A new roof over the Quad

Work on the ambitious project to transform the Aberystwyth University’s Old College into a major cultural and creative centre has taken a significant step forward with the installation of a new glass roof over the Quad.

Featuring 40 glass panels, the new 25 metre-long roof sits above the original roof which was installed in 1889/90 when the Quad became a covered space for the first time.

_{Lifting the glass panels over the Old College.}

Over a period of three days, the glass panel were lifted by crane from the promenade side over some of the highest points on the Old College’s North Seddon section before being lowered into place.

_{Fitting the glass panels.}

The work paves the way for the next phase that will see the removal of the old polycarbonate roof that protected the Quad’s stained-glass barrel-vaulted ceiling from the elements.

_{The old polycarbonate roof.}

Described as “a place to see and be seen”, the Quad “made every bit as important a contribution to the education of Aberystwyth students as any lecture-room or laboratory” according to historian Dr E L Ellis in his volume to mark the University’s centenary in 1972.

_{The Quad.}

Following the great fire that destroyed much of the northern section of the Old College in July 1885, the building was redeveloped to better serve the University’s needs.

However, the Quad remained open to the elements and was referred to as the College Corridor until 1889 when Aberystwyth born financier W T Jones offered £500 towards the cost of building a roof over it.

Under the grand barrel-vaulted ceiling of wood and stained glass with coats of arms representing the Welsh counties, the Quad as it is known today was born.

With the new roof in place, work is already underway to create two bridges that will link the King Street and promenade sides of the building that will offer dramatic views of the vaulted ceiling from above.

_{An artist’s impression of the view over the Quad ceiling.}

The Old College Project manager Jim O’Rourke said: “We are delighted to have completed the installation of the new roof over the Quad. As well as being important from a practical perspective, this is one of those symbolic milestones in this ambitious project as it brings us a step closer to letting the sun back into the Quad where generations of students and staff will have socialised and worked since it was installed over 130 years ago.”

“The position of the Quad roof meant this was a technically challenging part of the project and we are hugely grateful to our principal contractor Andrew Scott Ltd, the glazing company Whitesales and Carmarthen based Davies Cranes Ltd, whose excellent teamwork meant it only took three days to fit the new glass despite the occasionally blustery conditions.”

_{Left to right: Randeep Sidhu and Dan Bradley from Whitesales and Dan Roberts from Davies Crane Hire who fitted the glass on the new Quad roof.}

The story of the Quad and W T Jones’s contribution has been documented by former Aberystwyth University librarian Elgan Davies in his piece: W.T. Jones and the development of the Old College Quad.

The Old College project is supported by The National Lottery Heritage Fund, Welsh Government and the European Regional Development Fund, UK Government, Coastal Communities Fund, The National Lottery Community Fund, philanthropic trusts, and individuals.