The image you are looking at dear readers depicts the copper domed, stone and brick built edifice that was once upon a time Newport Technical Institute. Sadly the building has stood empty for some years and since becoming a target for vandals is now derelict. It wasn’t always so.
The Technical Institute was also home for the world famous Newport School of Art and Design and was once so full of life; I’m rather pleased to have studied at the ‘Tech’ myself and been a small part of its history.
The entranceway was through a pillared portico that opened to a light, airy circular foyer. Staircases at either side climbed the walls to meet on the first floor level, giving access to the teaching spaces. The second floor had been specifically designed to allow as much natural light as possible to the various studios. The copper dome acted like an upturned bell, oak benches had been built into it allowing students to sit within: a magical place in many respects.
A little of the history...
The Newport Mechanics Institute was founded in 1841. In 1870, this gave birth to Schools of Art and Science in Newport which in turn became Newport Technical Institute, based in Clarence Place, in September 1910.
The Technical Institute expanded during the first half of the twentieth century and as a result, a separate College of Art and a College of Technology were formed in 1958 with the latter being jointly administered up to 1974 by Monmouthshire County Council and Newport Borough Council.
Newport College of Art was one of the first colleges in the country to be allowed to award the new degree equivalent qualification, the Diploma of Art and Design, in 1963. When the Diploma was itself replaced in 1973 the College was approved to offer honours degrees in Fine Art and Graphic Design and continues to do so to this day.
Such a shame in my view for a once splendid building to have been allowed to simply fall into disrepair, albeit aided by the hooligan element breaking glass, setting fires, etc. The latest move is to redevelop the site into luxury flats: I hope they retain the entranceway and staircase and return the area to an earlier elegance.
lyndlj
Pro 
It is sad when beautiful buildings are abandoned to the mercy of vandals