Ballynahinch Technical College

The Department's description

Exterior description and setting

Mainly single storey, somewhat sprawling technical college complex, largely dating from 1949-50 and largely built using a pre-fabricated aluminium system, but added to over the years. The building is set in a hollow to the W side of Church Road on the S side of the town of Ballynahinch.

The school comprises of four main sections which are linked by corridors. The front block which is mildly Art Deco in appearance is ‘U’ shaped. The legs of the ‘U’ form a small entrance court. The centre section is constructed in smooth rendered brickwork, is flat roofed and symmetrical. To the middle is a tall two storey tower. The wings comprise classrooms which are pitched roofed with attached corridors which have flat roofs. The wings are constructed in the pre-fabricated aluminium Bristol System.

The block to the S comprises of a classroom constructed in the Bristol system.

To the far S is the gymnasium which is constructed in brick with smooth render. The block has a distinctive corbelled eaves course and a natural slate roof. A number of flat roofed pavilions are attached.

The block to the W is also constructed in brick with smooth render and a natural slate roof. This building has no eaves course.

To the S side are a number of ‘Portacabin’ classrooms.

Historical information

The complex largely dates from 1949-50. The original sections of the building were constructed using Bristol system of pre-fabricated aluminium sections. Apparently this was the first use of this system in Northern Ireland after Short Brothers & Harland had started manufacturing units at their Newtownards plant.

The complex appears to have been extended at some point.

References- Primary sources
1 EHS First survey notes by Paul Larmour, c.1992

Criteria for listing: architectural interest

Not listed

Evaluation

Mainly single storey, somewhat sprawling technical college complex largely dating from 1949-50 and largely built using a pre-fabricated aluminium system, but added to over the years.