Pathological Block, Western Infirmary, 78 Church Street, Glasgow

The Pathological Block at the Western Infirmary, located at 78 Church Street in Glasgow, was designed by Sir John James Burnet (Burnet Son and Campbell) and constructed between 1894 and 1896. This building is a rectangular-plan Scots Renaissance medical facility, featuring one and two storeys, with later additions to the east. It is built of squared snecked rubble and has a deep droved ashlar plinth, with a roll moulded step at the top of the plinth. The gables are crowstepped, and the apex features a segmental pedimented obelisk, while the eastern gable is plain and only includes the plinth.

The principal elevation facing Church Street is a roughly three-bay gable end with a recessed bay to the north. The ground floor has a single segmental pedimented window that breaks the stepped and moulded plinth course, topped with a moulded panel and finial. Above, a large first-floor window has a consoled advanced cill, flanked by stylised engaged columns, a roll moulded surround, and a large advanced keystone. There is an open pediment above this window, featuring a deeply sculpted tympanum and flanking obelisks. The recessed bay has a large blind window flanked by richly detailed console brackets, with a deep moulded cill and cornice.

The south elevation is largely blind, with some later alterations that include a metal stair and a later section of the boundary wall. The north elevation has regular fenestration, with tripartite windows at the first floor and attic. There is an off-centre base for a former boiler house stack, which was demolished in 1989, and a later addition on the far left (east).

The windows predominantly feature plate glass in a tripartite style with metal frame glazing, although there are some timber sash and case windows on the Church Street elevation. The roof is covered with graded grey slates.

Internally, as of 2011, there have been later alterations to create laboratories and office accommodation, including concrete cantilevered stairs leading to the later block.

The boundary wall surrounding the property is made of coursed squared sandstone and is partially balustraded.