University of Wales, Cardiff, including Forecourt Walls

The University of Wales, Cardiff comprises a series of long blocks arranged around a central quadrangle, constructed in the late 17th and early 18th century styles reminiscent of university colleges designed by Christopher Wren. The buildings are primarily of Portland stone, with channelled stonework to the ground floor. The main elevation facing Museum Avenue is a long, 47-window frontage divided into 11 sections. A prominent central block features a five-window facade surmounted by a three-bay Ionic temple front with reliefs to the pediment; a low-relief figural frieze extends a further bay on either side, punctuated by oculus windows. The first floor has sash windows, paired within the temple front. A ground floor arcade with enriched piers and keystones leads to a central entrance flanked by a segmental pediment supported by columns. Above this entrance is an attic storey crowned by a steep pediment featuring a trophy and a Baroque cupola topped with a dragon finial.

To either side of the main entrance are taller, three-storey square pavilions with mullion and transom windows. Attic storeys are topped by aedicules containing figurative sculpture and balustraded parapets. The first floor has three windows, with differing treatments on each side, while the ground floor features four arched windows. Long, two-storey flanking wings extend from the central block, incorporating a balustraded parapet, mullion and transom windows on the first floor, and round-headed sash windows on the ground floor. Projecting end blocks contain four windows each.

A low stone wall with obelisk gate piers runs along the front of the Museum Avenue elevation. North and South wings continue the design, with varying levels and simplified details. Panels of grey-green slate are used for the window aprons. The east wing entrance to the quadrangle is flanked by three-storey blocks with open pediments, and is enclosed by iron railings and gates set within a curved stone wing. Stone gates are topped with ball finials. A wide central gate is flanked by narrower gates.

Within the quadrangle, the eastern elevation of the west wing is primarily three storeys high. A library projects forward centrally, featuring a Venetian window and a segmental pediment mirroring the barrel vault of the library’s interior, with a niche containing a statue of Saint David. Pedimented centre blocks are present on the North and South wings, with convex projections and applied classical detailing in the inner corners.

An entrance loggia leads to a low, deep hall featuring piers with Ionic detailing and long corridors to the North and South. A statue of John Viriamu Jones (the first Principal), sculpted in 1906 by W Goscombe John, is also located here. To the North, a staircase rises around an open well; the newels are capped with Ionic capitals that support spandrels of saucer domes, some of which are glazed. The walls are faced with Penarth alabaster, and the landing has a clerestory. The Council Chamber has a shallow tunnel vault with side windows and full-height panelling, including a carved overmantel. Baroque doorways lead to the Draper's Library, which contains a floor inserted in 1977. This library features six barrel-vaulted bays with coffering, partially glazed thermal windows, an arcade of round arches on piers with applied Ionic pilasters, and a Venetian window to the east end.