Andrew Melville Hall to Undergo Facelift

The University has applied for planning permission to undertake repairs to Andrew Melville Hall.

Documents submitted to Fife Council outlined the University’s intentions to repair the hall’s roof, windows, and concrete exterior during summer sessions over four years, from 2023 to 2026. A hall of residence housing 275 students, Melville was built in 1967 in the New Brutalist style, and has been widely recognised for its architectural importance, being listed Category A in 2011.

According to Historic Environment Scotland, the hall is “one of the most significant post-war buildings in Scotland and has been recognised internationally as a key formative work by the influential 20th century British architect James Stirling”. A supporting statement written on the University’s behalf by architecture firm Avison Young explained the need for the repairs. “The flat roof over the concourse has been leaking for a considerable period of time, caused in part by long term exposure but also by the design,” the statement read.

The firm stressed also how the repairs would respect the building’s architectural style. “The concrete repairs proposed will exactly repair and replicate the original concrete panel design and are necessary because years of exposure have lead the reinforecment [sic] bars to corrode resulting in spalls, expansion and breakage of the panels”. The statement went on, “The existing windows [...] will be replaced with sympathetic units, built to replicate the look and feel of the originals, but offering better thermal and weather protective performance”. The plans indicate no change in the number of students housed within the hall.

Photo: Maggie Zhu