Pollock Halls Of Residence Phases I And Ii: South Hall (Formerly Blocks A)

Pollock Halls of Residence Phases I and II: South Hall (Formerly Blocks A)

A Classical Modernist university halls of residence and refectory group designed by Rowand Anderson, Kininmonth and Paul between 1956 and 1964, with William Kininmonth as principal architect and Alex McIver as executive architect. Blyth and Blyth served as structural engineers, and Thomas Whalen as sculptor. The complex is set in a courtyard layout comprising two U-plan blocks arranged symmetrically on a north-south axis (Blocks B and D), each terminated by four square-plan towers with concrete lanterns at the ends. A central refectory block sits to the south with an attenuated arcade to the north. Attached blocks (A and C) positioned to the northeast and northwest of the refectory create an inner courtyard. The Swedish-style design employs hybrid construction combining reinforced concrete with load-bearing brick and stone. Rough-hewn red sandstone features on the refectory walls, staircase walls of the accommodation blocks and other detailing. Other walls are harled brickwork with concrete columns, lintels, cills and lantern finials. Low-pitched roofs are of light-gauge copper.

South Hall is a double-height, rectangular-plan refectory block oriented on an east-west axis with two-storey wings to the east and west. The north (courtyard) elevation is fully glazed in metal frames set behind a full-height shell-arched, nine-bay arcade supported on slender columns. The south elevation features oculus windows to the upper level. The east and west wings contain glazed doors and full-height windows in wooden sub-frames divided by fascias to the north, with a projecting ground floor and terrace above to the south. A covered walkway links the refectory to the eastern accommodation block. The main entrance foyer is located in the attached block (Block A) to the west. A single-storey kitchen block and boiler house are attached to the south, with a detached two-storey staff block positioned to the southwest.

The interior contains wide glazed entrances to the east and west of the refectory, with the eastern entrance stepped. A cantilevered gallery and dog-leg stairs with decorative metal railings occupy the western side. Walls are finished in rough-hewn red sandstone and transverse plaster vaults. Hardwood doors open to the kitchen to the south. A spiral stair to the western mezzanine contains a small common room, whilst the eastern mezzanine contains a small library and flying stairs. The wings contain corridors linking the refectory to the outer blocks (B and D).

Holland House (Blocks A and C) comprises two three-storey rectangular-plan accommodation blocks attached to the east and west of the refectory. Ground floor rooms project onto the courtyard elevations. The courtyard elevations display full-height windows to ground floors with regularly placed two-pane windows to the first and second floors. Outer elevations feature projecting ground floor windows, a terrace to the first floor, and a pair of double-height façade recessions containing balconies. End elevations contain double-height stair windows. The western block (Block A) houses the main entrance foyer, a large common room and smaller meeting rooms. The main common room features a notable fireplace with a sculptural panel over a large open fireplace set in a red sandstone rubble wall. The eastern block (Block C) formerly contained a common room on the ground floor, now a computer lab as of 2004. Bed-study rooms are arranged about a central corridor on the first and second floors.

Holland House (Blocks B and D) comprises two three-storey C-plan blocks terminated by taller lantern towers with balconies. Loggias face the courtyard elevations whilst projecting staircase walls face the outer elevations. The western loggia (Block B) features an open walkway and elliptical arches on round columns. The eastern loggia (Block D) has columns and lintels glazed-in. Bed-study rooms, wardens' accommodation and service rooms are arranged around a central corridor on upper floors and along a corridor behind the loggia on the ground floor.