Birmingham School of Art building

The Birmingham School of Art building was designed for the school of art by architect John Henry Chamberlain from January 1882 until October 1883, and was built from May 31 1884 until its opening in September 1885.

Birmingham School of Art
Birmingham School of Art rose.
General information
Architectural style	Gothic Revival
Coordinates	52.48113323°N 1.9032311°W / 52.48113323; -1.9032311
Year(s) built	1884-1885
Groundbreaking	May 31 1884
Construction started	May 31 1884
Opened	September 1885
Cost	£21,254
Design and construction
Architect(s)	John Henry Chamberlain

Funding

The building cost £21,254, and was sponsored by donations from the Tangye brothers (£10,937) and Louisa Ryland (£10,000). The site was given from the Newhall estate by William Barwick Cregoe Colmore.

Architecture

It is a red-brick Victorian Gothic structure, completed after its architect J. H. Chamberlain's death by his partner William Martin and his son Frederick Martin, and widely considered as Chamberlain's masterpiece. Its Venetian style and naturalistic decoration are heavily influenced by John Ruskin's Stones of Venice.

A continuous plinth band of Doultons tilework containing lozenges lilies and sunflowers on blue backgrounds runs around the building. The original iron railings were made by Hart & Co..

History

The foundation stone was laid on 31 May 1884 and the building was opened in September 1885.

An extension from the north end, running east along Cornwall Street was added by Martin & Chamberlain in 1892–93.

In 1992, the cleaning of the exterior was completed after two years and the refurbishment and renovation of the interior began in 1993, ending in 1996. The work was undertaken by Associated Architects following completion of the Birmingham School of Jewellery also for Birmingham City University.