Appleton Tower: A Pillar of Academia and Architectural Discourse
Delving into the structure, history, and enduring legacy of a distinctive landmark at the University of Edinburgh.
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Overview
Building Type
Appleton Tower is classified as a university tower block, a distinct architectural typology serving academic functions within an urban setting.
Location
Situated in Edinburgh, Scotland, the tower is an integral part of the University of Edinburgh's central campus infrastructure.
Ownership
The building is owned by the University of Edinburgh, underscoring its role in the institution's academic and administrative landscape.
Construction Timeline
Construction commenced in 1963, with the tower being completed and operational by 1966, marking a significant phase in the university's post-war expansion.
Structural Details
The tower comprises eleven floors, providing substantial vertical space for laboratories, teaching facilities, and administrative offices.
Architectural Design
The design was undertaken by Alan Reiach, Eric Hall and Partners, contributing a notable example of modernist university architecture.
Historical Context
The George Square Redevelopment
Appleton Tower emerged during the University of Edinburgh's ambitious George Square area development in the 1960s. This period saw the demolition of a considerable swathe of historic Georgian Edinburgh, a process that ignited intense debate and accusations of cultural vandalism. The tower was conceived as the initial phase of a larger, interconnected complex of Fundamental Science buildings intended to reshape a significant portion of the university's South Side footprint.
Honoring Sir Edward Appleton
The tower was named in posthumous tribute to Sir Edward Appleton, a distinguished physicist. Sir Edward served as the Principal of the University of Edinburgh and was instrumental in translating the vision for the George Square redevelopment from concept into tangible reality.
A Debate of National Significance
The proposed George Square scheme elicited profound and often vociferous reactions. Both fervent proponents and staunch opponents engaged in passionate arguments, elevating the project beyond a mere campus expansion to a matter of national architectural and cultural discourse. This tension reflected broader societal debates about modernization versus heritage preservation.
Unforeseen Consequences
Although the comprehensive Fundamental Science Buildings project was never fully realized, the preparatory demolition of Bristo Street to create the adjacent Crichton Street site left the university with a conspicuous gap site. This undeveloped area remained an open, windswept car park for over four decades, a stark visual reminder of the incomplete urban planning.
Refurbishment and Adaptation
Post-Fire Utilization
Following the significant Edinburgh Cowgate fire in December 2002, three floors (levels 3-5) of Appleton Tower were temporarily repurposed by the University of Edinburgh's School of Informatics. This interim measure provided essential space for teaching and research activities during a critical period of recovery for the affected departments.
Modernizing Facilities
The floors occupied by the School of Informatics underwent complete refurbishment, transforming them into a modern environment conducive to contemporary teaching and research methodologies. Subsequently, the five lecture theatres and teaching spaces on the ground and first floors were refurbished in 2006, followed by renovations of the remaining floors (basement and levels 6-8) in 2007.
Transition to the Informatics Forum
The completion of the interior renovations in Appleton Tower coincided with further campus development. The adjacent Crichton Street Car Park was closed in 2005 to facilitate the construction of the new Informatics Forum. Upon its completion in 2008, the Informatics Forum became the permanent, state-of-the-art home for the School of Informatics, enabling the relocation of research activities from Appleton Tower.
Exterior Restoration: Recladding
Weathering Challenges
The tower's original external cladding, composed of pre-cast concrete slabs with mosaic detailing, had deteriorated significantly due to exposure to the harsh Scottish climate. This environmental impact necessitated a comprehensive restoration project to preserve the building's structural integrity and aesthetic appeal.
Planning and Execution
In 2014, the university secured planning permission for a substantial recladding of the tower's exterior. The project also encompassed a reworking of the podium structure, the creation of a more defined and accessible main entrance, and efforts to better integrate the tower with its surrounding urban environment on Edinburgh's Southside.
Project Completion
The extensive refurbishment and recladding works were successfully completed on November 7, 2017. This project not only addressed the structural and aesthetic issues but also modernized the building's external envelope, enhancing its resilience and visual coherence within the campus.
