Former School Of Naval Architecture (Building Number 1/22)

The former School of Naval Architecture, now offices, was built between 1815 and 1817. It is located on South Terrace within the HM Naval Base, Portsmouth, and was designed by Edward Holl, the architect to the Navy Board. The building is constructed of yellow brick in Flemish bond, with limestone dressings, and has a hipped slate roof with tall brick stacks.

The exterior is two storeys high, with a cellar below. It has 15 bays arranged as 2:5:3:5:2, with the ends and centre projecting, the central section being topped with a pediment. The building features an ashlar plinth, a first-floor band, a cornice, and a blocking course. Most windows are 12-pane sashes with horns; projecting sills, and flat brick arches. The ground floors of the projecting sections have round-arched windows in round-arched recesses, linked by impost bands. The central section’s first-floor windows are also recessed with flat arches, moulded sills and balustraded apron panels. A central flight of steps leads to a Tuscan portico with pilasters, an entablature and blocking course. The entrance has paired 6-panel doors with overlights, beneath an overall fanlight with radial glazing bars, all within a round-arched surround. A low-level addition is on the left side of the porch. The rear elevation is similar, but with 4-bay end sections and parts masked by 20th-century additions. The right return has 4 bays, with the centre two projecting, and a single ground floor window. The left return is similar, with the centre projection housing two ground floor windows, a window above, and a window and door to the right return. Ground floor windows have sashes with glazing bars, with a radial pattern to the heads, with the outer windows recessed in round arches.

The interior retains some panelled window and door reveals and shutters, door architraves, ceiling cornices (at the west end) and fireplaces. A significant feature is the fine central Imperial staircase, with wave-moulded brackets, an open string, stick balusters, a moulded handrail, and a spiral curtail. A secondary dog-leg staircase is located at the west end, with an open string, stick balusters, bulbous columnar newels, and a moulded handrail.

Originally, the building provided classrooms and accommodation for up to 25 apprentice shipwrights. Established in 1811, the school’s graduates went on to hold senior technical posts within the navy and beyond. The selection of an Academy design for HMS Warrior in 1860 confirmed the institution’s standing.