Llandrindod Wells in Powys Mid Wales
Croeso Network

   Architectural Detailing 

Automobile Palace The previous sections have covered the major elements of the streetscape and building form. However, of great importance to the architecture style of the town is the considerable amount of ornate detailing at which the Victorians were masters. 

Quoining is often found at the corners of buildings, which is dressed stones or bricks bonded alternately in either wall. Arches above windows and doors display a variety of treatments with sculptured brickwork and bricks of different colour. The town's brickwork is also made more interesting at the cornice - a projecting decorative element at the top of a wall or at the eaves. 

As discussed in the previous section Victorian shopfronts paid careful attention to design details. Elaborate and more simple consoles (carved brackets with a curved outline) were used at each end of the fascia boards. Decorative iron ventilation grilles and cast iron work were also incorporated into the shopfronts, as well as cresting to the cornice.

Finials, ornaments at the top of gables or pinnacles, are found extensively throughout Llandrindod. They vary considerably in size and may be of wood or sculptured stone. The interesting Automobile Palace though slightly post-Victorian, the first two elements being built in 1913 and 1919, is handsomely faced in glazed white tiles of the texture then being used in the West End of London. Around the perimeter of the flat roof are twenty three stone lions.

Reproduced from the booklet 'Victorian Architecture of Llandrindod Wells'
Copyright Powys County Council - Visit http://www.llandrindod.co.uk

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