Rowand Anderson's McEwan Hall is a D-shaped hall with two semicircular galleries served by intertwining spiral stairs, one entered from outside and the other from inside the hall. This double helix stair concept is considered to be unique in Scotland.
photos © Adrian Welch 4 Aug 2007
The McEwan Hall was built to seat 2000 for graduations, concerts and public functions. The Hall was used by the City of Edinburgh before building their own Usher Hall in 1914 with funds donated by rival Edinburgh brewers.
The interior decoration was by William Palin, who had worked at the Science Museum in London. The female figures around the dome represent the Arts & Sciences. McEwan himself appears in the mural of Minerva in the Grove of Academe, receiving the gift of the Hall.
The main [stepped] entrance to the Hall is from Reid Quad to the south. There is a level access into the hall via Door F which opens off Teviot Place. There is no lift access to the first floor spaces ie the Board Room and Balconies.
Sir William McEwan, founder of the Edinburgh brewing firm, was MP for Central Edinburgh, a connoisseur of art and a noted philanthropist. Having made their fortune from the city, brewing families such as Usher and McEwan seemed to want to give something back to Edinburgh, and embed their names in the city's daily life.
Located in Bristo Square, adjacent to the University of Edinburgh's Medical School, the McEwan Hall was designed by Sir Robert Rowand Anderson between 1888 and 1897 in a decorative Italian Renaissance style. Like the Usher Hall, it took a long time from design to completion - 23 years. The building was originally planned as part of the University's new Medical School.
The McEwan Hall continues to be used for graduations, concerts, public lectures and examinations by the University of Edinburgh.
Robert Adam
Frank Gehry
McEwan Hall context - Bristo Square at Festival time: Underbelly
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photo © Adrian Welch 120108
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