Lys Kernow | |
---|---|
![]() Lys Kernow in 2023 | |
Location | Truro, Cornwall |
Coordinates | 50°15′36″N 5°04′09″W / 50.2600°N 5.0692°W |
Built | 1966 |
Architect | Francis Kenneth Hicklin and Alan Groves |
Architectural style(s) | Brutalist style |
Listed Building – Grade II | |
Designated | 24 April 1998 |
Reference no. | 1323700 |
Lys Kernow, known as New County Hall between 1966 and 2009, is a municipal facility at Treyew Road in Truro, Cornwall. Dalvenie House, which is at the north end of the site, is retained for use as the county register office. [1] The building, which serves as the headquarters of Cornwall Council, is a Grade II listed building. [2]
During the first half of the 20th century Cornwall County Council held its meetings at the Old County Hall at Station Road in Truro. [3] After deciding that the Old County Hall was inadequate for their needs, [4] council leaders decided to procure a new purpose-built building: the site selected had been occupied by the grounds of a private house known as Dalvenie House, as well as some surrounding fields. [5]
The new building was designed by the County Architect, Francis Kenneth Hicklin, and his successor, Alan Groves, in the Brutalist style [6] and was officially opened by Queen Elizabeth II on 14 July 1966. [7] The design involved a three-storey square concrete-framed structure with circa 50 bays on each side; the bays contained a window on each floor flanked by concrete slabs. [2] Internally, the principal room was the council chamber which was on the first floor and was cantilevered out of the main building on the east side. [2] [8] There was a courtyard, landscaped by Sir Geoffrey Jellicoe, in the centre of the building; a sculpture by Barbara Hepworth, known as "Rock form, Porthcurno", was unveiled in the courtyard garden when the building opened. [9]
Following the abolition of Cornwall County Council in April 2009, [10] the building became the headquarters of the new unitary authority, Cornwall Council. [11] This was followed by an extensive programme of refurbishment works, to a design by Poynton Bradbury Wynter Cole of St Ives, which was completed in 2013. [12] [13]
The building contains an extensive collection of modern art including a painting by the Cornish fisherman and artist, Alfred Wallis, depicting the harbour entrance at Penzance. [14] [15]
Lys Kernow | |
---|---|
![]() Lys Kernow in 2023 | |
Location | Truro, Cornwall |
Coordinates | 50°15′36″N 5°04′09″W / 50.2600°N 5.0692°W |
Built | 1966 |
Architect | Francis Kenneth Hicklin and Alan Groves |
Architectural style(s) | Brutalist style |
Listed Building – Grade II | |
Designated | 24 April 1998 |
Reference no. | 1323700 |
Lys Kernow, known as New County Hall between 1966 and 2009, is a municipal facility at Treyew Road in Truro, Cornwall. Dalvenie House, which is at the north end of the site, is retained for use as the county register office. [1] The building, which serves as the headquarters of Cornwall Council, is a Grade II listed building. [2]
During the first half of the 20th century Cornwall County Council held its meetings at the Old County Hall at Station Road in Truro. [3] After deciding that the Old County Hall was inadequate for their needs, [4] council leaders decided to procure a new purpose-built building: the site selected had been occupied by the grounds of a private house known as Dalvenie House, as well as some surrounding fields. [5]
The new building was designed by the County Architect, Francis Kenneth Hicklin, and his successor, Alan Groves, in the Brutalist style [6] and was officially opened by Queen Elizabeth II on 14 July 1966. [7] The design involved a three-storey square concrete-framed structure with circa 50 bays on each side; the bays contained a window on each floor flanked by concrete slabs. [2] Internally, the principal room was the council chamber which was on the first floor and was cantilevered out of the main building on the east side. [2] [8] There was a courtyard, landscaped by Sir Geoffrey Jellicoe, in the centre of the building; a sculpture by Barbara Hepworth, known as "Rock form, Porthcurno", was unveiled in the courtyard garden when the building opened. [9]
Following the abolition of Cornwall County Council in April 2009, [10] the building became the headquarters of the new unitary authority, Cornwall Council. [11] This was followed by an extensive programme of refurbishment works, to a design by Poynton Bradbury Wynter Cole of St Ives, which was completed in 2013. [12] [13]
The building contains an extensive collection of modern art including a painting by the Cornish fisherman and artist, Alfred Wallis, depicting the harbour entrance at Penzance. [14] [15]