87611

 

II  

Designated  

17/06/2010  

17/06/2010  

Hafod Elfyn (former Natural Environment Research Council Offices)  

 

Gwynedd  

Bangor  

 

Penrhosgarnedd  

256368  

370769  

 

On south side of Penrhos Road about 200m south-west of the junction with Coed Mawr road.  

 

 

Designed by S. Colwyn Foulkes, architect of Colwyn Bay and constructed in 1959 . Built for the Nature Conservancy Council in Wales, it is named after Professor R. Elfyn Hughes (1915 - 2007) who was its first and only director. Formed in the 1950s it functioned for twenty years until 1974, designating National Nature Reserves and Sites of Scientific Interest as well as undertaking research into the natural sciences. In 1972, at a time of expansion an extension was constructed to the rear and linked to the main building with a glazed gantry walkway. A further similar single storey office was built later in the C20 downslope and to the east.  

Office in vernacular revival style. Single storey 'L'-shaped plan with additional accommodation in the roof, main range parallel to and offset back from Penrhos Road. Roughcast walls, tall slate roof laid in diminishing courses with small hips, ridge finial and axial chimney to main range. Dormer windows to the rear roof slope. Metal casement windows to the ground floor and small pane sash windows to the attic floor in each gable. Main entrance is in the long elevation facing the road and is offset to the right, plain timber plank doors set within a deep pink sandstone moulded surround.  

Not inspected but said to survive largely intact with original doors and brass fittings, including the main entrance doors and corridor doors with bevelled glass panels. A plaque is reportedly located inside the entrance which reads: 'This research building is named Hafod Elfyn in honour of Professor R. Elfyn Hughes for his contribution to nature conservation and research in Wales'.  

Listed for its special architectural interest as a good example of a purpose built mid C20 office and research building designed by the architect S. Colwyn Foulkes, one of the leading Welsh architects of the C20. It is also important for its historical association with Professor Elfyn Hughes and the development of nature conservation in Wales.