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.

Reasons for Listing

Listed for special interest of 1930s block. Group value with other listed buildings in Cathays Park.

External Links

• Cadwr Listing
• Crown Buildings at Wikipedia
• Wikidata Q10983699

External links are from the relevant listing authority and, where applicable, Wikidata. Wikidata IDs may be related buildings as well as this specific building. If you want to add or update a link, you will need to do so by editing the Wikidata entry.

Recommended Books

• 
  Specifications for Building Conservation: Volume 1: External Structure: Practical Examples v. 2
• 
  Planning (Listed Buildings and Conservation Areas) Act 1990: Updated version
• 
  Wiltshire (Pevsner Architectural Guides: Buildings of England)
• 
  Somerset: South and West (Pevsner Architectural Guides) (Pevsner Architectural Guides: Buildings of England)
• 
  Warwickshire (Pevsner Architectural Guides) (Pevsner Architectural Guides: Buildings of England)
• 
  Listed Buildings: The Law and Practice of History Buildings, Ancient Monuments and Conservation Areas