Agricultural Sciences Building, University Of Leeds, And Attached Railings

LEEDS

SE2934NW UNIVERSITY ROAD, University Campus 714-1/71/1174 (North side) Agricultural Sciences building, University of Leeds, and attached railings

II

University agricultural sciences building with walling, gate piers and railings to front. 1923. By Paul Waterhouse. Steel frame, red brick, stone details, slate roof, cast-iron railings, ashlar gate piers. 2 storeys with basement and attic storeys, 5 bays, the outer bays break forward slightly; 3:4:1:4:3 windows. Centre bay: steps with low flanking walls to double board door in Tuscan surround with entablature and cornice, corner pilasters rise to a broken pediment at eaves level; pavilion roof with circular dormer above. Pilasters and pavilion roofs to outer bays, cornice overall and flat roofed dormers to attic storey; added glazed range above. Fenestration: full, height small-paned windows with pivoted opening lights throughout, raised panels between ground and 1st floors. INTERIOR: the entrance lobby and stair hall are lined out with bright green tiles; staircase with geometric balustrade and ramped wooden handrail. SUBSIDIARY FEATURES: railings: X-motif to rails on the ridge cresting and front wall which is approx 50m long. Pair of gate piers to left: square section, approx 2.5m tall, cornice and shallow pyramid caps. HISTORICAL NOTE: in 1913 the Board of Agriculture agreed to match a donation of »10,000 from Walter Morrison for a new Agriculture building; In 1915 a moratorium was placed on the Ministry expenditure and after WWI the cost had almost doubled. By 1922 plans were agreed for this building and the site moved from Woodhouse Lane to University Road. (MW Beresford, in Gosden and Taylor 1975, p.157) (Studies in the History of a University: 1975-: 157).

Listing NGR: SE2923734706