Pharmacology And Physiology Building, Materia Medica, University Of Glasgow, University Avenue, Glasgow

James Miller, 1903-06; additions and alterations Gillespie, Kidd and Coia, 1949. Scots Renaissance university department building. 2-, 3- and 4-storey; asymmetrical plan. Squared, snecked Giffnock sandstone, polished ashlar dressings.

MATERIA MEDICA: E block: entrance block; free-standing gateway to lower level (see below), balustraded parapet to steps, architraved, strapwork pedimented entrance. Giant Ionic pilasters rising through 2 floors above with crowning balustraded parapet with sculpted panel; irregular fenestration, coped gable with date panel (1906) to left. Plain 2 x 4-bay E block advanced with blank N wall framed by Ionic pilasters. 10-bay W extension with large 4-light ground floor windows, tripartite above, parapet with raised dies; plain westernmost bays framed by Ionic pilasters 5-bay return with segmental gables.

PHYSIOLOGY BUILDING: low level entrance with strapwork pediment; regular 12-pane glazing in 7 windows above surmounted by balustrade; recessed section with short open colonnade surmounted by balustrade; advanced, single storey section to W with windows framed by pilasters, upper floors set back with segmental crenellations; short low battlemented section with later roof. W elevation: crow-stepped gable flanked by pepper-pot turrets, gable geometric window lower W building surmounted by aediculed cupola; polygonal turret. Rear elevation to S: curving section at SW: giant aediculed window: 4-storey, 8-bay section with giant Ionic pilasters rising through 3rd and 4th floors, regular window arrangement recessed, plain 4-bay section; 2-bay advanced coped gable section with oriel at 4th floor.

2-, 4- and 6-light sash and case windows with stone mullions and transoms and glazing bars. Grey-blue Westmoreland slate roofs.

INTERIOR: (public spaces seen 2010). Panelled timber dado to corridors and stair hall; granolithic floor; cast and wrought iron balusters to stairs; brass handles to 2-leaf panelled and architraved laboratory doors; ceilings lowered in many areas; plain moulded plaster cornices where original ceilings visible.

ENTRANCE GATEWAY: Doric-columned pedestrian gateway with strapwork pediment and urn finials to N.