A ew St Mary s Music School at the Former Royal High School Landscape Design and Access Statement 150863_OPE_RHS_LDAS-01 December 2015
contents 1 introduction p. 4 site context p. 6 site photography and analysis p. 8 2 concept + approach p. 10 3 proposed plan p. 12 4 site sections p. 14 5 character areas p. 18 west approach garden p. 20 school access p. 24 south terraces p. 28 east park/ playground p. 30 regent road p. 32 6 hard landscape p. 36 7 soft landscape p. 37
figures Site Location p. 5 Concept p. 10 Initial sketches p. 11 The Proposed Plan p. 13 Section A-A p. 14 Plan A-A p. 14 Section B-B p. 15 Plan B-B p. 15 Regent Road: Front Elevation p. 16 Indicative Render from Calton Hill p. 16 Regent Road west: Indicative Render p. 16 Regent Road east: Indicative Render p. 17 West Approach Garden: Indicative Render p. 20 West Approach Garden: Detail Section p. 22 West Approach Garden: Detail Plan p. 22 West Approach Garden: Plan p. 23 West Approach Garden: Indicative Render p. 23 School Access: Indicative Render p. 24 School Access: Detail Section p. 26 School Access: Detail Plan p. 26 School Access: Plan p. 26 South Terraces: Front elevation p. 28 South Terraces: Plan p. 28 South Terraces: Detail Section p. 29 South Terraces: Detail plan p. 29 East Park: Plan p. 30 Regent Road: Indicative Render p. 32 Regent Road: Section p. 34 Regent Road: Sectional elevation p. 34 Regent Road: Plan p. 34 Regent Road: Detail Section p. 35 Regent Road: Detail plan p. 35 Regent Road: Indicative Render p. 35 Hard Landscape Plan p. 36 Soft Landscape Plan p. 37 Tree Removals Plan p. 38
1 introduction The following Landscape Design information supports the planning application for the Category A Listed Thomas Hamilton former Royal High School to accommodate an expanded St Mary s Music School as well as providing the public function of three performance spaces. This Design and Access Statement (DAS) illustrates the design intent and approach for the whole site that includes a number of Category A Listed buildings and features. The key aspects of the landscape approach respect the setting of the existing site and context. Although the site has been seen as a set piece and whole entity, it has also been carefully described in this DAS as a series of character areas that make up the whole experience. p. 4 Google 2015.
a landscape solution to compliment the academic evolution of the former Royal High School 0m 50m 100m 150m 200m Google 2015. Site Location p. 5
site context The site lies to the east of Princes Street and on the south facing slope of Calton Hill. The historical context of the site and in particular the Thomas Hamilton building will be fully explored and explained within other sections of the architects Design and Access Statement (DAS). In terms of landscape and setting, the importance of the natural landscape of Calton Hill is a key consideration of the proposals outlined in this DAS. The fact that the natural environment and prominence of the hill precedes any development of the city and to this day still remains largely intact as a significant natural influence on how the city has developed and is developing, illustrates the importance that Calton Hill and its setting context is to any prospective development. The prominence and setting of the hill has exerted considerable influence on the development of the city through the centuries. However the crag and tail topography has not been left entirely untouched by human hand. In particular the construction of Regent Road in c1817 and then Regent, Carlton and Royal Terrace c1836 on the tail of the hill in some way tamed the east facing slopes and introduced a parkland landscape with Regent Gardens where the mature parkland trees dominate. This has effectively split the crag and tail of the hill in to two distinct parts - the tamed landscape of the parkland within Regent Gardens, and the wilder landscape of the hill top. In many ways the introduction of Regent Terrace occupied the easier side of the hill to be developed, even though considerable effort was required to shape the road profile in to such hard underlying rock. As a result the top of the hill remained relatively untouched by comparison, with a prominent selection of monuments, buildings and public pleasure walks appearing over the late 18thC and early 19thC, with Old Observation House (1776), City Observatory (1818) and the ational Monument (1823-6) forming the core of numerous buildings, monuments and follies. Critically encapsulating all this is the wider picturesque landscape qualities of this setting and although set out in the Playfair masterplan for the hill, almost certainly reflects the indigenous landscape. On the south edge of the hill, occupying the lower slopes adjacent to Regent Road, lies the old Royal High School by Thomas Hamilton (1826-29). Although not part of the hill top prominence, it occupies a key site facing south towards Arthur Seat, Salisbury Crags and Holyrood Palace. It occupies a very prominent location set within the picturesque backdrop of the hill top and its natural landscape sweeping down the hillside. It is in to this landscape setting that the new proposals will interact and take reference. Historically buildings in this landscape have found their spot by careful local ground manipulation allowing the buildings to sit in and with the landscape, maximising views to and from their location. It is within this sensitive landscape context and influence that the proposals for the expanded St Mary s Music School incorporating the old Royal High School sit. The following proposals are directly informed by the existing landscape setting. Historic aerial photograph: 1945 The Crag and Tail topography Calton Hill p. 6 Google 2015.
