Chambers Institution, High Street, Peebles

Chambers Institution, High Street, Peebles

A large and substantial civic institution built in two main phases. The original building was designed by John Paris and constructed from 1857 to 1859, with extensive remodelling undertaken at the same time. A rear hall was added, and an eastern extension designed by George Washington Browne was completed in 1911. The complex incorporates fragments of late 16th and early 17th century fabric within its later construction. The building comprises a complex of 3 and 2-storey ranges with a large frontage to High Street and a quadrangle arrangement with a hall to the rear.

The main external walls are constructed of cream harl with Caen sandstone dressings throughout. Window and door openings feature chamfered reveals with ashlar mullions and transoms.

The northern elevation facing High Street forms the principal facade and is asymmetrical in composition. It consists of a 6-bay design with a 5-bay extension of 1911 to the east. The leftmost bay projects as a gabled element with single windows. The next bay is recessed and contains at ground floor a 5-light transomed window with a stepped blocking course, with single windows above. The second floor window here breaks the eaves line within a gabled dormer-head featuring a blank panel. The three central bays are treated with regular fenestration, with second floor windows similarly breaking the eaves as dormers. At ground floor, a broad segmental-arched pend opening with hood moulding is flanked to the left by a hood-moulded window and to the right by a single storey bay window containing a tripartite transom window with stepped blocking course. Three timber dormers are positioned across this section. A corbelled corner turret with fishscale slating to the roof stands at the outer right. The outer right bay is a square projecting tower containing single windows and finished with an ogival roof above stone bracketed eaves. The 1911 eastern extension contains shops at ground floor, with the first floor featuring bipartite transomed windows divided by shallow stone buttresses. A crenellated parapet with empty stone niches runs across this section, with mock canon spouts and a small bartizan positioned at the outer right. The second floor of this extension is recessed and blank.

The southern rear elevation comprises two bays advanced to the right, with a chamfered corner detail surmounted by a small turret. The fenestration is irregular. A segmental-arched pend opening with a doorway within is hood-moulded and bears the inscription "Chambers Institution" above.

The eastern courtyard elevation presents a single storey and attic treatment. A tall central grooved crowstepped wallhead stack rises prominently. To the outer right is a small single storey bay window. Two large single storey projecting bays with tall parapets contain 4-light transomed windows. Two carved panels are set within the wall, and seven slanting attic windows with arched heads pierce the upper section.

The hall to the south of the courtyard presents a 5-bay elevation. An elaborate projecting ashlar entrance is positioned at the outer right, featuring a roll-moulded doorway surmounted by an extensively carved foliate and armorial panel. A 5-sided turret with a swept pyramidal roof is set within the re-entrant angle created with the eastern range above. The ground floor of the hall is now obscured by a single storey timber lean-to addition, formerly an open loggia. Above this are four tall segmental-arched keystoned windows. The gable elevations of the hall are notable for large semi-circular windows with scrolled hood moulds and radial astragals.

A war memorial stands in the western courtyard area (listed separately).

Windows throughout are timber sash and case construction, predominantly with 2-pane upper sashes and 4-pane lower sashes, though some retain 12-pane glazing and leaded lights. The roofs are laid in slate with metal flashings and are finished with moulded gutterheads.

The interior contains significant features of architectural and historical interest. A picture gallery is fitted with a coved, ribbed ceiling incorporating a central skylight. A long gallery is housed within the roof space with a braced and panelled roof structure. This gallery displays a 62-foot cast of the Elgin Marbles as well as a complete facsimile of the "Triumph of Alexander" frieze, executed by the Danish sculptor Bertel Thorvaldsen (1770-1844). A further galleried exhibition room with timber panelling completes the interior arrangements.