Andrew Melville Hall
Encyclopedia
Andrew Melville Hall is a student hall of residence of the University of St Andrews
, Scotland
.
It is named after Andrew Melville
, a 16th-century Scottish scholar, theologian
and religious reformer who was a graduate of the University, and who later became its rector and dean of theology.
, Andrew Melville Hall was built during a major expansion of the University in the 1960s using prefabricated
concrete
modules. Errors in construction meant that extensive remedial work was required over several decades. Plans for further buildings to the same design were abandoned.
It is of a striking design and is situated prominently at the North Haugh on a ridge overlooking the St Andrews Links
. The hall resembles passing ships, a common theme of the architect's style. http://www.andrewmelvillehall.org.uk/index.php?section=42
It has become an important architectural landmark and has been ranked number 12 in the top 100 Scottish buildings of the last 50 years. Despite this, many students and townsfolk continue to regard it as an eyesore.
Each block is divided up into a number of floors
accessed through a central stairwell from the ground floor concourse
. Typically each floor consists of sixteen study-bedrooms arranged in two groups of eight on either side of the stairwell, a number of showers/bathrooms and a pantry. The buildings' striking geometry is reflected in the irregular octagonal shape of the bedrooms. Blocks A, D and E have glass
enclosures similar in shape to a garden greenhouse
atop them to provide natural light to their stairwells; this has led to the top floor of block A being called "the greenhouse".
The hall itself has three common rooms in the central block, as well as a library and study room off the main concourse in E block and similarly a computer and study room at the end of A block. It is a catered residence, with three meals a day being served other than on Saturday and Sunday, when students can prepare food for themselves in the three communal kitchens which are situated on the main concourse.
While the main access to the hall is from the North Haugh, the central block's staircase leads to a path to David Russell Apartments
, the nearby Sports Centre and playing fields. In the summer vacation the residence is open for use by conferences and block bookings.
As all residences in the University of St Andrews, it has a number of staff and students that contribute to its running. Various groups contribute to the operation and maintenance of the hall. A warden's team is responsible for student welfare, discipline, and has oversight for community development. A student committee elected by the residents, headed by the senior student, is responsible for student matters. A residence management team is responsible for the day to day running of the residence, including catering, house services, and maintenance.
of Kazuo Ishiguro
’s novel, Never Let Me Go starring Keira Knightley
.
University of St Andrews
The University of St Andrews, informally referred to as "St Andrews", is the oldest university in Scotland and the third oldest in the English-speaking world after Oxford and Cambridge. The university is situated in the town of St Andrews, Fife, on the east coast of Scotland. It was founded between...
, Scotland
Scotland
Scotland is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. Occupying the northern third of the island of Great Britain, it shares a border with England to the south and is bounded by the North Sea to the east, the Atlantic Ocean to the north and west, and the North Channel and Irish Sea to the...
.
It is named after Andrew Melville
Andrew Melville
Andrew Melville was a Scottish scholar, theologian and religious reformer. His fame encouraged scholars from the European Continent to study at Glasgow and St Andrews.-Early life and early education:...
, a 16th-century Scottish scholar, theologian
Theology
Theology is the systematic and rational study of religion and its influences and of the nature of religious truths, or the learned profession acquired by completing specialized training in religious studies, usually at a university or school of divinity or seminary.-Definition:Augustine of Hippo...
and religious reformer who was a graduate of the University, and who later became its rector and dean of theology.
History
Designed in the New Brutalist style by the renowned architect James StirlingJames Stirling (architect)
Sir James Frazer Stirling FRIBA was a British architect. He is considered to be among the most important and influential British architects of the second half of the 20th century...
, Andrew Melville Hall was built during a major expansion of the University in the 1960s using prefabricated
Prefabrication
Prefabrication is the practice of assembling components of a structure in a factory or other manufacturing site, and transporting complete assemblies or sub-assemblies to the construction site where the structure is to be located...
concrete
Concrete
Concrete is a composite construction material, composed of cement and other cementitious materials such as fly ash and slag cement, aggregate , water and chemical admixtures.The word concrete comes from the Latin word...
modules. Errors in construction meant that extensive remedial work was required over several decades. Plans for further buildings to the same design were abandoned.
It is of a striking design and is situated prominently at the North Haugh on a ridge overlooking the St Andrews Links
St Andrews Links
St Andrews Links in the town of St Andrews, Fife, Scotland, is regarded as the "home of golf". It is one of the oldest courses in the world, where the game has been played since the 15th century...
