Architecture Walks - Wolverhampton

Second year Visual Communication students are working on a trilogy of projects with a themed connection. To help with their initial research, staff and students have undertaken 'architecture walks' of the city. Part of the group, pictured here with Senior Lecturer Marc Austin, are shown outside the beautiful Wolverhampton Central Library, which is a Grade II* listed building, opened in 1902 and designed by Henry T Hare, an architect with Beaux Arts training. 

Students enjoyed a tour which began with a guided visit to Wolverhampton City Archives, now housed in the historic The Molineux Hotel, also a Grade II* listed building dating from 1720. The building now superbly renovated, complete with period interiors and elegant garden, sits next to the School of Art and Design and is open to visitors Tuesday to Friday 10.00am - 5.00pm.Late night opening till 7.00pm on Wednesday and Saturday 10.00am-1.00pm. 

The next stop was the elegant foyer of the Wolverhampton Magistrates court housed in the old Wolverhampton Town Hall. This grand design, opened in 1871, was built in the French Renaissance style with a sandstone facade and rusticated plinth. 

One high spot of the tour was the Beatties House of Fraser Heritage Room. Students enjoyed exploring a century of retail history at the Wolverhampton flagship store - seeing archive documents, advertisements and print ephemera dating back to when the store first opened as well as original objects including the Beatties Rocking Horse and the first ever Beatties carrier bag.