Elmwood College, Main Block To South, Carslogie Road, Cupar

Elmwood College’s Main Block to South, designed by John Ramsay Cowieson with Robert Sorlie Lowrie, was built between 1966 and 1971. It is a late Modernist college block, situated on a large site that once contained Hope Park villa, and is part of a larger college complex. The building is a 4-storey, rectangular block with alternating horizontal bands of glazing and red brick, constructed using a steel frame and cavity walls. It features narrow concrete cills and lintels, and stepped, cut-out glazing details to the south, north, and west elevations. A horizontal fascia separates the window line from the flat roof.

A double-height library projection, supported by terrazo-tiled pilotis and returning at a corner angle, extends out from the main entrance on the south side. Double timber and glazed doors provide access, with aggregate rendered panelling visible. The glazing incorporates convex-rectangular windows with multi-faceted mullions that taper to points at the top and bottom. A former projection room projects outward.

An assembly hall, adjoining the main block to the east, features a 7-bay configuration with a stage and rooms behind the stage. It has a distinctive saw-tooth wall and roof design, with full-height glazing to the south and clerestory windows to the north. The eastern rear elevation of the stage is canted, with a 3-window configuration. Sliding metal-frame casement windows are present, and the roof is covered in sheet metal.

The interior is characterized by a careful articulation of spaces with zig-zag folds and geometrically arranged walls, ceilings, and surface treatments. Timber doors with glazed panels are a feature, along with parquet timber flooring and timber panelling. The entrance foyer has a bowed, double-door partition, and a double-height space with a nail-head geometric ceiling panel. An angular spiral staircase provides access to the assembly hall gallery. A glazed, cantilevered mezzanine overlooks the entrance, featuring chamfered timber mullions. Additional interior elements include fitted display boards, glazed cabinets, an assembly hall with a timber-framed glazed wall, a saw-tooth ceiling and walls, a gallery with tiered seating, nail-head timber panel detailing to the stage and gallery, a tile clad ceiling, a canteen with a geometric coffered ceiling, and a library with a steel and timber mezzanine level, chamfered timber balusters, metal artworks, and a former lecture theatre converted for additional library space.