Historic illustration, Canmore.org.uk ref SC 924509 George Meikle Kemp David Roberts RA c1850 - Perspective from the South East Scholar s Pass o 24, issued for the year 1859-60 to Jacebus Jamieson Copyright: Peter Stubbs Historic illustration looking toward Salisbury Crags from Calton Hill Thomas Hamilton: Design for the Royal High School Undated photo from Scottish Colorfoto RCAHMS SC 11677307 These historic picturesque and somewhat romantic views of Calton Hill illustrate perfectly the desired aspiration for this small but prominent Edinburgh hill top. Buildings, monuments and follies are carefully composed and set against the rugged natural landscape. The buildings on the hill, such as Hamilton s Royal High School, are exquisitely designed and detailed, juxtaposed against the rambling nature of the hill side, typical of the late 18thC and early 19thC outlook. Royal High School - Landscape DAS p. 7
site photography and analysis The elson Monument The former Royal High School Salisbury Crags / Arthur s Seat View north from Queens Drive From Queens Drive the Hamilton building sits along the rooftops of Canongate buildings below in the foreground, clearly backdropped by the wooded sides of Calton Hill. The horizontality of the building is clear as it runs along the contour of the hill. Arthur s Seat Salisbury Crags View over the former Royal High School from Calton Hill The Hamilton building sitting on the lower/middle slope of the hill, with commanding views south. The municipal car park is situated in the foreground, giving a rather ragged and unkempt edge to the site. View from Canongate burial ground The horizontality of the building sits in harmony with the contours of the hill. View north from Radical Road The sweeping nature of Calton Hill, with its crag and tail topography, ties in with the horizontality of the building. p. 8
Upper level southern facing facade Entry from the west Existing vegetation Steps down to Regent Road Regent Road arrow pavements in poor condition Old School entrance Pedestrian route along northern edge Southern elevation facing Regent Road West elevation p. 9
2 concept + approach It is clear the site has an impressive backdrop of wooded slopes, and is framed more locally to the east and west by woodland strips. However the main part of the site has historically been sparse of any significant landscape setting, right up to the current time where the west entrance is dominated by a car park, some relatively recently planted trees and other areas have been utilised for forms of parking and servicing. Previously, as a school, these outside spaces would have presumably been playgrounds for the children, places to interact with each other, form relationships and learn about the natural world in a unique setting. One of the main aims of this proposal is to protect the setting of the main building, but to also use the landscape to become and active participant/element in the setting of the building and the enjoyment of the external environment. As once again a school this can be a critical element in the learning forum for a child and is part of the Scottish education curriculum for excellence where outdoor learning is seen a key for educational development. Also important is being able to provide an accessible and inviting landscape that enhances the setting of the building and context of this part of the city. It is recognised the improvement of the immediate environment of the building, both within the site and immediately outside is long overdue. There are also aspects that relate directly to the proposed use of the building other than education. It is anticipated that the Hamilton building will be principally formed in to three performances spaces for the school and public use. With this in mind the west facing approach to the school will provide the potential for a fourth performance space for the school and the public. Outside of this there are aspirational proposals for further enhancements to the address on Regent Road that will enhance the setting of the Hamilton building, the aspect of Calton Hill and provide a greatly improved public realm to this edge of the city centre, while enhancing the experience and safety of the school and public useage. Concept p. 10 Google 2015.
Aims and Influences: Letting the building and setting influence the landscape design; Layers of landscape/terraces on one side of the hill responding to the natural topography; Merging geometry of the buildings with the distinctive landscape of Calton Hill; Maximising and controlling views to and from the site; Creating a new setting in the city to the east; Introducing discreet layers of privacy for the school; and Creating an aspirational setting on Regent Road for the public. Initial sketches Royal High School - Landscape DAS Google 2015. p. 11
3 proposed plan Legend Application Site 1 Upper Terrace 13 11 12 12 2 Middle Terrace 3 Lower Terrace 4 Vegetable Garden 5 West Temple Terrace 6 Main Garden Walk 9 3 6 3 7 2 1 3 13 1 6 2 2 1 4 4 13 14 15 7 Southern Garden Walk 3 8 South Terraces 5 9 Regent Road - Enhanced Public Realm 10 10 Regent Road Garden Extension 11 School Access Road 12 School Access Parking text description... 13 School Access Walkway 14 School Access Gate 9 8 9 15 School Courtyard 16 East Roof Park / Playground 17 School Internal Courtyard 9 18 Green Roof p. 12
School Access West Approach Garden East Park / Playground South Terraces South Terraces 16 Regent Road 17 Calton Hill Drive 18 16 Character Areas Private School entrance 15 17 Public secured areas Public open 15 17 16 16 8 Regent Terrace Public and private zones Private School access 9 9 Regent Road Public secured access Public access 9 0m 5m 10m 15m 20m Scale: 1-500@A3 25m The Proposed Plan Public and private access Google 2015. p. 13
4 site sections Calton Hill School Access The former Royal High School West Approach Garden Section A-A Keyplan Regent Road Burns Monument Section A-A West Approach Garden and Regent Road School Access road Upper terrace Calton Hill School Access parking School Access walkway Middle terrace Main garden walk Lower terrace Regent Road garden extension Regent Road Plan A-A p. 14 0m 2.5m 5.0m 7.5m 10.0m Scale: 1-250@A3 Google 2015.
Calton Hill The former Royal High School Section B-B Keyplan South Terraces Regent Road Burns Monument South Terraces and Regent Road Calton Hill School Access parking School courtyards South Terraces Regent Road public realm Section B-B 0m 2.5m 5.0m 7.5m 10.0m Scale: 1-250@A3 Google 2015. Plan B-B p. 15
Front Elevation from Regent Road Indicative Render from Calton Hill Regent Road west: Indicative Render Entrance from the west Proposed aspirational public space adjacent to Regent Road, taking the garden out in to the public domain. South Terraces - offering views southwards out over the city, Arthur s Seat and the Crags. Regent Road: Front Elevation p. 16
Regent Road east: Indicative Render Keyplan Elevation The former Royal High School South Terraces Existing planting adjacent to Regent Terrace with new school extension behind. 0m 2.5m 5.0m 7.5m 10.0m Scale: nts p. 17