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at the Former Royal High School
A New St Mary’s Music School
Landscape Design and Access Statement
December 2015
150863_OPEN_RHS_LDAS-01
contents1 |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
figuresSite 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
Site Location
p. 5
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© Google 2015.
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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
National 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.
The ‘Crag and Tail’ topography Calton Hill
Historic aerial photograph: 1945
p. 6
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© Google 2015.
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.
Historic illustration, Canmore.org.uk ref SC 924509 George Meikle Kemp
Historic illustration looking toward Salisbury Crags from Calton Hill
Undated photo from Scottish Colorfoto RCAHMS SC 11677307
David Roberts RA c1850 - Perspective from the South East
Thomas Hamilton: Design for the Royal High School
Scholar’s Pass No 24, issued for the year 1859-60 to Jacebus Jamieson Copyright: Peter Stubbs
Royal High School - Landscape DAS
p. 7
site photography and analysis
View over the former Royal High School from Calton Hill
View north from Radical Road
View north from Queens Drive
View from Canongate burial ground
Salisbury Crags / Arthur’s Seat
The Nelson MonumentThe former Royal High School
Salisbury Crags
Arthur’s Seat
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.
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.
The sweeping nature of Calton Hill, with its ‘crag and tail’ topography, ties in with the horizontality of the building.
The horizontality of the building sits in harmony with the contours of the hill.
p. 8
Regent Road
West elevationSouthern elevation facing Regent Road
Steps down to Regent RoadExisting vegetation
Pedestrian route along northern edge
Entry from the westUpper level southern facing facade
Old School entranceNarrow pavements in poor condition
p. 9
2 |concept + approach
Concept
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.
p. 10
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© Google 2015.
Initial sketches
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.
Royal High School - Landscape DAS
p. 11© Google 2015.
3 |proposed plan
text description................
Legend
Application Site
1 Upper Terrace
2 Middle Terrace
3 Lower Terrace
4 Vegetable Garden
5 West Temple Terrace
6 Main Garden Walk
7 Southern Garden Walk
8 South Terraces
9 Regent Road - Enhanced Public Realm
10 Regent Road Garden Extension
11 School Access Road
12 School Access Parking
13 School Access Walkway
14 School Access Gate
15 School Courtyard
16 East Roof Park / Playground
17 School Internal Courtyard
18 Green Roof
11
1
2
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3
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3
3
4
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5
6
6
7
8
9
9
9
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9
p. 12
West Approach Garden
School Access
Regent Road
South Terraces
South Terraces
East Park / Playground
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Private School access
Public secured access
Public access
Private School entrance
Public secured areas
Public open
The Proposed Plan
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Public and private access
Public and private zones
Character Areas
Regent Road
Regent Terrace
Calton Hill Drive
p. 13© Google 2015.
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4 |site sections
West Approach Garden and Regent Road
Plan A-A
Section A-A
Keyplan
Calton Hill School Access West Approach Garden
Main garden walkMiddle terrace
School Access walkway
School Access road Upper terrace
School Access parkingCalton HillLower terrace
Regent Road garden extension
Regent Road
The former Royal High School
Regent Road Burns Monument
Se
ctio
n A
-A
p. 14© Google 2015.
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Calton Hill
South Terraces and Regent Road
Plan B-B
Section B-B
Keyplan
Calton Hill
School courtyardsSchool Access parking South TerracesRegent Roadpublic realm
The former Royal High School
Regent RoadSouth Terraces Burns Monument
Se
ctio
n B
-B
p. 15© Google 2015.
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Front Elevation from Regent Road
Regent Road: Front Elevation
South Terraces - offering views southwards out over the city, Arthur’s Seat and the Crags.
Proposed aspirational public space adjacent to Regent Road, taking the garden out in to the public domain.
Entrance from the west
Indicative Render from Calton Hill Regent Road west: Indicative Render
p. 16
KeyplanElevation
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The former Royal High School South Terraces Existing planting adjacent to Regent Terrace with new school extension behind.
Regent Road east: Indicative Render
p. 17
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