Description

CHARMINSTER HERRISON HOSPITAL SY 69 SE

7/26 Herrison House

4.10.89 II

Hospital building, now principally administration offices. c,1904. Red brick with cream terracotta dressings and decorative features, slate roofs. A very complex rambling plan with main centre block and lower wings forming very flat U-plan facing south, and a second courtyard to north; detail to south is richer than that on north side, although there is a consistency of careful detailing throughout. Main south front is in 1:5:1:5:1 bays with series of modelled Dutch gables to stone copings and finials; series of 2-storey canted bays in 3-storey block. All windows have terracotta mullions and transoms, behind which slide the plate glass sashes. Terracotta bands horizontally at plinth, cill, and lintol levels carried right through at ground and first floors. Central brought-forward gable unit has richly modelled terracotta scrolled ornamentation with clock face, and small flanking octagonal pepper-pot turrets; centre has a 3-storey canted bay window. The lintol heads are formed in terracotta with joggled joints series of brick ridge stacks. Two-storey wings are brought forward at each end, similar Dutch gables; that to right with extended one- storey block with flat roof, in consistent detail but possibly later addition. Long return. East arm with projecting block, all 2-storey, many prominent ridge stacks. The back, in simple detail, has projecting square stair turret, at bottom of which is glazed porch in facets, with glazed roof, above door now (1989) used as principal entry. Interior: simple but consistent detailing, with modelled painted dado panelling, painted wood fire surrounds with mantel shelves, plain chamfered segmental-headed openings, panelled doors in reveals and architraves, and various glazed doors and panels to segmental heads, mostly part of the original Edwardian detailing. The entrance hall on the north side has polished hardwood panelling and doors, some Art-Nouveau coloured glass; 2 scagliola columns carry arches to flat ceiling with rectilinear sub-divisions. Stair, off left in turret, dog-leg to spine wall. Detailing remains mostly unaltered throughout the building, being in simplified form at the top level. The only significant late intrusions are some fire doors, and fluorescent strip lighting. A somewhat incoherent building in plan, probably reflecting a series of plan elements, but very vigorously and well worked out; the whole a remark- ably unchanged example of design stemming from the great country houses of the Edwardian era.

Listing NGR: SY6763694849

External Links

• Wikidata Q26552305

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