Morris and Steedman
Encyclopedia
Morris and Steedman was an architecture
firm based in Edinburgh
, Scotland
. The firm was founded by James Shepherd Morris (1931–2006) and Robert Russell Steedman (born 1929) in the 1950s. The pair are best known for their private houses in the modernist style, built during the 1950s and 1960s, described as "arguably the most important series of 20th century houses by a single practice in Scotland". Both founders retired in 2002, although their practice continues as Morris and Steedman Associates.
Several of their buildings are now listed, and seven of their works were included on the list of 100 best modern Scottish buildings
published by Prospect magazine in 2005.
(ECA). Encouraged by their tutor, Ian McHarg
, the two went on to complete a Master of Liberal Arts course in landscape architecture
at the University of Pennsylvania
in Philadelphia. Here, under the guidance of Philip Johnson
, they absorbed the ideas of architects such as Ludwig Mies van der Rohe
, Marcel Breuer
, Richard Neutra
, and the "Case Study Houses
" of California. Both architects were elected associates of the Royal Institute of British Architects
(RIBA) in 1955; they joined in partnership, based in Edinburgh
in 1957.
(1957) was listed at category B in 2007, as "one of the first modern-movement houses to be built in Scotland". Their second house, at Kevock Road, Lasswade
, was built on a narrow site above the River North Esk
. The narrow site required the building to be cantilever
ed over the slope. The Sillito House on Blackford Hill
followed in 1959, with the main living space placed on the first floor to take advantage of views across Edinburgh. By 1970 around 15 houses had been completed, including Morris' own house at Fala
(1970), and Steedman's in Ravelston
(1960), as well as the Principal's House at the University of Stirling
(1967), which was listed at category A in 2009.
Their public buildings include the University of Edinburgh Student Centre
at Potterrow (1966), and a visitor centre for the Countryside Commission for Scotland (now Scottish Natural Heritage
) at Battleby
, Perthshire (1971). Their extension to the Princess Margaret Rose Hospital in Edinburgh (1966) was demolished after a fire in 2002.
Architecture
Architecture is both the process and product of planning, designing and construction. Architectural works, in the material form of buildings, are often perceived as cultural and political symbols and as works of art...
firm based in Edinburgh
Edinburgh
Edinburgh is the capital city of Scotland, the second largest city in Scotland, and the eighth most populous in the United Kingdom. The City of Edinburgh Council governs one of Scotland's 32 local government council areas. The council area includes urban Edinburgh and a rural area...
, 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...
. The firm was founded by James Shepherd Morris (1931–2006) and Robert Russell Steedman (born 1929) in the 1950s. The pair are best known for their private houses in the modernist style, built during the 1950s and 1960s, described as "arguably the most important series of 20th century houses by a single practice in Scotland". Both founders retired in 2002, although their practice continues as Morris and Steedman Associates.
Several of their buildings are now listed, and seven of their works were included on the list of 100 best modern Scottish buildings
Prospect 100 best modern Scottish buildings
In 2005, the Scottish architecture magazine Prospect published a list of the 100 best modern Scottish buildings, as voted for by its readers.-The list:...
published by Prospect magazine in 2005.
Architects
James Morris met Robert Steedman while the two were studying together at Edinburgh College of ArtEdinburgh College of Art
Edinburgh College of Art is an art school in Edinburgh, Scotland, providing tertiary education in art and design disciplines for over two thousand students....
(ECA). Encouraged by their tutor, Ian McHarg
Ian McHarg
Ian L. McHarg was born in Clydebank, Scotland and became a landscape architect and a renowned writer on regional planning using natural systems. He was the founder of the department of landscape architecture at the University of Pennsylvania in the United States. His 1969 book Design with Nature...
, the two went on to complete a Master of Liberal Arts course in landscape architecture
Landscape architecture
Landscape architecture is the design of outdoor and public spaces to achieve environmental, socio-behavioral, or aesthetic outcomes. It involves the systematic investigation of existing social, ecological, and geological conditions and processes in the landscape, and the design of interventions...
at the University of Pennsylvania
University of Pennsylvania
The University of Pennsylvania is a private, Ivy League university located in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, United States. Penn is the fourth-oldest institution of higher education in the United States,Penn is the fourth-oldest using the founding dates claimed by each institution...
in Philadelphia. Here, under the guidance of Philip Johnson
Philip Johnson
Philip Cortelyou Johnson was an influential American architect.In 1930, he founded the Department of Architecture and Design at the Museum of Modern Art in New York City, and later , as a trustee, he was awarded an American Institute of Architects Gold Medal and the first Pritzker Architecture...
, they absorbed the ideas of architects such as Ludwig Mies van der Rohe
Ludwig Mies van der Rohe
Ludwig Mies van der Rohe was a German architect. He is commonly referred to and addressed as Mies, his surname....
