Classroom Block (south), Edinburgh Academy, 48 Henderson Row, Edinburgh, Inverleith, Edinburgh

Description

A group of ancillary buildings dating from the early 19^th to mid 20^th century that form part of the site of Edinburgh Academy (Listed Building Ref. LB27973), which was built 1823-36 as an independent school, to the designs of William Burn (see separate listing). Located on the northern edge of Edinburgh's New Town, the main Academy building is set back from the street with a large open forecourt to the front (south). It forms the centrepiece around which these various ancillary structures are positioned.

West Lodge

The low two-storey, three-bay West Lodge (former Janitor's Lodge, now reception) is L-shaped on plan and located to the southwest corner of the site. It was built as part of Burn's original scheme in 1823-36, and formed a matching pair with that to the east (now replaced; see East Lodge). The main (east) elevation fronts the forecourt with a slated porch to the re-entrant angle, carried on an iron column. The walls are coursed and squared rubble with tooled rybats, margin drafts and dressed cills. The shallow, half-piended slate roof has deep overhanging timber eaves and two rendered chimneystacks. The windows are multi-paned timber sashes with small timber casements to the upper floor. The two-bay south elevation fronts Henderson Row abutted by the boundary wall to the east. The rear (west) elevation forms part of the western boundary wall of the site and the north elevation is abutted by the Classroom Block (south).

The interior layout has been partially altered and comprises two principal rooms on each floor, accessed from a narrow central stair with ancillary rooms to rear of ground floor. The internal decorative scheme is largely plain and dates from the 20^th century, except for the early timber stair which has cast iron balusters with a feather motif and a steeply raked timber handrail.

East Lodge

The two-storey, three-bay East Lodge (formerly the Master's Lodge) was built in a simple Italianate/Renaissance Revival style in 1924 by R.S. Reid of Leadbetter, Fairley and Reid. It replaced the original east lodge, designed by William Burn, which was destroyed by a fire. Different in design and style to the original lodge, it is rectangular on plan with a later lean-to addition to the side (north) elevation. The walls are coursed and dressed rubble with a moulded eaves course and ashlar dressings. The main (west) elevation is symmetrically arranged with a pair of tripartite windows flanking a balconied central porch, carried on fluted consoles and a projecting door surround. A four-bay south elevation fronts Henderson Row with a tripartite upper window set in a pedimented ashlar gable. The piended slate roof has a cupola to the flat southeast corner. The windows are multi-paned timber sliding sashes.

The internal layout and fabric have been partially altered, linking the lodge to the ground floor of the tenement to the east at No. 42 Henderson Row (Listed Building Ref. LB29022). It comprises a central dog-legged stair lit by a cupola, with principal rooms on either side. Decorative features include moulded architraves and fluted cornices with some rosettes to the cupola. There are inbuilt timber cupboards and a carved timber and dressed stone fire surround to the principal first floor room.

Library

The single-storey, rectangular-plan Library abuts to the boundary walls on the eastern side of forecourt and is built of rock-faced ashlar with smooth ashlar dressings. Neo-classical in style, the advancing square-plan central-bay dates from 1899 and was designed by Leadbetter and Fairlie. It has a square-plan cupola to the piended slate roof and a projecting pedimented entrance to the front (west) elevation. The lugged entrance door is flanked by commemorative plaques, including a clock (inscribed 1916) to the tympanum above and a bell to the north. The lower three-bay symmetrical wings were added in 1930 by R.S. Reid, with key-blocked tripartite windows to the advancing end bays. Multi-paned timber sash and case windows.

The interior comprises three large rooms running north to south. Central room lit by a cupola, with decorative modillioned cornices. The walls throughout are lined with inbuilt timber shelving and cupboards. There are moulded timber architraves to the openings and a lugged architrave with a timber fanlight to the main entrance door from the porch. A round-headed arcade subdivides the room to south which is carried on timber-clad pilasters and is lit to rear by a circular cupola. The room to the north has an early 21^st century glass screen and doors.

War Memorial Building

Built in 1922-23, the Greek Revival War Memorial Building by R.S. Reid is located to the northwest of the main Academy building. The single-storey over basement, five-bay main (south) elevation has a central entrance approached by a flight of stone steps, framed by a projecting portico of paired, unfluted Greek Doric columns and entablature topped by a blocking course, inscribed 'PRO PATRIA'. The entrance is flanked by recessed war memorial panels framed by matching columns and stiff-leafed garlands. The walls are ashlar sandstone with horizontal channelling to the lower level of the main elevation and painted roughcast render to the remainder. There is a piended slate roof with glazed skylights, double-leaf timber panelled doors with cross-motif glazing. There are large square-headed metal windows to the ground floor of north elevation, with semi-circular windows to the first floor. Iron railings front the main elevation with a cross motif and a Greek-key to the square piers.

