Glass atrium would 'hurt' historic Adam Smith house

The historic former home of celebrated economist Adam Smith will be put up for sale if controversial plans for a modern extension are thrown out, a public inquiry has heard.

• If the extension to Panmure House, off Edinburgh's Canongate, is not approved, it will be sold

Plans to turn the A-listed Panmure House building in Edinburgh's Old Town into a new international study and conference centre for Heriot-Watt University will be unable to go ahead without a modern extension.

Designers of the 3 million venture, which would see a glass-boxed atrium created beside the little-known 17th century building, claim the extension will be a "modest" addition to the building, despite comparing it to the Apple Store on New York's Fifth Avenue.

Despite heritage experts insisting that only the interior should be altered, architects say it is in an unsafe condition and does not meet current fire safety and disability legislation.

They claim they have used official Historic Scotland guidelines on modern extensions, citing examples including the Usher Hall in Edinburgh, Eskmills in Musselburgh and Stanley Mills in Perthshire.

Yet the heritage agency claims the proposed extension to Panmure House would "harm" the building's special architectural interest as a rare survivor of a 17th century townhouse in the Old Town. Its objections led to the plans being called in.

The conversion plans - which have been supported by Smith enthusiasts and economists around the world - include a main lecture and reception room, as well as a home for an Adam Smith Library, including many of his own books, and a scholars' reading room.

The building was put up for sale by the city council three years ago and was sold for 800,000 to the university, though it was not the highest bidder, in order that Panmure House would be "saved for the nation".

But the hearing heard that university officials had made it clear that no alternative uses for the building were possible and that they were prepared to put it back on the market.

Ed Kelly, the architect who has drawn up the plans on behalf of the university's business school, told the public inquiry the extension would have a minimal effect on the look of the existing building as people would be able to see through the structure, which would be made of glass.

Mr Kelly added: "The extension would only add another 17 per cent on to the volume of the existing building, it would be modest in scale and I think it would be a positive addition.

"Adam Smith's connection to the building is the main reason it has been saved. What is left is only the remains of a 17th century townhouse, it has been completely gutted inside." Hugh Garratt, chartered surveyor on the project, admitted the original design brief for the university's project did not include a glass atrium, but insisted a requirement for extra space meant an extension was needed. He added: "We have tried to take a minimalist approach. I'm quite proud of the plans for the atrium. I don't think it would have an adverse impact at all."