The Laverton Institute

The Laverton Institute, dated 1873 and designed by W.J. Stent of Warminster, is an Italianate Gothic building constructed in a palazzo style. It is two storeys high and comprises seven bays, with a recessed bay to the right. The building is of red brick with Bath stone dressings, featuring a moulded plinth, a string over the ground floor, a frieze, a modillion and bracket cornice to the eaves. The frieze exhibits iron scrollwork decoration, though much of this is now missing. A tiled roof with a crested ridge tops the structure. Square section cast iron rainwater pipes are positioned on the sides, complemented by large hoppers. The windows are plate glass sashes; lancets occupy the first floor, coupled in the centre and featuring sandstone colonettes with caps and hood moulds. A balcony below the central window is supported by stone brackets and includes an ornamental guard railing inscribed "Erected by A. Laverton Esqre J.P. - 1878." Ground floor windows possess shouldered lintels with pointed arches, crocket capitals, and sandstone nook shafts. The tympana of these windows feature incised decoration; the inner window to the left displays capitals with curved pelican motifs and a monogram "A.L.", while the inner window to the right displays the date 1873. The central doorway is situated beneath a projecting Bath stone canopy supported by squat grey stone columns with florid leaf capitals. A lean-to canopy is broken by a gable with a Tudor rose cornice. A pointed archway, constructed with alternating grey and Bath stone voussoirs, is adorned with a key featuring a Pelican crest. Double doors with shaped glazed panels are recessed within the archway. A memorial stone sits above the plinth to the left. A similar extension exists to the right, incorporating a second doorway framed by a pointed arch and polychrome voussoirs. An ornamental belfry is located on the return, featuring a wrought iron canopy and decoration. Painted glass windows are present on the left hand return. The building was erected in 1878, as indicated by the inscription.