The interior layout remains largely unchanged and comprises an open-plan gymnasium on the upper level, with two large north-facing workshops and ancillary rooms below. There is an arched steel truss roof to the gymnasium with some Doric details, timber-lined walls, gymnastic apparatus and high-level semi-circular windows. The workshop spaces below are accessed via stone steps from main corridor to the south, and have hard, plain finishes with structural metal beams and columns exposed, and a solid floor.

Fives Courts

Dating from around 1898 the single-storey Fives Courts are located against the northern boundary of the site and sit at a lower level to the main buildings. The walls are red brick, with timber panelling and louvered ventilators to the apex of the gables. The pitched timber roof structure, with felt covering, has a large overhang to the south creating a covered walkway accessing each of the courts. The main (south) elevation has modern timber decking and wire mesh screens, while the remaining elevations are red brick.

The interior has plain painted walls to courts with exposed timber roof structure above.

Dining Hall

Dated 1912, the Dining Hall was built to the designs of A.F. Balfour Paul and is located to the northwest of the main Academy building. It has two-storeys over a basement with five-bays on the ground floor of the main (south) elevation. Roughly rectangular on plan, the east elevation is abutted by lower flat-roofed ranges, including a 5-bay bowed window and a screen wall that connects to the main Academy building. The single-storey, flat-roofed abutment to the northwest was added in 1922. The main (south) elevation of the Dining Hall is built of ashlar sandstone (rendered and painted brick to north, east and west elevations) and has Italianate/Renaissance Revival details, including a deep modillioned balcony and balustrade, and elaborate carved foliage around the main entrance. The piended slate roof has pedimented dormers breaking the eaves, which are topped with scrolls to the outer windows.

The interior was modified in the early 1970s but the layout is largely retained. It contains a large open-plan dining hall on the ground floor, with a raised stage to the east and timber panelled walls. The kitchens are to the north and there is a shooting range located in the basement. The classrooms to the upper floor have timber panelled dados and are accessed by a stair in the southwest corner.

Old Preparatory School

Built in 1823-36, the Old Preparatory School (now Music School) is located to the northwest corner of the site and was part of Burn's original scheme. The simple L-plan building is single-storey over basement with a small slated porch to the re-entrant angle. Built of tooled ashlar sandstone with a piended slate roof, the building has regularly spaced window openings and 12-pane sliding timber sashes. The windows to the south elevation were partially infilled and replaced with timber casements in the 1960s. The west elevation forms part of the western boundary of the site and is abutted by a late 20^th century stair tower and addition to the west (Music Block), which are excluded from the listing. It is abutted to south by the Classroom Block (north), which is also excluded from the listing.

Originally comprising two large classrooms on the ground floor, that to the north was partitioned into two in the 1930s. That to the south was partitioned in the late 20^th century, to create a corridor and stairwell (excluded from the listing), interlinking the building with the Music Block, which abuts to the west elevation (excluded from the listing). Some early detailing remains to classrooms including, moulded cornices, timber-lined splayed rybats and timber panelling to some walls. The large circular openings in the ceilings have been filled in.

Classroom Blocks (south and central)

The single-storey Classroom Blocks (south and central) were added to the north of the western lodge, along the western boundary wall, around 1892-93 by MacGibbon and Ross. They were later extended to the north, around 1930. Built of rock-faced ashlar sandstone with ashlar rybats and a pitched slate roof, the single-storey range has a projecting pedimented frontispiece, with an oculus and mullioned and transomed windows. There are diagonally boarded timber porches to the classroom entrances, with piended slate roofs on bracketed eaves. Random rubble walls to the rear (west) elevation with later window openings inserted. The windows are largely multi-paned timber sliding sashes. The Classroom Block (north) abuts to the north (excluded from the listing).

The interior comprises seven individual classrooms running on north-south axis. A number towards the north have been altered in early 21^st century with mezzanines inserted and the timber roof structure has been exposed to the central room. There is some simple early detailing remaining, including areas of timber-lining to the walls and window surrounds. The south bay of pedimented frontispiece was altered in late 20^th century to provide an access route between the Edinburgh Academy site and the former Donaldson's site to the west (see separate listings, Listed Building Refs. LB27972 and LB30042).

Boundary Walls

The random rubblestone Boundary Walls were built around 1823, as part of Burn's original scheme, and enclose the site to the north, south, east and west. They have been incorporated as part of many of the Edinburgh Academy's ancillary buildings and have had various alterations. This is particularly noticeable to the western and eastern sections where openings have been inserted or removed and the wall-height has been changed in places. Replacement gates and railings were inserted to the south in the early 21^st century and these are excluded from the listing.

