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Appleton Tower Wiki2Web Clarity Challenge

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Study Guide: Appleton Tower: Architectural and Historical Context

Cheat Sheet:
Appleton Tower: Architectural and Historical Context Study Guide

Origins and Construction

The construction of Appleton Tower was completed in 1963.

Answer: False

Explanation: According to the source material, the construction of Appleton Tower commenced in 1963 and was completed in 1966.

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Appleton Tower was designed by the University of Edinburgh's in-house architectural team.

Answer: False

Explanation: Appleton Tower was designed by the architectural firm Alan Reiach, Eric Hall and Partners, not the university's in-house team.

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The tower was named after physicist Sir Edward Appleton, who was the university's Principal during its construction.

Answer: False

Explanation: The tower was named in posthumous honor of Sir Edward Appleton, a physicist who held the position of University Principal during its construction phase, not necessarily overseeing it directly.

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What is Appleton Tower and where is it primarily located?

Answer: A university tower block in Edinburgh, Scotland.

Explanation: Appleton Tower is a university tower block situated in Edinburgh, Scotland, and is under the ownership of the University of Edinburgh.

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During which years was Appleton Tower constructed?

Answer: 1963-1966

Explanation: The construction of Appleton Tower commenced in 1963 and concluded in 1966.

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Which architectural firm was responsible for designing Appleton Tower?

Answer: Alan Reiach, Eric Hall and Partners

Explanation: Appleton Tower was designed by the architectural firm Alan Reiach, Eric Hall and Partners.

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Appleton Tower was named in honor of which notable individual?

Answer: Sir Edward Appleton, a physicist

Explanation: The tower was named in honor of Sir Edward Appleton, a physicist who also served as the university's Principal during its construction.

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Architectural Features and Design Intent

Appleton Tower contains a total of 11 floors.

Answer: True

Explanation: Appleton Tower comprises a total of eleven floors.

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The original design of Appleton Tower included laboratory accommodation above a circulation concourse and lecture theatres in an attached block.

Answer: True

Explanation: The original design of Appleton Tower included seven floors of laboratory accommodation above a double-height circulation concourse, and an attached block containing five lecture theatres.

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Appleton Tower and David Hume Tower were designed to represent the separation of arts and sciences at the university.

Answer: False

Explanation: The completion of Appleton Tower (Sciences) and David Hume Tower (Arts) was intended to symbolize the integration, not separation, of arts and sciences, reflecting Sir Edward Appleton's vision.

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The primary function of Appleton Tower upon its construction was to house administrative offices for the university.

Answer: False

Explanation: The primary function of Appleton Tower upon its construction was to facilitate the teaching of first-year science students, not to house administrative offices.

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The five lecture theatres in Appleton Tower could collectively hold up to 1,200 students.

Answer: True

Explanation: The five lecture theatres within Appleton Tower had a combined capacity to accommodate approximately 1,200 students.

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The lecture theatre block attached to Appleton Tower is clad in smooth glass panels.

Answer: False

Explanation: The lecture theatre block attached to Appleton Tower is described as being clad in conglomerate concrete and pebble-imbedded slabs, not smooth glass panels.

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The podium facilities in Appleton Tower were originally designed to house student accommodation.

Answer: False

Explanation: The podium facilities in Appleton Tower were designed to house various functional spaces, not specifically student accommodation.

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How many floors does Appleton Tower have in total?

Answer: 11 floors

Explanation: Appleton Tower comprises a total of eleven floors.

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What was the initial intended role of Appleton Tower within the George Square development plan?

Answer: To be the first phase of interconnected Fundamental Science buildings.

Explanation: Within the George Square development plan, Appleton Tower was initially conceived as the first phase of a series of interconnected Fundamental Science buildings, forming part of a larger proposed development.

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Which of the following was NOT a component of Appleton Tower's original design?

Answer: A rooftop swimming pool

Explanation: A rooftop swimming pool was not a component of Appleton Tower's original design; the design included laboratory accommodation, a circulation concourse, and lecture theatres.

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What did the completion of Appleton Tower and David Hume Tower symbolize for the University of Edinburgh?

Answer: The integration of arts and sciences within the university.

Explanation: The completion of Appleton Tower (Sciences) and David Hume Tower (Arts) symbolized the integration of arts and sciences within the University of Edinburgh's Central area, reflecting Sir Edward Appleton's vision.

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What was the main educational purpose of Appleton Tower when it was initially constructed?

Answer: Teaching first-year science students.

Explanation: The main educational purpose of Appleton Tower upon its initial construction was to facilitate the teaching of first-year science students.

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What was the approximate total student capacity of the five lecture theatres within Appleton Tower?

