University of Bristol, Physics Building

The Physics Building at the University of Bristol is a university department constructed in 1929 by Sir George Oatley. It features a limestone ashlar exterior and a slate mansard roof, designed in the Tudor Gothic Revival style with Baroque details. The building has an L-shaped double-depth plan and includes a prominent five-storey tower with a three-window range, flanked by two-storey and attic wings that have eight bays to the north and four bays to the west.

The large square tower is characterized by massive plain ashlar clasping buttresses and octagonal turrets at the top storey, topped with ogee-headed broach finials. The central entrance boasts a tall porch supported by fluted Doric columns, with an entablature and cornice, leading to a semicircular-arched doorway with a two-leaf door. Above this, square giant mullions separate the windows, which are adorned with a transom cornice featuring carved heads at the third floor, a cornice with carved animals, and twisted attached finials on the stepped crenellated parapet. The windows are three-light mullion and transom types, separated by blind panels, with upper windows showcasing Tudor-arched heads and sinuous tracery.

The wings of the building are defined by giant square fluted Ionic columns on pedestals, supporting a cornice that breaks over the capitals and large fluted inverted consoles leading to a tall blind attic with moulded coping and large patera. The full-height mullion and transom windows include copper suns between the floors, and there is a Tudor-arched doorway with panelled jambs and lintel.

Inside, the entrance hall features a large open-well stair leading to the tower, with steel stick balusters.