University Of Hull Derwent Building

The Derwent Building, part of the University of Hull, is a library built between 1909 and 1913, with additions made in the mid-20th century. It was originally the College of Education, and designed by Crouch, Butler & Savage. The building is constructed of brick with ashlar dressings and has hipped slate roofs topped with four ridge stacks.

The design features a central block with two windows, flanked by wings each with five windows. The slightly projecting central section has quoins, a dentillated cornice, a pediment, a balustrade, and a square clock turret with a weather vane. A central round-arched cross mullioned window is accentuated by a double keystone and flanking pilasters; smaller, flat-headed cross mullioned windows are positioned on either side. Below the central window, a recessed porch supports two Doric columns in antis, flanked by canted bay windows with three-light cross casements and latticework balconies. The side wings are characterized by quoins and panelled parapets. The building has five 20-pane sashes on the upper level, and five 24-pane sashes below, all within round-arched recesses and featuring double keystones.

The right return showcases a projecting end bay with an arched parapet. A round-arched recess contains a 15-pane sash with an elongated keystone, while a smaller round-arched window sits below. To the left of this recess stands a coped screen wall, incorporating a round-arched doorway with a keystone and a square banded gatepier. To the right is a nine-window range, with three centrally positioned through-eaves dormers featuring 20-pane sashes and segmental pediments. The left return is simpler, with a projecting end bay and seven first-floor windows, including a larger segment-headed cross casement on the right.

The interior features a two-story central hall with wood-panelled walls below a sill band, and a five-bay segmental vault with flat-ceilinged end bays, enhanced by richly decorated ribs. The tympana contain heavily ornamented oval ventilators. A dentillated cornice and frieze add detail. Projecting central bays at each end incorporate double doorways with fanlights, and above, a glazing-bar window flanked by panelled pilasters with volutes. The south side has seven round-arched openings with fanlights and seven glazing-bar windows above, separated by pilasters. The north side contains a central doorway and five round-arched glazing-bar windows above, flanked by similar flat-headed windows. Fitted wooden bookcases with cornices are also present.