with the lodges forming a matching pair and the main building being flanked by L-plan covered walkways on cast iron columns. However, the southeast lodge was replaced in a different style during the early 20^th century. There have also been changes to the gatepiers and the L-plan walkways have been lost through the incremental development of various ancillary buildings along the east and west perimeter of the forecourt.

While the integrity and symmetry of the original scheme has been partially impacted by these changes, the principles of Burn's formalised plan have largely been retained. The main Academy remains the architectural centrepiece. The majority of the various ancillary buildings that have been incrementally added to the north, east and west, are executed in simple classical styles and are largely subservient to the main building in terms of scale and architectural quality. Notably, the open forecourt remains intact as an open space and is essential to the setting of the main Academy building. The overall character of the composition remains clear, particularly when viewed from Henderson Row.

The site is located within the New Town Conservation Area and the formal planning, materials and neo-classical style of the Academy are consistent with the special character of the conservation area. The height of the surrounding buildings, coupled with the long and low scale of the Academy buildings means that they are not prominent out with their immediate townscape setting. However, together with the Grecian-style tenements to the immediate west at Nos. 32-42A Henderson Row and 1-1A Perth Street (Listed Building Ref. LB29022), which were also designed by William Burn (1825-26), the buildings were among the earliest to be built on Henderson Row. They define much of its historic streetscape character, and the ensemble of the Academy forms the key architectural set piece.

Historic interest:

Age and rarity

School buildings that were erected before the educational reforms of the later 19^th century are not common in Scotland. Those that retain much of their historic character and display definite architectural quality, are of special interest in terms of the selection criteria. Edinburgh Academy is an outstanding example of an early 19^th century school building and displays high quality design and planning that reflects the emerging architectural ethos of the period. Together with the associated ancillary buildings (Listed Building Ref. LB30043), the main Academy building is an early example of a formally planned school and campus in Scotland. There have been later, multi-phased additions and changes but the quality and the extent of its survival and setting is rare in other schools dating from the early to mid 19^th century.

Social historical interest

Edinburgh Academy tells us about the provision of education in Scotland's capital during the early 19^th century, when the New Town was further expanding, and Edinburgh was cementing its architectural reputation as the 'Athens of the North'. Established as an independent school by a committee of wealthy subscribers, it represents the emergence of the New Town elite. It reflects their desire for greater control over the education of their children, with a focus towards the lauded classical education that they felt was not being provided by the state's Royal High School.

The changes to the main building and the incremental development of the various ancillary buildings illustrates how the site has been developed to meet the evolving needs of the school. This reflects the changes in educational methods and practice that have occurred since the Academy was first established in the early 19^th century.

Statutory address and listed building record revised in 2020. Previously listed as 'Edinburgh Academy 48 Henderson Row'.

External Links

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