Documents

There are no additional online documents for this record.

Summary

Description

Lorimer and Matthew, 1930-31. 2-storey symmetrical 15-bay, U-plan teaching building. Droved sandstone ashlar. Base course; eaves course; cornice; 2-storey giant order; architraved windows. The north (entrance) elevation has an advanced 3-bay centrepiece with steps up to architraved doorway. There is a 2-leaf, 4-panel timber door with bronze fittings, and narrow architraved single windows with carved windowheads to either side. There is a seated figure carved in relief above the doorway with a curvilinear wallhead. The 2nd floor of the central bay is recessed to form a balcony with an architraved window. Above is a curvilinear gable with a pierced ogival quatrefoil, inscribed 'GEOLOGY 1931', rising above the roofline.

The windows at the 1st and 2nd floors to the north, east and west elevations have synthetic stone aprons between them, dividing the floor levels, and flanked on either side by giant pilasters. The building has predominantly 8-pane steel-framed windows. It has a grey slated, piended roof with swept eaves. There is a skylight to the left of the curvilinear gable above the entrance, and chimney stacks and cans to the rear. The building has cast-iron rainwater goods.

The interior was seen in 2015. The main reception hall has an open-well staircase to the south. The stair has synthetic stone steps and a wrought iron balustrade and handrail with twisted uprights and stylised organic motifs at intervals.

Statement of Special Interest

The Grant Institute of Geology is part of an associated group of buildings for scientific education at the University of Edinburgh's 'King's Buildings' campus, designed and built between 1926 and 1932 by the important 20th century Scottish architectural partnership of Sir Robert Lorimer and John Fraser Matthew.

The Grant Institute groups well with other buildings for science of a similar age and architectural style at the King's Buildings campus. Referencing the collection of pre-1939 buildings at the King's Buildings site, 'The Buildings of Scotland – Edinburgh' notes the 'monumental frontages advertising the dignity of science' (Gifford et al, p.486). Stylistically, the buildings for the King's Buildings site by Lorimer and Matthew are designed in a paired-back classical style, fashionable for public buildings at the time. Lorimer and Matthew added Dutch-colonial and Arts and Craft features to the plain classical planning and plan form. John F Matthew (1875 - 1955) was 'almost wholly responsible for the University's King's Buildings commissioned in 1927-29' (Dictionary of Scottish Architects). When Lorimer died in September 1929 he became sole partner. The interior entrance hall and central stair are carefully finished and detailed.

A 115 acre (45 hectare) area, formerly West Mains Farm, on the southside of the city had been purchased in 1919 by the University for the relocation and expansion of its science departments. The sense of uncertainty during the years between the wars were felt at universities across the country, with economic austerity leading to a reduction in funding for scientific research. Increasing demand for laboratory facilities and lack of available funds led, in 1921, to the University launching an appeal for the erection of classrooms and laboratories at what was to become the King's Buildings site. Alexander Grant (1864-1937), chairman of the McVitie biscuit empire, donated £50,000 to the University of Edinburgh to support the new science campus at King's Buildings and the geologly department was named in honour of the benefactor. The building was officially opened by Ramsay Macdonald, Prime Minister, on 28 January 1932. In his 1994 book 'Science at the University of Edinburgh', Ronald Birse notes that 'it was fortunate that the new building was completed at a time when geology was becoming less of an observational science and more dependent on experimental work in the laboratory' (Birse, p.114).

The University renamed the road network at King's Buildings campus in 2014, using the names of notable scientists.

Statutory Address and Listed Building Record revised in 2016. Previously Listed as 'Mayfield Road And West Mains Road, University Of Edinburgh, King's Buildings, Geology'.

References

Bibliography

About Listed Buildings

Historic Environment Scotland is responsible for designating sites and places at the national level. These designations are Scheduled monuments, Listed buildings, Inventory of gardens and designed landscapes and Inventory of historic battlefields.

We make recommendations to the Scottish Government about historic marine protected areas, and the Scottish Ministers decide whether to designate.

Listing is the process that identifies, designates and provides statutory protection for buildings of special architectural or historic interest as set out in the Planning (Listed Buildings and Conservation Areas) (Scotland) Act 1997.

We list buildings which are found to be of special architectural or historic interest using the selection guidance published in Designation Policy and Selection Guidance (2019)

Listed building records provide an indication of the special architectural or historic interest of the listed building which has been identified by its statutory address. The description and additional information provided are supplementary and have no legal weight.

These records are not definitive historical accounts or a complete description of the building(s). If part of a building is not described it does not mean it is not listed. The format of the listed building record has changed over time. Earlier records may be brief and some information will not have been recorded.

The legal part of the listing is the address/name of site which is known as the statutory address. Other than the name or address of a listed building, further details are provided for information purposes only. Historic Environment Scotland does not accept any liability for any loss or damage suffered as a consequence of inaccuracies in the information provided. Addresses and building names may have changed since the date of listing. Even if a number or name is missing from a listing address it will still be listed. Listing covers both the exterior and the interior and any object or structure fixed to the building. Listing also applies to buildings or structures not physically attached but which are part of the curtilage (or land) of the listed building as long as they were erected before 1 July 1948.

While Historic Environment Scotland is responsible for designating listed buildings, the planning authority is responsible for determining what is covered by the listing, including what is listed through curtilage. However, for listed buildings designated or for listings amended from 1 October 2015, legal exclusions to the listing may apply.

If part of a building is not listed, it will say that it is excluded in the statutory address and in the statement of special interest in the listed building record. The statement will use the word 'excluding' and quote the relevant section of the 1997 Act. Some earlier listed building records may use the word 'excluding', but if the Act is not quoted, the record has not been revised to reflect subsequent legislation.

Listed building consent is required for changes to a listed building which affect its character as a building of special architectural or historic interest. The relevant planning authority is the point of contact for applications for listed building consent.

Find out more about listing and our other designations at www.historicenvironment.scot/advice-and-support. You can contact us on 0131 668 8914 or at designations@hes.scot.

Images

Map