Public Analyst's Laboratory, Queen's Building, Cardiff University

The Public Analyst's Laboratory, part of the Queen's Building at Cardiff University, is a collegiate Gothic style building dating from the early 20th century. It is a near-symmetrical, nine-bay, four-storey north-facing block with a basement, and a return elevation to the east side facing West Grove. The building is constructed of brick with dressings of Corsham Down Bath stone and ashlar to the central and outer bays. The slate roof is hidden behind a plain ashlar parapet, except for the central and end bays, which have an openwork parapet. A decorative freestone cornice featuring relief foliage and sculpted animals above rainwater pipes runs along the top of the building. An ashlar band separates the ground and second storeys.

The central entrance is recessed beneath a corbelled canopy with a segmental arch, bearing the name 'Hygeia' in raised lettering. Sculpted figures of doctors and nurses are above the corbels, and a cartouche with a relief inscription sits between them. The double doors have narrow flanking lights and mullioned, round-headed overlights. The doors feature vertical ribs with relief foliage and blank shields at the top, secured with iron strap hinges. Above the doorway, the central bay contains a three-storey canted oriel window with two-light mullioned and transomed windows, incorporating arched lights in the upper storey. Flanking the oriel are plain buttresses and three-light mullioned and transomed windows, also with arched lights in the upper storey, now containing metal-framed casements. To the left of the centre are two-light windows serving the stairs, set at a different level to the other windows.

The return elevation facing West Grove features angle pilasters and three ashlar bays intended to represent the corner of an original quadrangle. Two brick bays are set back on the left (south) side of an intended wing forming the east side of the quadrangle, exhibiting unfinished quoins. The windows, cornice, and parapet are similar to the north front. A canted central bay projects as an oriel at the second-storey level and features two-light windows. A foundation stone, laid by Edward, Prince of Wales, in 1921, is positioned at the angle with The Parade. A brick wing added in 1960 for the mining engineering department has a south return elevation containing single cross windows and an escape door in the lower storey.

The rear of the main range, overlooking an enclosed courtyard, has windows similar to the front, although replacements have been made in the upper and part of the third storeys. Projecting gables with asymmetrical designs are found on the lower storey and basement.

Inside, the entrance lobby retains fielded wooden wall panels. A simple, open-well staircase with plain iron balusters is located to the left of the lobby. An L-shaped corridor with terrazzo flooring leads to the main rooms and laboratories through half-glazed panel doors with small-pane glazing. The teaching rooms and laboratories are characterised by tile walls and parquet floors.