Ayr Academy, Fort Street, Ayr

Ayr Academy is a substantial educational building located on Fort Street in Ayr. The main block was designed by Clarke and Bell in 1880, with later additions by James A Morris comprising infant classrooms in 1895 and a science and art department in 1907. The main building underwent internal reconstruction in 1911–12, and a memorial hall designed by William Reid was added in 1939.

The main block is a two-storey structure of thirteen bays, executed in Ravenscraig sandstone. The design features an advanced central pedimented entrance with asymmetrical recessed wings to the outer left and right. The stonework is channelled at ground floor level and at the corner angles of the outer bays at first floor. A base course, dividing band course, first floor cill course, cornice and blocking course (with corner dies to parapets at the outer bays) provide horizontal definition. Pilasters divide the first floor openings; those flanking the central pedimented entrance are of Corinthian order. The outer bays feature consoled cornices and aprons to their first floor windows.

The south-east entrance elevation presents thirteen bays grouped as 1–4–3–4–1, with asymmetrical recessed wings. The central entrance comprises a square-headed opening with a consoled cornice above, a patera frieze, a two-leaf timber door, and flanking multi-paned windows. Above are three single windows at first floor, surmounted by roundel busts, all crowned with a dentilled pediment. The four bays flanking this central section display regular fenestration at both floors. The recessed outer bays feature square-headed timber doors and multi-paned fanlights at ground floor, with regular fenestration above. The advanced outer bays contain tripartite pilastered windows at ground floor and regular fenestration at first floor.

The south-west side elevation comprises seven bays grouped as 2–5. The outer left section (a later addition) has regular fenestration with single and bipartite openings, though only two windows are present at ground floor. The main block section to the right displays regular fenestration at both floors and includes a flat-roofed skylight. The five-bay wing features a bipartite window to the left and three windows to the right on an advanced section. A recessed entrance bay to the right contains a two-leaf timber glazed door to an entrance porch, above which are three single windows graded in size.

The south-east elevation facing the U-plan courtyard includes a single window to a bay near-parallel with the main block and a blank gable elevation to the right. A recessed courtyard bay contains three single windows at ground and first floor levels. Narrow strip windows are positioned at ground and first floor to a bowed corner angle. A six-bay re-entrant angle to the right is grouped as 1–4–1; the five bays to the left have single windows at ground and first floor with cornices at first floor and an advanced bay to the outer left, excepting an entrance to the third bay. This entrance is square-headed with a corniced surround, two-leaf timber door, and pyramidal finials surmounted by ball finials, with a smaller window above. The recessed outer right bay contains paired openings. A five-bay re-entrant angle to the left is grouped as 3–2, with regular fenestration to the three bays of the main block comprising single and bipartite windows at ground and first floor (with cornices to first floor windows and an additional small window at ground to the outer left). Paired small windows occupy the two bays to the right, excluding the ground floor bay at the outer right. An advanced corniced square-headed doorpiece with glazed timber doors completes this section.

Windows throughout the building employ a variety of glazing patterns, including 4-, 6-, 9-, 10-, and 15-pane timber sash and case windows. The roof is covered in grey slate with coped stacks and circular cans.

The interior features a central hall, science and art department, and memorial hall. The central hall, reconstructed in 1911–12, is a double-height space with a gallery arcade, timber floor, timber rostrum, pulvinated frieze, decorative tilework, rooflights, and display commemoration boards. The Science and Art Department contains outstanding detailing including timber panelled doors, dado panelling to the art rooms, timber fixtures, and a master's observation point. The memorial hall of 1939 features timber panelling, pilaster framing, and a square-headed proscenium, which underwent later alterations.

The boundary is defined by three pairs of square-plan gatepiers to the entrance elevation, topped by two-leaf iron gates. Spear-headed railings surmount a coped boundary wall. Within the site are situated a janitor's lodge and further classrooms.