Technical College

Technical College c1932

Technical College c.1932

The Technical College formerly occupied various premises, none of them actually large enough for its needs, and in 1911 it was decided to build new purpose-designed accommodation in Cathays Park.[1] The foundation stone was laid in April 1914, and the new building opened on 16th March 1916 with three sides completed. It was designed by architects Jones and Thomas and built by E Turner & Sons.

The North Road wing was added in stages. The first extension, engineering workshops constituting the first floor of the North Road wing, was opened in November 1919. The second extension, the second and third floors of the new wing, was opened on December 14th 1927. The building was complete when the third extension ("the floors above the assembly hall") was opened on February 11th 1936. These events are all recorded on two wall plaques just inside the main entrance to the building.

The Technical College was the first Cathays Park building to be designed by Percy Thomas. It is now the Cardiff University Bute Building.

 
  • THIS FOUNDATION STONE WAS LAID BY
  • THE RIGHT HONOURABLE THE LORD MAYOR OF CARDIFF
  • [ALDERMAN JAMES ROBINSON J.P.]
  • APRIL 6th 1914
  • COUNCILLOR J.J.E. BIGGS
  • CHAIRMAN OF THE EDUCATION COMMITTEE
  • IVOR JONES & PERCY THOMAS
  • ARCHITECTS
  • ALDERMAN SIR JOHN COURTIS J.P.
  • CHAIRMAN OF THE BUILDING & SITES COMMITTEE
  • JOHN J.JACKSON B.A.
  • DIRECTOR OF EDUCATION
  • COUNCILLOR J. STANFIELD J.P.
  • CHAIRMAN OF THE TECHNICAL SCHOOLS COMMITTEE
  • E. TURNER & SONS LTD..
  • CONTRACTORS

Sources of Information

  1. Cardiff's Civic Centre : A Historical Guide by Edgar L.Chappell. Published: Cardiff : Priory Press, 1946, page 45

Other sources: