Basic Site Details

Name: University of Edinburgh, Old College
City or county: Edinburgh
Country: Scotland
Parish:  
Status:  
Grid ref:
Notes:  

Building Type Classification

The building is classified under the following categories:
 ClassificationOriginal classification?Notes
Item 1 of 1EDUCATION  

Events

The following date-based events are associated with this building:
 FromToEvent typeNotes
Item 1 of 1017891793Build/constructionInitial designs
Item 2 of 101812 Contracts advertisedFor additions and alterations to Chemical Theatre
Item 3 of 101815 Plans drawn upCopy of Robert Adam's west elevation given to Lord Provost
Item 4 of 1018171826Alteration/conversionDesigns modified and completed.
Item 5 of 1018861889 Building of dome
Item 6 of 10c. 1922  War memorial
Item 7 of 10October 1951 Scheme acceptedWarrant granted the University Court of Edinburgh University to enlarge the library and install a lift at estimated cost of £13,500
Item 8 of 101965 Alterations and additionsMajor changes from this date
Item 9 of 10September 1967(?) Alterations and additionsDean of Guild Court granted warrant to Edinburgh University Court to make alterations at cost of £9,500.
Item 10 of 101970s Restoration 

People

Design and Construction

The following individuals or organisations have carried out design/construction work. Where architects or practices worked together, matching letters appear beside their names in the Partnership Group column.
 NameRolePartnership GroupFromToNotes
Item 1 of 17John PatersonArchitectK 1791 
Item 2 of 17Robert AdamArchitectB17891793Initial designs
Item 3 of 17Robert MorisonArchitect, DraughtsmanJ1789 Submitted a design.
Item 4 of 17Hugh CairncrossArchitectJ17911795 
Item 5 of 17Thomas BonnarArchitectP1812 Considerable alterations to Chemical Theatre
Item 6 of 17George CairncrossArchitect, BuilderL1815 Provided the Lord Provost with a copy of Robert Adam's elevation for the west side of the University Building.
Item 7 of 17Robert MorisonArchitect, DraughtsmanM1815 Was one of the selected architects who competed for the completion of Adam's building.
Item 8 of 17William Henry PlayfairArchitectE18171826Modified the designs and completed the Adam work.
Item 9 of 17(Sir) Robert Rowand AndersonArchitectA18861889Dome
Item 10 of 17Hew Maitland Wardrop (later Hew Montgomerie Wardrop)ArchitectA18861887Dome - Anderson responsible for design
Item 11 of 17Wardrop & AndersonArchitectural practiceA18861889Dome - Anderson responsible for design
Item 12 of 17J Hamilton  1951 For enlargements and installation of a lift
Item 13 of 17Ian G Lindsay & PartnersArchitectural practiceC1965 Interior alterations
Item 14 of 17John Herdman ReidArchitectC1965 Interior alterations. Acted as Consultant. Nomination Paper records that Reid was responsible for this.
Item 15 of 17Crichton Walker Lang D1970s Conservation
Item 16 of 17Ian G Lindsay & PartnersArchitectural practiceD1970s Conservation
Item 17 of 17John Herdman ReidArchitectD1970s Conservation

Related Buildings, Structures and Designs

Child Structures

This structure or site has the following component or child structures (click on an item to view details):
 Building NameNotes
Item 1 of 1University of Edinburgh, Chambers Street basement 

References

Bibliographic References

The following books contain references to this building:
 Author(s)DateTitlePartPublisherNotes
Item 1 of 5Adam, Robert & James1820Works in Architecture of Robert and James Adam3  
Item 2 of 5Colvin, Howard2008A Biographical Dictionary of British Architects 1600-1840 London: YUP. 4th edition 
Item 3 of 5Fraser, A G1989The Building of Old College EdinburghFor Morison's role see pp133-5, 145, 152
Item 4 of 5Gifford, John, McWilliam, Colin and Walker, David M1984Edinburgh (The Buildings of Scotland) Harmondsworth: Penguin Books Ltdp190
Item 5 of 5RIBA1981Directory of Practices 1981   

Periodical References

The following periodicals contain references to this building:
 Periodical NameDateEditionPublisherNotes
Item 1 of 7British Architect3 June 1887   
Item 2 of 7Builder14 August 1886LI  
Item 3 of 7Builder30 April 1887LII  
Item 4 of 7Builder18 August 1888LV  
Item 5 of 7Builder26 October 1951  p570
Item 6 of 7Building1 September 1967  p122
Item 7 of 7Edinburgh Evening Courant18 June 1812   

Archive References

The following archives hold material relating to this building:
 SourceArchive nameSource catalogue no.Notes
Item 1 of 4Edinburgh University LibraryPlans10 and 15 
Item 2 of 4Historic Environment ScotlandListed Buildings Register27989 
Item 3 of 4National Monuments Record of Scotland/NMRS, RCAHMSDrawings CollectionEDD/220/1 
Item 4 of 4RIBA Archive, Victoria & Albert MuseumRIBA Nomination Papers John Herdman Reid: F no6267 (Combined Box 129)

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