Pantycelyn, Aberystwyth University

Pantycelyn is a Neo-Georgian building, constructed in the 20th century, serving as part of Aberystwyth University. The design is broadly symmetrical, composed of two H-plan blocks, each with 3-9-3 bays, framing a recessed central block of 7 bays. Construction began in the 1950s (as indicated by rainwater goods on the northern block), followed by the central section and southern block in the 1960s. The exterior is faced with small blocks of rock-faced Forest of Dean stone set on a moulded plinth, and features steep, silver-grey slate roofs behind plain parapets.

The northern block is two stories high, with the ground-floor principal rooms accentuated by tall, 40-pane sash windows; the upper floor has 20-pane sashes. The main entrance is located in the northern wing, centered within a symmetrical façade of 7 bays. It features a broad, segmentally arched entrance with a radial fanlight, an inset architrave, paired panelled doors, and flanking hexagonal windows. East-facing returns are present on this wing and the balancing wing to the south, framing the recessed central range of 9 bays. This range has outer stair windows divided by two transoms over doorways, and wide, Palladian-style windows with triple radial fanlights over tripartite sashes on the ground floor; tall sash windows and gabled dormers are above. Tall axial chimneys are a prominent feature. The rear of this block displays minimally advanced returns to each cross range, and a two-story block with five windows is situated between them.

The balancing block to the south is three stories high, with sash windows of 12 and 9 panes, and two modest entrances—one with bolection moulding, the other plain—on its south-facing elevation. The central range of the southern block is also three stories high, and its ground-floor detail and flanking stair windows are similar to those of the northern block. The western elevation of the southern block has been altered at ground floor with the addition of a flat-roofed service block.

The central block is recessed between the two H-plan blocks and presents a six-bay, three-story facade to the east. The west-facing facade integrates with the inner wings of the H-plan blocks, creating a strong composition. A simple moulded architrave frames the central entrance, and a tall stair window divided by two transoms is located above it, alongside sash windows of 12 and 9 panes.

The original main entrance to the northern block leads to a near-cubic hall with an elegant plaster cornice and broad architraves to doors. A smaller stair-hall features groin vaulting. A long corridor has a barrel-vaulted ceiling punctuated by small, high-set windows. A senior common room and another formal room share decorative plaster cornices and stone fireplaces. A dining room occupies the southern cross-wing of the northern block. Wood or parquet floors are found throughout; the central and southern blocks contain accommodation with simpler detail, including terrazzo floors and plain plasterwork.