Bronte School And Attached Conservatory

Bronte School and the attached conservatory is a house that was later used as a school, built in 1875 and designed by I C Johnson, who claimed to be the first developer of Portland cement. This Italianate villa is constructed of concrete and has been colourwashed, featuring a slate roof and end concrete chimneystacks. The building has three storeys and five windows, with sashes that do not have glazing bars. It has a double pile plan, end quoins, and a rusticated ground floor with a platband. The central bay projects outward, and the second floor windows have cambered heads and moulded architraves. The first floor windows also have moulded architraves and cornices supported by brackets. The central entrance portico is round-headed, featuring impost blocks and a cornice with scroll brackets. The doorcase, which is accessed by five steps, includes a round-headed fanlight and double doors with tall reeded panels on each half. Attached to the north side is a contemporary concrete conservatory that has six marginal glazed sashes with red and yellow stained glass, separated by pilasters, and a roof now covered in corrugated asbestos sheeting. This building is an early example of concrete residential architecture and is linked to the local industrial heritage.