Bryn Afon (Centre for Social Policy Research and Development)

Bryn Afon, formerly known as the Centre for Social Policy Research and Development, is a building that showcases an eccentric mixture of architectural styles, primarily Old English and Gothic Revival. It is constructed from Ruabon brick and features terracotta ornamentation, along with a tiled roof that has cresting, finials, and wide bracketed eaves. The building has a totally irregular plan form and was once adorned with twin chimney stacks connected by an arched bridge, as seen in old photographs.

The main facade, which faces east, consists of four bays. The left bay is set forward, gabled, and diagonally positioned at the corner with splayed angles. The right bay features a broad bow with a window on the ground floor and a verandah above, which has double cusped arching and an ogee balustrade, separated by a terracotta band. The first floor displays decorative applied timberwork, while the gable on the left has corbelled corners beneath the eaves and ornamental bargeboards. The windows are small pane casements. To the left of the bow, there is a lean-to verandah with a depressed ogee arch, covered with a largely fishscale tiled roof and supported by timber uprights. The entrance includes a multipanelled main door, half-glazed inner doors, and a stained glass overlight. The right side of the building has three bays, with the end bays advanced. The left end bay features a projecting, taller first-floor window that rises to a jettied gable, while the ground floor has a three-light transomed window flanked by ogee niches and mermaid figures at the corners. The advanced gabled bay on the right mirrors the one on the front. An octagonal attic rises at the center, and the rear displays much applied timberwork along with a gabled attic on the left.

Inside, the building continues its eclectic theme with numerous irregularly shaped rooms, most of which have pointed (some acutely) arched recesses, including in the landings. A Gothic dog-leg staircase features turned balusters, a quatrefoil banded string, and octagonal newels. The pointed arch at the end of the hallway has foliage stops, and both this area and the conference room retain ceiling roses.