Gatepiers

Built around 1823 as part of William Burn's original design, the gateway originally comprised a central opening for vehicles, with flanking pedestrian entrances. This was designed to frame the main elevation of the Academy Building. Although the two ashlar sandstone Gatepiers remain, the gateway has since been altered to create two vehicular openings, with a new central gatepier built in ashlar stone. The gates and railings are recent replacements and are not of special interest in terms of the listing criteria and are excluded.

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 (main building) LB27973 which is listed at category A). They are excluded from the listing as they 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 (listed separately: LB27973) 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.

Originally the Academy building was abutted on either side by L-plan covered walkways. These connected to the lodges in the south corners, enclosing the forecourt to the south as a military parade ground. As the school expanded, a series of additional buildings were added to the site from the late 19^th century onwards. A number of these buildings, such as the Dining Hall and the War Memorial Building, were located to the rear of the principal elevation of the main building. The remainder were built against the east and west boundary walls, lining either side of the open forecourt and replacing Burn's original L-plan covered walkways.

Statement of Interest

The ancillary buildings and structures surrounding the Edinburgh Academy meet the criteria of special architectural or historic interest for the following reasons:

The design of the original ancillary buildings (West Lodge, Old Preparatory School, (altered) Boundary Walls and Gatepiers) was carefully conceived by a leading Scottish architect of the 19^th century, William Burn, to form a cohesive architectural set piece that complemented his outstanding Edinburgh Academy.

The main Edinburgh Academy is the architectural centrepiece in an arrangement of multi-phase ancillary buildings, whose simple classical design and use of similar building materials largely respect Burn's original architectural design and composition of the site.

The original ancillary buildings (West Lodge, Old Preparatory School and (altered) Boundary Walls), are part of an early and highly significant example of a purpose-built school building in Scotland. The later additions form part of the campus and are important to our understanding of how the site has developed since the early 19^th century.

The Fives Courts (added around 1898) are of particular historic interest as the building type is very rare within Scotland.

These multi-phase ancillary buildings are functionally related to the main Edinburgh Academy and tell us about the provision and development of education in Scotland's capital from the early 19^th century.

Architectural interest:

Design

In design terms, the various ancillary buildings were purposely designed to respect the main Academy building through their scale, composition, and positioning within the site. Although most of the buildings were built at various later dates, by a number of different architects, they respect the character of the main building. This is achieved through the use of similar materials, such as slate roofs and sandstone walls, and in the use of neo-classical styles or decorative details. As a result of these design considerations, the main Edinburgh Academy building still dominates the site but it is complimented by the various ancillary structures that surround it.

The main Edinburgh Academy building and the contemporary ancillaries (West Lodge, Old Preparatory School, (altered) Boundary Walls and Gatepiers) are of special interest for the importance of their designer, William Burn. This school is a key commission of his early career which includes a group of significant neo-classical public buildings (see separate listing for more information about the main Academy building, Listed Building Ref. LB27973). The architects who developed the site after Burn notably included alumni from the school. Both R. S. Reid (1883-1947) and A. F. Balfour Paul (1875-1938) were former pupils and would have been extremely familiar with Burn's building.

The West Lodge, Boundary Walls, Gatepiers and Old Preparatory School were all constructed to the designs of William Burn, in conjunction with the main Academy building. Alterations to the fabric and changes in layout have impacted the level of intactness of these features. However, together with the main Academy they continue to represent the original design scheme for the site.

The interior of the West lodge retains some simple decorative features and detailing typical of its date and type.

There has been subdivision to the original classrooms but the simple character of the early interior remains evident in the Old Preparatory School and is typical of its building type and date. The 20^th century stair and stair tower additions are not of special interest and are excluded from the listing.

The Fives Courts are located to the far north of the site to the rear of the main Academy building. Fives courts are a rare building type in Scotland (see Age and Rarity for more information). The pavilion style of the building is typical of sports buildings from the turn of the 19^th century, while the functional interior scheme retains the markings to each of the courts.

The Library, Dining Hall and War Memorial Building are of particular note for their architectural re-interpretation of Burn's early 19^th century neo-classical style. The Dining Hall displays some rich neo-classical embellishments to the principal elevation, while the remaining elevations are very plain. This is characteristic of institutional buildings as emphasis was normally placed upon the principal elevation, both for economy and design. The interior has been partially altered in terms of its fabric, but the layout is relatively well retained. The internal decorative scheme is largely plain with timber panelling to the dining room walls. The incorporation of an original rifle range within the basement is unusual and is of special interest.

Detached from the other buildings, the Library is prominently positioned along the eastern side of the forecourt. The symmetry, massing and restrained character of its neo-classical style compliments that of the main Academy. The interior retains some neo-classical detailing, decorative roof lights and early timber shelving, characteristic of its late 19^th century date. The memorial clock, plaques and bell are notable external features.

