University of Edinburgh Old College

University of Edinburgh Old College

A monumental and important classical university quadrangle designed by Robert Adam in 1789 with completion of the quadrangle by William Henry Playfair between 1818 and 1834, and the dome added by Sir Rowand Anderson in 1888. The courtyard was landscaped in 2010.

The building sits on a sloping site with a deep raised basement and attic to the street elevation and a two-storey quadrangle. It is constructed of ashlar with a chamfered rusticated raised basement. There is a deep base course, band courses (one with patera design), cill courses, and a dentilled cornice. Window openings include Venetian, Diocletian and tripartite designs with Doric columned mullions. Some first-floor windows have moulded architraves, balustraded aprons and cornices, and some are pedimented. Later recessed dormers are present.

The east elevation, which serves as the entrance from South Bridge, has 15 bays and is distinguished by a distinctive dome. The central feature is an advanced three-bay Giant Order Doric triumphal-arch entrance with three-bay advanced outer bays, a Doric frieze and balustraded parapet. The central key-stoned round-arched entrance is topped by a large multi-pane glazing pattern lunette and leads to a vaulted pend with a central domed ceiling. A centrally placed three-stage drum and dome rises above, surmounted by a circular lantern with a gilded figure at its apex. The drum is pedimented with columned three-light windows.

The quadrangle itself is symmetrical with round-arched openings at ground level and some arcaded loggias. Ionic pilasters and columns mark the upper storey. Angle quadrants with Ionic loggias define the corners at the upper storeys, and the parapet is balustraded. Pairs of advanced pedimented three-bay sections appear on the north and south sides. A raised balustraded terrace with stairs extends along the north, south and west elevations.

Windows are predominantly 12-pane timber sash and case, with some round-arched multi-pane timber sash and case examples. The roof is covered in grey slates with ridge and wallhead chimneystacks.

The interior contains later alterations but retains many original features throughout, including outstanding neo-classical rooms by Playfair. The library is an impressive neo-classical 11-bay two-storey room with a coffered barrel-vaulted ceiling and intricately decorative plasterwork cornicing. It has shelved alcoves to the north and south and Ionic columned screens to the east and west. The Georgian Room, three bays, features paired Corinthian pilasters to each bay and domed glass and metal cupolas above with intricately carved pendentives, together with a consoled balcony with decorative metal railing. A wide cantilevered staircase with decorative metal balusters and timber handrail is present, as is an oval open-well staircase. Other rooms retain outstanding neo-classical decorative fire surrounds and intricate plasterwork cornicing.

Three sets of decorative spear-headed cast iron gates mark the south entrance. Several pairs of decorative cast iron lamp standards with curvilinear bases and capped glass lantern bowls are located in the courtyard.

The central courtyard, re-ordered in 2010, comprises a level area of lawn surrounded by a paved seating area.