School Of Oriental And African Studies (University Of London)

The School of Oriental and African Studies, part of the University of London, is a university building constructed around 1939 to 1945 by architect Charles Holden. It is made of brown brick with Portland stone dressings and consists of five storeys, including basements, with the fourth floor set back. The main south front features 17 windows and a curved corner bay with five windows at the eastern end. There is a single-storey, two-window projection at the east end. The central entrance has a plain stone surround and a plaque displaying the name of the school above it. The building has flush frame metal windows with horizontally set panes. A stone band and sill string runs at the first-floor level, which is mirrored by the stone dressing of the parapet above the third floor. A cartouche displaying the coat of arms is located centrally at the second-floor level. The lead rainwater heads and pipes are dated 1940. The interior has not been inspected.