Answer: 1,200 students

Explanation: The five lecture theatres within Appleton Tower possessed a combined capacity to accommodate approximately 1,200 students.

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Historical Context and Redevelopment

Appleton Tower is situated in Manchester, England.

Answer: False

Explanation: The provided source material indicates that Appleton Tower is located in Edinburgh, Scotland, not Manchester, England.

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Appleton Tower was part of a larger university development project in the George Square area that involved demolishing historic Georgian buildings.

Answer: True

Explanation: Appleton Tower was part of the University of Edinburgh's development of the George Square area, a project involving the demolition of a significant portion of Georgian Edinburgh that faced accusations of cultural vandalism and ignited national debate.

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The George Square development initially planned for Appleton Tower to be the final phase of construction.

Answer: False

Explanation: The George Square development initially planned for Appleton Tower to be the first phase of interconnected Fundamental Science buildings, not the final phase.

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The demolition of Bristo Street for the George Square scheme resulted in a permanent open car park for over 40 years.

Answer: True

Explanation: The demolition of Bristo Street for the George Square scheme resulted in an undeveloped gap site, which remained an open car park for over forty years.

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Appleton Tower was left isolated with an incomplete entrance because planned interlocking buildings were completed on time.

Answer: False

Explanation: The isolation and incomplete entrance of Appleton Tower resulted from the failure to complete planned interlocking buildings, not their timely completion, due to funding issues and relocations.

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The planned Mathematics and Physics building for Crichton Street was eventually constructed on the same site in the 1960s.

Answer: False

Explanation: The planned Mathematics and Physics building for Crichton Street was relocated to King's Buildings and constructed there, not on the original Crichton Street site.

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What significant historical context surrounds the construction of Appleton Tower in the 1960s?

Answer: It was part of a controversial redevelopment involving the demolition of Georgian Edinburgh.

Explanation: The construction of Appleton Tower occurred within the broader context of the University of Edinburgh's development of the George Square area, a project involving the demolition of a significant portion of Georgian Edinburgh that faced accusations of cultural vandalism and ignited national debate.

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What unexpected issue arose from the demolition work for the George Square scheme on Bristo Street?

Answer: It left an undeveloped gap site that became a car park for over forty years.

Explanation: The demolition of Bristo Street for the George Square scheme resulted in an undeveloped gap site, which remained an open car park for over forty years.

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Why did Appleton Tower end up isolated and lacking a proper entrance as originally envisioned?

Answer: Planned interlocking buildings were relocated or abandoned due to funding issues.

Explanation: Appleton Tower became isolated and lacked its originally envisioned proper entrance because the planned interlocking buildings were relocated or abandoned due to funding issues, preventing their integration and connection.

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Operational History and Renovations

Appleton Tower was unaffected by the Edinburgh Cowgate fire in 2002.

Answer: False

Explanation: Following the Edinburgh Cowgate fire in 2002, three floors of Appleton Tower were utilized by the University of Edinburgh's School of Informatics, indicating it was affected by the aftermath.

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The lecture theatres and teaching spaces on the ground and first floors were refurbished in 2006.

Answer: True

Explanation: The lecture theatres and teaching spaces situated on the ground and first floors of Appleton Tower underwent refurbishment in 2006.

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The renovation of the remaining floors of Appleton Tower, including the basement, occurred in 2007.

Answer: True

Explanation: The renovation of the remaining floors of Appleton Tower, encompassing the basement and floors 6 through 8, was completed in 2007.

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Which university department utilized three floors of Appleton Tower following the Cowgate fire in 2002?

Answer: The School of Informatics

Explanation: The School of Informatics utilized three floors of Appleton Tower subsequent to the Cowgate fire in 2002, offering a contemporary setting for their teaching and research.

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In what year were the lecture theatres and teaching spaces on the ground and first floors of Appleton Tower refurbished?

Answer: 2006

Explanation: The lecture theatres and teaching spaces situated on the ground and first floors of Appleton Tower underwent refurbishment in 2006.

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When were the upper floors (6-8) and basement of Appleton Tower renovated?

Answer: 2007

Explanation: The renovation of the remaining floors of Appleton Tower, encompassing the basement and floors 6 through 8, was completed in 2007.

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Later Uses and Recladding

The School of Informatics relocated from Appleton Tower *before* the construction of the Informatics Forum.

Answer: False

Explanation: The School of Informatics relocated from Appleton Tower *after* the construction of the Informatics Forum was completed in 2008, not before.

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The original external cladding of Appleton Tower, made of concrete slabs, had deteriorated due to poor initial design.

Answer: False

Explanation: The deterioration of Appleton Tower's original external cladding, made of concrete slabs, was primarily attributed to exposure to the Scottish weather, not poor initial design.