Edinburgh Festival Fringe Hub
A Decade of Service
Until 2022, Appleton Tower played a vital role during the annual Edinburgh Festival Fringe. For many years, it served as "Fringe Central," functioning as the primary hub for performers, press, and festival operations throughout August. Its designation as Venue 2 underscored its importance as a central point of activity during the world's largest arts festival.
Relocation and Legacy
In 2022, Fringe Central relocated to the St James Quarter. Subsequently, a permanent new home was established in the Grassmarket, anticipated for 2025. While no longer serving this function, Appleton Tower's history as a key venue for the Edinburgh Festival Fringe remains a significant part of its multifaceted legacy.
Architectural Design and Intent
Conceptual Framework
Designed by Alan Reiach, Eric Hall and Partners, Appleton Tower was conceived as a key component of the University of Edinburgh's ambitious post-war expansion plans. The architectural vision aimed to integrate scientific and artistic disciplines, symbolized by the planned juxtaposition of the Appleton Tower (Sciences) with the David Hume Tower (Arts).
Structural Layout
The tower's design features seven floors dedicated to laboratory accommodation, situated above a double-height circulation concourse. This central concourse served as a primary artery for movement within the building. A distinct block, clad in conglomerate concrete and pebble-imbedded slabs, is attached to the southern side, housing five lecture theatres designed to accommodate approximately 1,200 students.
The Challenge of Isolation
The tower's intended integration into a larger complex was never fully realized due to funding and planning shifts. This resulted in Appleton Tower becoming architecturally isolated, lacking a proper, direct entrance as it was designed to be accessed via connections to adjacent, unbuilt structures. This isolation impacted its accessibility and its relationship with the surrounding campus environment.
Functional Evolution
Originally constructed to centralize the teaching of first-year science students, the tower's upper floors housed teaching laboratories. By the late 20th century, these facilities had become somewhat dated with the development of more modern science campuses. Currently, the upper floors are utilized by the School of Informatics, providing essential free-access study space, administrative offices, and smaller teaching rooms, demonstrating the building's continued adaptability.
Critical Reception and Perception
Aesthetic Judgments
Appleton Tower has frequently been subjected to criticism regarding its external appearance. Its modernist, functionalist design has been perceived by some as stark or imposing. Notably, geneticist Steve Jones once described its "ugliness" as a "wonder of the world" in a BBC2 television program, reflecting a common sentiment among detractors.
Public Campaigns
In the early 2000s, a student newspaper initiated a campaign to nominate the tower for Channel 4's series *Demolition*, which focused on Britain's most architecturally controversial buildings. Although it did not reach the final selection, this campaign highlighted the strong negative opinions held by some students and staff regarding the building's aesthetic qualities.
Listed Status Consideration
In 2005, Historic Scotland considered granting the building listed status, a designation typically reserved for structures of significant architectural or historical importance. However, following opposition, the tower was ultimately removed from consideration for listing, indicating a complex interplay between architectural merit, public opinion, and heritage protection.
The Student Joke
A persistent and widely shared joke among students and staff at the University of Edinburgh posits that Appleton Tower offers some of the finest views in the city precisely because it is one of the few vantage points from which the tower itself is not visible. This quip humorously encapsulates the building's perceived visual dominance and its often-unflattering presence in the urban landscape.
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Important Notice
This page has been generated by an Artificial Intelligence and is intended for informational and educational purposes exclusively. The content is derived from a snapshot of publicly available data from Wikipedia and may not represent the most current or complete information available. It is presented with the aim of providing a comprehensive overview suitable for advanced academic study.
This is not professional advice. The information provided herein should not be considered a substitute for professional consultation regarding architectural history, urban planning, building conservation, or university administration. Always consult with qualified experts and refer to official documentation for specific applications or detailed analysis. Reliance on any information provided on this page is solely at your own risk.
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