Newton Building At Nottingham Trent University

The Newton Building at Nottingham Trent University is a university building, originally part of Trent Polytechnic, designed by Cecil Howitt in 1952 and constructed between 1956 and 1958. It features a Portland Stone facade that is expressed through the alignment of both vertical and horizontal joints, and has flat roofs. The building is a low block with a polygonal plan that includes an entrance and workshops, topped by an eight-storey slab that is positioned at right angles to the street.

The design reflects a stripped classical style, with the entrance block presenting a symmetrical composition that includes a projecting center flanked by fluted pilasters in antis. There are vertical windows on either side, each with a projecting metal grill, and a five-light window in the flanking ranges. The slightly recessed glazed attic storey is also notable. The slab is set back from the street facade and features a moulded vertical window on the end elevation. Each broad flank has a panel of vertical strip windows, which are complemented by projecting masonry pilasters and narrow horizontal windows on either side. The building includes delicate metal framed single-glazed windows with margin glazing.

Inside, the building retains a matching original staircase. The Newton Building is a significant example of Cecil Howitt's later work, showcasing the Modernist concept of "slab and podium" interpreted in a classical manner.