Students get hands-on in hall restoration

Students are working alongside experts at the highest reaches of McEwan Hall to help restore the building to its former glory.

The Architectural Conservation students have been given the unique opportunity to work with specialist conservators to clean and renovate the painted frescos that decorate the walls and ceilings of the iconic building.

The student internship initiative is part of a refurbishment project led by Interserve Construction to renovate the University’s historic graduation venue and make it more accessible.

It’s brilliant to get a hands-on experience of things that we are learning in class.

Historic hall

Built in Italian Renaissance style, McEwan Hall was completed in 1897.

The vivid murals painted throughout the Hall’s interior are the work of artist William Mainwaring Palin.

The central piece of art is a large painted work known as The Temple of Fame depicting a number of philosophers and former students.

Studying architectural conservation

The University’s Architectural Conservation programme is the longest-established graduate historic preservation programme in the UK.

The programme aims to provide students with the knowledge and skills necessary to embark on a career in historic preservation.

Students on the Edinburgh College of Art course benefit from learning on the University’s historic campus – located in Edinburgh’s World Heritage Site. They also have the opportunity to engage with exhibitions and events associated with the art college.

May 2016