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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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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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

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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

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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

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-A

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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

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-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

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