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How Granite Made a City |
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However, granite did not just provide financial wealth to the area. Architects saw the natural beauty of the stone and started to make plans for some of the world's most prized stone buildings. Two architects in particular, took up the challenge of creating outstanding monuments to the Victorian age.
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John Smith, son of a builder, served his apprenticeship in the family business before learning his future trade in London.
In 1807 he was given responsibility for public works in the City of Aberdeen, before establishing his own private practice. Smith, along with partner, Archibald Simpson, started off by constructing housing in King Street - where he later lived himself - but his most prized work is considered to be the current Aberdeen Arts Centre, contained within the former North Church. The outstanding Trinity Hall and impressive entrance to St. Nicholas's Churchyard are other fine examples of his vision.
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Simpson, similarly London-trained but latterly a scholar of Italy, also established his own private architectural practice in the city at Bon Accord Square in 1813. Simpson went on to become great rivals with Smith in shaping the city centre. Moving on from the joint project in King Street, Simpson was responsible for much of Union Street, including the city's famous Music Hall. Simpson also shaped several churches, including St. Andrew's Episcopal Cathedral, as well as the Old Royal Infirmary and other noted buildings throughout Aberdeenshire.
The finest example of granite architecture has to be Marischal College, the second-largest granite structure in the world, after the Escorial Palace near Madrid. As Aberdeen's second university, it was founded in 1593 by the 4th Earl Marischal as the protestant alternative to King's College - although the two later combined to become the University of Aberdeen.
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Following the demolition of William Adam's earlier buildings, Archibald Simpson conducted the real shaping work between 1836 and 1844. From then until 1906, the building was extended to its current size - including the Gothic-style main tower, which stands at 279 feet - and a detailed granite facade completed the stunning makeover.
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