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Summary

Description

Robert Morham, 1893; refurbished 1992. 7-bay symmetrical Italianate villa-style public baths with 8th bay machinery entrance to outer right. 2 storey 3-bay main block with Tuscan portico and flanking single storey 2-bay wings; pool and changing area behind. Coursed pink sandstone; some ashlar dressings. Windows with moulded cills.

N (ENTRANCE) ELEVATION: base-course. Doric distyle portico at centre with DALRY PUBLIC BATHS carved in frieze; 2-leaf door with multi-pane semi-circular fanlight above deeply set in moulded surround. Round-headed ground floor windows flanking centre and to pavilion bays with chamfered arrises; moulded impost course (window to immediate left of entrance converted to doorway for ramped access). Wings with cornice and parapet with dies. Central block with band course dividing floors; 3 round-headed bipartite windows to 1st floor with moulded ashlar arches and transoms; moulded band course at springing level returning on side elevations to first oculus. Dentilled cornice at eaves.

Outer right bay slightly recessed and lower, comprising full width semi-circular arch enclosing 2-leaf garage door; paired round-headed windows above with moulded ashlar dressings, cill course and cornice continuing from main elevation; no parapet.

E AND W ELEVATIONS OF CENTRAL BLOCK: cornice continues as above at 1st floor with oculi flanking ridge of wings.

Timber casement multi-pane windows and round-arched top-hoppers throughout. Piend and platform roof; corniced ashlar wallhead stacks with octagonal cans to 2-storey block. Grey slates. Cast-iron downpipes and moulded eaves gutters.

BOUNDARY WALL AND RAILINGS: low wall at front with saddleback coping and railings, raised for ramped access to left of main entrance.

INTERIOR: entrance hall and stair arcaded and tiled. Baths to rear galleried with some arcading, altered 1992 to include changing facilities; top lit by open timber A-frame roof, supported, along with galleries, by cast-iron columns. Reception area enlarged 1992.

Statement of Special Interest

Dalry Public Baths is an important example of a later 19th century public baths, designed in a fine Italianate classical style and incorporating the latest technology for this public convenience. The symmetrical principal elevation has fine stonework detailing and includes a prominent classical columned portico. The building is a significant addition to its immediate tenemented streetscape.

Swimming clubs and bath houses were established in Scotland from the 1850s following the enactment of the 1846 Act to Encourage the Establishment of Public Baths and Wash-houses, which was established to improve general public health with access for all classes of citizen. With the rapid expansion of urban population, often living and working in unsanitary conditions, bath and wash houses were seen as essential public services. The Act, which affected the entirety of Britain, encouraged local authorities to open up these facilities in areas of dense population. While men and women did not mix at these facilities, women would have had their own separate entrance, however they would have to attend at certain times when the male pools were not in use. It would not be until the 1870s when separate ladies pools were being considered in bath and wash house design. These bath and wash houses soon started to cater for recreational swimming rather than washing and became a hugely popular social past time during the 20th century.

William Harley was the first to offer indoor baths in Glasgow, at Willowbank in 1804. Swimming became widely popular as a sport during the late 19th century as more residences in the UK gained access to mains water supply and could therefore wash and bath at home.

Robert Morham was an Edinburgh architect, first articled to David Rhind remaining with him for five years before transferring to the office of David Bryce (circa 1859). About 1862 he moved to London to widen his experience and spent four years with William Eden Nesfield, although there is little sign of his influence in his architecture. In 1866 he returned to Edinburgh as principal assistant to David Cousin and was briefly his partner until Cousin's retirement in 1873. He then succeeded Cousin as City Superintendent of Works.

Refurbished (1992).

List description updated as part of the sporting buildings thematic listing survey (2012-13).

References

Bibliography

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