Great Hall Of The University Of Reading

The Great Hall of the University of Reading is a university building dated 1905, designed by C Ravenscroft and CS Smith. It is constructed of red brick with orange brick window dressings and Portland stone for all other dressings. The roof is plain tiled and features four pediment-gabled dormers on each side, along with parapet-gables at each end that contain keyed oculi. These gables are flanked by towers with rusticated corner piers, arched intradoses, cornices, and squared stone cupolas.

At the north end, there is a very large Venetian window with a stone surround and a prominent keystone. Below this window is a datestone that reads: "THIS STONE WAS LAID/BY THE RIGHT HONOURABLE/VISCOUNT GOSCHEN DCL FRS/CHANCELLOR/OF THE UNIVERSITY OF OXFORD/VII JUNE MCMV." The side front is divided into six bays by brick buttresses that rise to pedimented weatherings over brick panels. These buttresses continue as shallower pilaster-buttresses after the main wing, featuring volute brackets to a stone cornice that carries a parapet ramped up to pedestals with lunette motifs.

Between the buttresses are paired arched windows with stone impost blocks and keystones, gauged heads, and very tall sash windows with glazing bars. The north ends of both sides have entrances with panelled doors topped by overlights with stained glass, and stone surrounds that include double orders of Doric pilasters, triglyph friezes, and half-open triangular pediments above. Inside, the hall features a barrel vaulted ceiling with Neo-Georgian plaster decoration. The University of Reading was originally established as an Extension College of the University of Oxford and received its charter as a university in 1927.