The Piazza, Including Adjoining Playhouse Central Vase Monument

Cadw's description

Location

At the NW corner of the village, next to the Triumphal Arch.

History

Portmeirion was designed and laid out by the celebrated architect Sir Clough Williams-Ellis (1883-1978) following his purchase of the estate, then called Aber Iâ, in 1926. The village evolved over several decades and was still being added to in the 1970s.

Small piazza conceived and laid out 1962-3. The adjoining playhouse is contemporary.

Exterior

Small semi-circular piazza with low rubble walls forming an arc some 20m across. The wall is surmounted by a topiaried beech hedge which forms a high screen. Off-centre to the R is a wall fountain flanked by gaps within wall and hedge for paths up to the Gwyllt; both gaps are defined by flanking sandstone balls on shallow chamfered bases. The fountain is in the form of a terracotta dolphin with scallop shell basin, the whole with aedicular surround; shaped pediment with scallop corbel and cartouche above. Arched opening behind the dolphin, with balusters, relief lozenges and voluted sides. To either side of the fountain, beyond the path entrances, are life-sized classical caryatids; these are set into the topiary screen, one to the R and 2 to the L. To the far L is a square angled plinth of sandstone ashlar with a smaller surmounting statue of a female classical figure. The wall and surmounting hedge continue to the L of this figure for another 6 to 8m; at this point a low rubble parapet wall with circular terminating pier adjoins. This flanks a part-metalled access lane on the NW side.

In the centre of the piazza is a vase monument in the form of a large terrcotta copy of the Warwick Vase; this has a square classical plinth with rams-head corners and putti decoration and sits on a 2-tier circular base, itself set within a decorative circular cobbled pavement.

Adjoining the piazza screen wall and hedge to the E is the Playhouse. This is a plain rectangular building containing an audio visual presentation. It has a shallow-pitched roof and overhanging eaves. The entrance is at the front gable end which is symmetrical. A short flight of steps leads up to a central marginally-glazed entrance with decorative segmental fan over and flanking external wooden shutters. To the L and R of this are small vertical windows with lozenge glazing and single outer shutters. Rusticated corners to the front gable.

Reason for designation

Listed as one of a number of buildings and structures designed by the eminent architect and conservationist Sir Clough Williams-Ellis for his visionary Portmeirion villiage.

Group value with other listed items at Portmeirion.