Full Report for Listed Buildings
The list description is not intended to be a complete inventory of what is listed: it is principally intended to aid identification. By law, the definition of a listed building includes the entire building (i) and any structure or object that is fixed to the said building and ancillary to it and (ii) any other structure or object that forms part of the land and has done so since before 1 July 1948, and was within the curtilage of the building, and ancillary to it, on the date on which said building was first included in the list, or on 1 January 1969, whichever was later.
Summary Description
Reference Number
13741
Building Number
Grade
II
Status
Designated
Date of Designation
19/05/1975
Date of Amendment
30/04/1999
Name of Property
Welsh Office Building (Crown Building)
Address
Location
Unitary Authority
Cardiff
Community
Castle
Town
Locality
Cathays Park
Easting
317996
Northing
177253
Street Side
N
Location
At N end of Cathays Park, facing S onto N side of Alexandra Gardens.
Description
Broad Class
Civil
Period
Modern
History
The foundations of a Classical Welsh Government Offices building had been laid on the site in 1914. In 1934-38 the present front block was built as offices for the Welsh Board of Health, designed by P K Hanton, architect. Between 1972 and 1979, the massive rear block was added, by Alex Gordon and Partners. The Architects' Journal called this block 'a symbol of closed inaccessible government', giving the impression of 'bureaucracy under siege'.
Exterior
Front block faced in Portland Stone. Three storeys plus attic on basement. South-east elevation of 15 bays. Each bay with tall rectangular glazed opening extending vertically downwards through 3 main floors and flanked by plain pilasters of equal width to windows; entablature with modillion cornice; doorway in centre bay. Recessed attic storey with 13 square glazed openings and with carved panel to each end bay; hipped roof behind. Against each return, a projecting portico rising to same height as main entablature of south-east elevation; giant pilasters, space between each pilaster enclosed by a glazed opening of similar proportion to those on south-east elevation; central doorway; entablature.
Interior
1930s block.
In 1930s block, lobby leads to staircase hall in polished limestone, stairs with Art-Deco rails. Simple Classical details. Principal office with panelled doors, original light fittings etc. Other offices, and corridors largely unaltered but in austere functional style. Staircase to each end.
Reason for designation
Listed for special interest of 1930s block. Group value with other listed buildings in Cathays Park.
Cadw : Full Report for Listed Buildings [ Records 1 of 1 ]
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