. The hall resembles passing ships, a common theme of the architect's style. http://www.andrewmelvillehall.org.uk/index.php?section=42
It has become an important architectural landmark and has been ranked number 12 in the top 100 Scottish buildings of the last 50 years. Despite this, many students and townsfolk continue to regard it as an eyesore.
Present
During the academic year around 250 students (both male and female) live in Melville, the vast majority of these in single rooms. Every room looks out over surrounding parkland, inhabited by a large number of wild rabbits. The hall is divided into five blocks, designated A, B, C, D and E. Generally A, C and E blocks are mixed, with B block being all male and D block all female although in recent years A block has been all male in addition to B block.Each block is divided up into a number of floors
Storey
A storey or story is any level part of a building that could be used by people...
accessed through a central stairwell from the ground floor concourse
Concourse
A concourse is a place where pathways or roads meet, such as in a hotel, a convention center, a railway station, an airport terminal, a hall, or other space.-Examples:Examples of concourses include:* Meeting halls* Universities* Railway stations...
. Typically each floor consists of sixteen study-bedrooms arranged in two groups of eight on either side of the stairwell, a number of showers/bathrooms and a pantry. The buildings' striking geometry is reflected in the irregular octagonal shape of the bedrooms. Blocks A, D and E have glass
Glass
Glass is an amorphous solid material. Glasses are typically brittle and optically transparent.The most familiar type of glass, used for centuries in windows and drinking vessels, is soda-lime glass, composed of about 75% silica plus Na2O, CaO, and several minor additives...
enclosures similar in shape to a garden greenhouse
Greenhouse
A greenhouse is a building in which plants are grown. These structures range in size from small sheds to very large buildings...
atop them to provide natural light to their stairwells; this has led to the top floor of block A being called "the greenhouse".
The hall itself has three common rooms in the central block, as well as a library and study room off the main concourse in E block and similarly a computer and study room at the end of A block. It is a catered residence, with three meals a day being served other than on Saturday and Sunday, when students can prepare food for themselves in the three communal kitchens which are situated on the main concourse.
While the main access to the hall is from the North Haugh, the central block's staircase leads to a path to David Russell Apartments
David Russell Apartments
David Russell Apartments is a large residential complex owned by the University of St Andrews, its first phase being opened in September 2003. It replaces, and was built on the site of the now demolished David Russell Hall...
, the nearby Sports Centre and playing fields. In the summer vacation the residence is open for use by conferences and block bookings.
As all residences in the University of St Andrews, it has a number of staff and students that contribute to its running. Various groups contribute to the operation and maintenance of the hall. A warden's team is responsible for student welfare, discipline, and has oversight for community development. A student committee elected by the residents, headed by the senior student, is responsible for student matters. A residence management team is responsible for the day to day running of the residence, including catering, house services, and maintenance.
In Film
Andrew Melville Hall was used for location shooting of the film adaptationNever Let Me Go (2010 film)
Never Let Me Go is a 2010 British dystopian drama film based on Kazuo Ishiguro's 2005 novel of the same name. The film was directed by Mark Romanek from a screenplay by Alex Garland. Never Let Me Go is set in an alternate history and centers on Kathy, Ruth and Tommy who are portrayed by Carey...
of Kazuo Ishiguro
Kazuo Ishiguro
Kazuo Ishiguro OBE or ; born 8 November 1954) is a Japanese–English novelist. He was born in Nagasaki, Japan, and his family moved to England in 1960. Ishiguro obtained his Bachelor's degree from University of Kent in 1978 and his Master's from the University of East Anglia's creative writing...
’s novel, Never Let Me Go starring Keira Knightley
Keira Knightley
Keira Christina Knightley born 26 March 1985) is an English actress and model. She began acting as a child and came to international notice in 2002 after co-starring in the film Bend It Like Beckham...
.
Sources
- Kenneth FramptonKenneth FramptonKenneth Frampton , is a British architect, critic, historian and the Ware Professor of Architecture at the Graduate School of Architecture, Planning, and Preservation at Columbia University, New York....
, Andrew Melville Hall, Architectural DesignArchitectural DesignArchitectural Design, also known as AD, is a UK-based architectural journal first launched in 1930.In its early days it was more concerned with the British scene, but gradually became more international. It also moved away from presenting mostly news towards theme-based issues...
Magazine, Sept. 1970 - Andrew Melville Halls of Residence, Adrian Welch / Isabelle Lomholt, www.edinburgharchitecture.co.uk.
- St. Andrews Dormitory, The Architecture Week Great Buildings Collection.
External links
- Andrew Melville Hall, University of St Andrews Guide to Residences.
- Simon Henley’s Inspiration: James Stirling’s Andrew Melville Hall, Building Design, January 2009