Phase I
Description
The Phase I block of the Western Infirmary was designed by Keppie Henderson & Partners from 1965 and opened in 1974.
During the 1950s, it was decided that a modern complex of buildings was required due to the high maintenance costs of John Burnet Sr’s main hospital building constructed in 1874. A two-phase programme of new buildings was planned, including extensive car parking provision, with the intention to build further larger blocks to the north and demolish all earlier buildings along Church Street, but following the opening of Phase I in 1974 Phase II was indefinitely postponed. This was partially due to the cost and partially due to the completion of the nearby Gartnavel General Hospital. The earliest of Burnet Sr’s infirmary buildings remained in situ to the north of Phase I until it was demolished in the mid-1980s. The standing remains of this building can be seen in a car park to the north of the Phase I building and to the east of G Block.
The balconied elevations of the building are a common elevation treatment of the period. The projecting blocks at the intersections of the aggregate balustrade panel give an illusion of beams projecting from floor plates. The balustrade panels are of concrete aggregate, brightened with white marblechips from Skye, and unify the panel façade behind, concealing window openings of regular but differing size.
Summary
Phase I
Western Infirmary
Glasgow
Record last updated: 20th Aug 2015
