horror when I found it was a lunatic house..." James L
(http://www.scotsman.com/lifestyle/letters-tell-of-life-inside-victorian
-mental-asylum-1-2811775)
Hidden within Edinburgh's southern boundaries is the architectural gem
known as Craighouse. The site has a varied history, playing host to
Architects Robert Reid, William Burn Edinburgh Lunatic Asylum (later
called the Royal Edinburgh Hospital for Mental and Nervous Disorders) in
the late 1800's & more recently a Napier University Campus.
As you would expect from a former Victorian hospital, this site is
abundant in breathtaking Victorian Architecture (& also one rather
unfortunate later edition that rings of 1960's brutality).
road+new+craig+house/
My first interaction with the site was on a walk, I had no idea it was
there until my attention was caught with tantalising glimpses of
Sandstone amidst the trees or the surrounding woodland. Then I turned a
corner in the path to find myself standing in an open space dominated by
the wonders of yesteryears.
My first reaction is that you can immediately feel the history in the
site (the hospital more than the university). I was first confronted by
the site's largest building, the main hospital block. Standing before it
as minor speck in it's shadow, you can instantly feel the sinister
atmosphere around it. It's once spotless sandstone exterior blackened
with age adding to the uncomforted thoughts of what happened within its
imposing walls.
But then as you drift back in to today, you are left gazing upon the
abandoned wonder, realising that those walls that no doubt the mere
sight of once struck fear in it's visitors (both willing & non), now
stands a space haunted by the loss of it's importance (a frightening
irony considering much of the same would have been inflicted upon its
former inhabitants).
there until my attention was caught with tantalising glimpses of
Sandstone amidst the trees or the surrounding woodland. Then I turned a
corner in the path to find myself standing in an open space dominated by
the wonders of yesteryears.
My first reaction is that you can immediately feel the history in the
site (the hospital more than the university). I was first confronted by
the site's largest building, the main hospital block. Standing before it
as minor speck in it's shadow, you can instantly feel the sinister
atmosphere around it. It's once spotless sandstone exterior blackened
with age adding to the uncomforted thoughts of what happened within its
imposing walls.
But then as you drift back in to today, you are left gazing upon the
abandoned wonder, realising that those walls that no doubt the mere
sight of once struck fear in it's visitors (both willing & non), now
stands a space haunted by the loss of it's importance (a frightening
irony considering much of the same would have been inflicted upon its
former inhabitants).
road+new+craig+house/
To me nothing is sadder than a beautiful building neglected or
suffering, throughout history legacy was important, we needed something
to pass on to our future generations. So with this ethic Architecture of
the past was built to last, and in our modern throwaway world we've let
too many good things suffer & die in plain site.
suffering, throughout history legacy was important, we needed something
to pass on to our future generations. So with this ethic Architecture of
the past was built to last, and in our modern throwaway world we've let
too many good things suffer & die in plain site.
And this is where the story almost had a happy ending...
Craighouse was recently sold to the Mountgrange Real Estate Opportunity
fund/Craighouse partnership, a development company with plans for
transforming the site into a residential redevelopment. This is no real
surprise or reason to panic really as this the general fate of historic
buildings and I would rather see historic architecture used than let to
rot. But upon hearing the development plans the joy very much ends
there...
Putting aside the frightening lack of knowledge the developer has
displayed about the sites current state (initial site plans show the
buildings with some rather fantastical dimensions & an array of phantom
trees), it is the Craighouse Partnerships proposition of the insertion
of some new builds to "compliment" the context that have proven cause
for alarm.
Should the plans go ahead no longer would I find my focus drawn to the
historic beauty of the site instead, I would find myself visually
assaulted by titanic sized bundles of "luxury modernity" spreading
across the wondrous open green space the site offers.
Here the greed of developers here becomes as evident as the garishness
of their proposed new builds, instead of investing all the money into
the existing buildings redevelopment (there is the potential for a large
number of flats/apartments here) they have chosen quantity over quality.
It's a saddening reality as we don't need more cheapened "trend"
residential architecture, the sites current buildings (minus 1) prove
that quality is what stands the test of time & can go on to be reused
over & over, building a rich & vibrant history along the way.
All is not yet lost though, The Friends of Craighouse are fighting the
good battle to preserve the site. While their reasons may be slightly
different from my own, our end goal feels the same, which makes theirs a
cause worth joining.
For those who share this goal, if you live locally we have until 4th
July 2014 to object, so if you are local to Edinburgh you can object to
the planning authorities. Or if you just wish to help however you can
head over to www.friendsofcraighouse.com/ to find out more & how to
object
Also for some fantastic images & the original Architectural drawings for
the Royal Hospital check out
http://canmore.rcahms.gov.uk/en/site/73627/details/edinburgh+craighouse+
road+new+craig+house/
of their proposed new builds, instead of investing all the money into
the existing buildings redevelopment (there is the potential for a large
number of flats/apartments here) they have chosen quantity over quality.
It's a saddening reality as we don't need more cheapened "trend"
residential architecture, the sites current buildings (minus 1) prove
that quality is what stands the test of time & can go on to be reused
over & over, building a rich & vibrant history along the way.
All is not yet lost though, The Friends of Craighouse are fighting the
good battle to preserve the site. While their reasons may be slightly
different from my own, our end goal feels the same, which makes theirs a
cause worth joining.
For those who share this goal, if you live locally we have until 4th
July 2014 to object, so if you are local to Edinburgh you can object to
the planning authorities. Or if you just wish to help however you can
head over to www.friendsofcraighouse.com/ to find out more & how to
object
Also for some fantastic images & the original Architectural drawings for
the Royal Hospital check out
http://canmore.rcahms.gov.uk/en/site/73627/details/edinburgh+craighouse+
road+new+craig+house/
(Also for some interesting reading, give the link at the top of the page a look!)
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