Wallsend Health Centre

Wallsend Health Centre

A steel frame building clad in mellow brown brick laid in stretcher bond with prominent white pointing, Portland stone dressings, and steel window frames, designed in the Art Deco style and completed in 1940.

The plan comprises a rectangular block to the front containing a double-height hall, probably a waiting room, with single-storey ranges on three sides and entrances to the east and west. The west entrance features a loggia. The rear west and east ranges are linked at the north end by a formerly open-sided covered walkway that forms a central open quadrangle, now partially infilled with later 20th-century extensions that are not of special architectural interest.

All exterior elevations have a horizontal and vertically banded brick plinth and an eaves band of vertical brick, with smaller windows topped by vertical brick heads. Portland stone sills and upper bands are present throughout, along with original rainwater goods featuring square ornate heads. Most windows retain their original steel frames with thin horizontal glazing bars, many incorporating margin lights.

The south (main) elevation features a central double-height block with a flat roof obscured by a brick parapet with a raised and stepped stone centre bearing the inscription BOROUGH/OF/WALLSEND/HEALTH/CENTRE. Immediately below is a rectangular recess edged in brick containing a hexagonal date stone reading AD/1940 and the base for a former fitting, possibly a sundial. Five large steel-framed windows occupy the upper level, with broad vertical brick heads alternating with engaged circular columns, each topped with a brick cap. In front of the double-height block is a flat-roofed single-storey range. The central section has a large window flanked by slightly smaller windows, alternating with narrow brick sections resembling pilasters. To either side are slightly set-back bays with a large window and paired narrow windows. Each end bay contains a narrow window flanking a slightly projecting section with paired windows and a raised stone parapet incorporating fluted motifs.

The west elevation shows the double-height block with detailing similar to the south elevation but without the stepped stone parapet; the hexagonal recess here is blind, and three windows alternate with engaged round columns. A similar flat-roofed single-storey range to the front contains a central entrance flanked by two large windows. The stone entrance is flanked by short engaged round columns with fluted caps and retains original heavy-panelled timber doors with steel-framed overlights featuring herringbone glazing bar patterns. Attached is a seven-bay loggia, now enclosed with railings, formed by hexagonal brick and tile columns supporting a narrow tiled-roof structure, possibly a pram shelter. Its central bay is flanked by clustered columns bearing a stepped parapet above, which formerly carried a bronze sign, now removed. The single-storey west rear range is pierced by windows of varying sizes.

The east elevation features the double-height block in similar form and detail to the west elevation. The lower flat-roofed single-storey range attached to the front has a central entrance identical to the west entrance, though the doors are replacements. To the left is a plain section with large and narrow windows, and to the right is the east rear range with windows of varying sizes.

The rear elevation is plain with windows of varying size and form, and evidence of some parapet rebuilding. The formerly open linking covered walkway has a central entrance with inserted glazing.

Interior

The west and east entrances open into vestibules retaining some original decorative schemes in the form of plain banding forming large panels. The west vestibule has a founding board attached to its east wall. Both entrances feature prominent, slightly stepped door cases with original bands and beading forming large panels to their sides; the upper part of the east entrance is obscured by a suspended ceiling, and the upper part of the west entrance has been truncated. The double-height hall, probably a waiting room, was formerly open to the north and south with arcades of hexagonal columns with fluted caps. It has been partitioned, and the eastern part now has inserted suspended ceilings with infilled former arcades; the hexagonal columns with fluted caps remain visible from their respective flanking corridors. The western part remains full height, revealing its original steel-beamed ceiling with geometric ventilator and large windows lighting the interior; the ground floor contains low single-storey partitions. The formerly open south side has been infilled, incorporating the columns, while the north side retains the original arcade. The corridor to the south of the waiting area has a suspended ceiling and applied bands to the walls creating large panels, and original rooms to the south have stepped door heads. While some doors have been replaced, many original doors and architraves survive, some with circular lights and original door stops. The rear ranges are plain, each with a set of original double-glazed doors providing access to the central courtyard.