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The recladding project for Appleton Tower, which included reworking the podium, began after permission was granted in 2014.

Answer: True

Explanation: The recladding project for Appleton Tower, including the reworking of the podium, commenced subsequent to the granting of permission in 2014.

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Appleton Tower's recladding and refurbishment were finalized in November 2017.

Answer: True

Explanation: The recladding and refurbishment works for Appleton Tower were officially completed on November 7, 2017.

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Appleton Tower was used as Fringe Central (Venue 2) for the Edinburgh Festival Fringe until 2025.

Answer: False

Explanation: Appleton Tower served as Fringe Central (Venue 2) for the Edinburgh Festival Fringe until 2022, not 2025.

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Fringe Central moved to the Grassmarket in 2025 after concluding its use of Appleton Tower.

Answer: False

Explanation: Fringe Central moved to St James Quarter in 2022 and was scheduled for a permanent relocation to the Grassmarket in 2025, but its use of Appleton Tower concluded in 2022.

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The upper floors of Appleton Tower are currently used for administrative offices and student housing.

Answer: False

Explanation: The upper floors of Appleton Tower are currently utilized for Informatics study space, offices, and small teaching rooms, not administrative offices and student housing.

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What event directly led to the School of Informatics relocating from Appleton Tower?

Answer: The completion of the Informatics Forum building.

Explanation: The direct catalyst for the School of Informatics' relocation from Appleton Tower was the completion of the Informatics Forum building.

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What was the primary reason for the deterioration of Appleton Tower's original external cladding?

Answer: Constant exposure to the harsh Scottish weather.

Explanation: The primary reason for the deterioration of Appleton Tower's original external cladding was constant exposure to the harsh Scottish weather, not poor initial design.

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When were the exterior recladding and refurbishment works on Appleton Tower officially completed?

Answer: November 7, 2017

Explanation: The exterior recladding and refurbishment works on Appleton Tower were officially completed on November 7, 2017.

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What role did Appleton Tower serve for the Edinburgh Festival Fringe until 2022?

Answer: Fringe Central (Venue 2)

Explanation: Until 2022, Appleton Tower served as "Fringe Central" (Venue 2) for the Edinburgh Festival Fringe, functioning as a central hub for performers and the press.

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Where was Fringe Central scheduled to permanently relocate after its time at St James Quarter?

Answer: The Grassmarket

Explanation: After its use of Appleton Tower concluded in 2022 and a period at St James Quarter, Fringe Central was scheduled for a permanent relocation to the Grassmarket.

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What is the current function of the upper floors of Appleton Tower, according to the source?

Answer: Free access study space, offices, and small teaching rooms for Informatics

Explanation: The upper floors of Appleton Tower are currently utilized by the School of Informatics for free access study space, office space, and small teaching rooms.

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Public Perception and Legacy

Appleton Tower has been praised for its aesthetically pleasing architecture.

Answer: False

Explanation: Appleton Tower has frequently faced criticism for its appearance, with notable commentary describing its ugliness rather than praising its aesthetics.

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A student campaign in 2005 aimed to get Appleton Tower featured on a show about Britain's best buildings.

Answer: False

Explanation: The student campaign in 2005 aimed to nominate Appleton Tower for a television series about Britain's *worst* buildings, not its best.

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Historic Scotland granted Appleton Tower listed building status in 2005, which was later revoked.

Answer: False

Explanation: Historic Scotland considered granting Appleton Tower listed building status in 2005, but it was ultimately removed from the list after opposition, meaning it was not granted status and revoked.

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A common joke suggests Appleton Tower offers excellent views because it is invisible from the city center.

Answer: True

Explanation: The common joke suggests that Appleton Tower offers excellent views precisely because it is one of the few structures in the city center from which the tower itself cannot be seen.

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Which description accurately reflects the criticism regarding Appleton Tower's appearance?

Answer: Its ugliness was described as a 'wonder of the world' by a geneticist.

Explanation: A description reflecting criticism of Appleton Tower's appearance is that its ugliness was described as a 'wonder of the world' by geneticist Steve Jones on a BBC2 television show.

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What was the goal of the student newspaper campaign in 2005 concerning Appleton Tower?

Answer: To nominate the tower for a television show about Britain's worst buildings.

Explanation: The goal of the student newspaper campaign in 2005 was to nominate Appleton Tower for Channel 4's television series *Demolition*, which focused on identifying Britain's worst buildings.

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What was the outcome of Historic Scotland's consideration for granting Appleton Tower listed building status?

Answer: It was considered but ultimately removed from the list after opposition.

Explanation: Historic Scotland considered granting Appleton Tower listed building status in 2005, but it was ultimately removed from the list after opposition.

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General Information and Metadata

No questions available for this topic.