, Marcel Breuer
Marcel Breuer
Marcel Lajos Breuer , was a Hungarian-born modernist, architect and furniture designer of Jewish descent. One of the masters of Modernism, Breuer displayed interest in modular construction and simple forms.- Life and work :Known to his friends and associates as Lajkó, Breuer studied and taught at...
, Richard Neutra
Richard Neutra
Richard Joseph Neutra is considered one of modernism's most important architects.- Biography :Neutra was born in Leopoldstadt, the 2nd district of Vienna, Austria Hungary, on April 8, 1892. He was born into both-Jewish wealthy family...
, and the "Case Study Houses
Case Study Houses
The Case Study Houses were experiments in American residential architecture sponsored by Arts & Architecture magazine, which commissioned major architects of the day, including Richard Neutra, Raphael Soriano, Craig Ellwood, Charles and Ray Eames, Pierre Koenig and Eero Saarinen, to design and...
" of California. Both architects were elected associates of the Royal Institute of British Architects
Royal Institute of British Architects
The Royal Institute of British Architects is a professional body for architects primarily in the United Kingdom, but also internationally.-History:...
(RIBA) in 1955; they joined in partnership, based in Edinburgh
Edinburgh
Edinburgh is the capital city of Scotland, the second largest city in Scotland, and the eighth most populous in the United Kingdom. The City of Edinburgh Council governs one of Scotland's 32 local government council areas. The council area includes urban Edinburgh and a rural area...
in 1957.
Buildings
They obtained their first commission from Steedman's dentist in 1952, while still in their final year at ECA. The resulting house, "Avisfield", at CramondCramond
Cramond is a seaside village now part of suburban Edinburgh, Scotland, located in the north-west corner of the city at the mouth of the River Almond where it enters the Firth of Forth....
(1957) was listed at category B in 2007, as "one of the first modern-movement houses to be built in Scotland". Their second house, at Kevock Road, Lasswade
Lasswade
Lasswade is a civil parish and village in Midlothian, Scotland, on the River North Esk, nine miles south of Edinburgh city centre, between Dalkeith and Loanhead...
, was built on a narrow site above the River North Esk
River Esk, Lothian
The River Esk is a river which flows through Midlothian and East Lothian, Scotland.It initially runs as two separate rivers, the North Esk and the South Esk....
. The narrow site required the building to be cantilever
Cantilever
A cantilever is a beam anchored at only one end. The beam carries the load to the support where it is resisted by moment and shear stress. Cantilever construction allows for overhanging structures without external bracing. Cantilevers can also be constructed with trusses or slabs.This is in...
ed over the slope. The Sillito House on Blackford Hill
Blackford Hill
Blackford Hill is a hill in the south of the Scottish capital city of Edinburgh, in the area of Blackford, near Morningside, The Grange, and the Braid Hills....
followed in 1959, with the main living space placed on the first floor to take advantage of views across Edinburgh. By 1970 around 15 houses had been completed, including Morris' own house at Fala
Fala, Midlothian
Fala, is a parish and hamlet in the south-eastern corner of Midlothian, Scotland, and about 15 miles from Edinburgh.-Location:The parish is about five miles long from east to west, and one mile broad from north to south, and contains about...
(1970), and Steedman's in Ravelston
Ravelston
Ravelston is a suburb of Edinburgh, the capital of Scotland, to the south of Queensferry Road .The area is primarily made up of detached and semi-detached housing, as well as modern apartments and many bungalows...
(1960), as well as the Principal's House at the University of Stirling
University of Stirling
The University of Stirling is a campus university founded by Royal charter in 1967, on the Airthrey Estate in Stirling, Scotland.-History and campus development:...
(1967), which was listed at category A in 2009.
Their public buildings include the University of Edinburgh Student Centre
Potterrow Student Centre
The Potterrow Student Centre is owned by the University of Edinburgh and operated by the Edinburgh University Students' Association. It provides a variety of student entertainment and support services....
at Potterrow (1966), and a visitor centre for the Countryside Commission for Scotland (now Scottish Natural Heritage
Scottish Natural Heritage
Scottish Natural Heritage is a Scottish public body. It is responsible for Scotland's natural heritage, especially its natural, genetic and scenic diversity. It advises the Scottish Government and acts as a government agent in the delivery of conservation designations, i.e...
) at Battleby
Battleby
Battleby is a country house in Perth and Kinross, Scotland. It is located in the parish of Redgorton, west of Luncarty and north of Perth. The 19th-century house is occupied by Scottish Natural Heritage, and is protected as a category B listed building...
, Perthshire (1971). Their extension to the Princess Margaret Rose Hospital in Edinburgh (1966) was demolished after a fire in 2002.