The East Lodge dates from 1924 and replaced the original east lodge, which was designed by Burn and was destroyed following a fire. The simple Italianate/Renaissance Revival style is typical of its date and type. Unlike the original east lodge, the design does not mirror that of the West Lodge. However, the materials, form and style are broadly in keeping with that of the main Academy building and the West Lodge. The interior fabric and layout have been partially altered but the historic character is reasonably well retained.

The main (south) elevation of the War Memorial Building is executed in a restrained Grecian style, which gives the building a sense of dignity and grandeur that respects that of the main Academy. In contrast, the remaining elevations are industrial in character, reflecting the use of the ground floor as design and technology workshops. The large-scale windows and solid ground floor are typical characteristics of industrial buildings of this period. Internally, the gymnasium to the upper level retains much of its early character with the exposed steel truss roof, timber wall linings and wall-mounted apparatus.

The Classroom Blocks (south and central) are modest in terms of their architectural treatment but their simple neo-classical style complements that of the main Academy building and of the library on the opposite side of the forecourt. The internal decorative scheme is largely plain and is typical of school buildings of the late 19^th century. The layout of the central rooms has been partially altered by the insertion of some modern mezzanine levels but the simple detailing that remains, reflects the institutional nature of the building. The classroom blocks are sited along the boundary wall that lines the western edge of the forecourt. Although extending further north and having a slightly wider footprint, they occupy the rough position where Burn's original L-plan walkway would have been. Set back from the line of the western lodge, their design and siting respect the open nature of the forecourt and does not disrupt key views of the main building.

Setting

Massing, symmetry and setting were important factors of the neo-classical style, the Greek Revival in particular. However, unlike some contemporary examples, such as the Royal High School, the Academy site did not benefit from a dramatic natural setting, nor could it be seen in prominent views or vistas. Nevertheless, Burn successfully elevated the visual impact of the school buildings grouping to create a grand set piece on Henderson Row. He achieved this through the formalised planning of the site itself, in which the design and arrangement of the ancillary buildings and structures were key.

Centrally positioned and set back from the street across an open forecourt, the main Academy building is the principal feature of the site. It was designed as a set piece on Henderson Row, where views to the main building were originally framed by a symmetrical ensemble of corner lodges, boundary walls and gatepiers.

Over the centuries, there have been various changes to the buildings and structures across the site (see Description). Originally the lodges formed a matching pair, but this symmetry was affected by the replacement of the east lodge in the 1920s, which differed from the original in height and style. The L-plan walkways that formerly flanked the main Academy building have been lost through the incremental development of various ancillary buildings along the east and west perimeter of the forecourt. Other changes include the rearrangement of the gatepiers and alterations to the boundary walls.

While some components of Burn's original composition for the site have gone or have been replaced by the later developments, the overall character and symmetry of the original scheme has largely been retained, particularly when viewed from Henderson Row. The Academy remains the architectural centrepiece, and the ancillary buildings respect and complement the setting of the main Academy building. The original walkways around the forecourt have been removed and replaced with later buildings but the open forecourt (former parade ground) remains. It is essential to the setting of the main Academy building as defining the perimeter and the frontage of the of the orginal school site.

The site is located within the New Town Conservation Area and the formal planning, materials and neo-classical style of the school are largely consistent with the date and style of the buildings nearby. 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 and define much of its historic streetscape character.

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. The main Edinburgh Academy building (Listed Building Ref. LB27973) is an outstanding example of an early 19^th century school building and the later ancillaries form part of an important campus grouping which create an imposing architectural set piece.

The original ancillary structures and buildings (the (altered) boundary walls and gatepiers, the Old Preparatory School and the West Lodge) are of special interest for their early date as part of Burn's original planned ensemble. Together with the main school building, they represent an early example of a formally planned school site, the quality and extent of which is rare in other surviving schools of the period.

Although they are later in date, the remaining late-19^th and 20^th century ancillary buildings are good surviving examples of their date and type and are largely in keeping with the style and building materials of Burn's original design. They respect the layout of his original scheme and maintain the main Academy as the architectural focal point. Forming part of the school site, these multi-phase ancillaries are important to our understanding of how the school functioned and developed over the course of the 19^th and 20^th centuries.

The Fives Courts are of particular historic interest as the building type is very rare within Scotland. Including those at Edinburgh Academy, there are a total of four that remain in use in Scotland and these are all located within the grounds of private schools in Edinburgh and the Lothians. There are three other examples known to be listed, however others may be listed as part of the listings for other buildings. As a relatively unaltered example of an unusual building type in Scotland, the Fives Courts are considered to be of special historic interest.

Social historical interest

The incremental development of the Academy site and the range of 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 West Lodge, Railings and Gates, Henderson Row'.

External Links

Historic Environment Scotland Listing

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