Sully Hospital

Sully Hospital

A hospital complex designed in the Modern Movement style, constructed of brick rendered and reinforced concrete painted with metal-frame windows and balconies. The complex comprises a ward block to the south with main frontage facing the sea, a nurses' home block to the north, a spinal corridor containing the doctors' and administration block at the centre, and a service court to the rear.

The exceptionally wide main front faces south across three storeys, with a basement to the right wing. The elevation is terraced, with ward wings stepping forward from and then receding from a central entrance block. Pale colour-washed walls are finished with flat roofs and distinctive projecting eaves (removed to the centre). A set-back attic storey is flanked by chimneys projecting forward. A tall service and entrance tower rises to the rear with projecting eaves and clerestorey glazing.

Long bands of glazing run across the main block, linked by cornices and sills and interrupted by internal dividing walls. The main block splays forward to meet the wings. Original large-pane metal frames survive to most of the first floor and ground floor, comprising casements and top pivot-frames. A dropped sill to the centre first-floor window leads onto a splayed metalwork balcony positioned over the doorway, which features stepped orders and original fittings to glazed double doors.

The stepped wings are similarly treated with linked concrete balconies finished with metal handrails to the longer inner bays. French windows open to the southern ends. Original glazing survives to the ground floor on the left and first floor on the right only. The outer wings step back further to join long nine-window ranges with linked concrete balconies, metal handrails to roof and terraces, and French windows. Single-window pavilions with metal handrails complete these ranges.

The simpler rear elevations of the wings include outer stair towers with diagonally rising glazing and curved angles to the main ranges. The inner angle of the east wing features double doors beneath bowed balconies.

Large double panelled doors mark the main ambulance entrance, positioned under a canopy at the base of the main staircase tower with diagonally-rising glazing. One and two storey ranges in matching style line the spinal corridor, linking the ward block through a quadrangular service block to the north entrance block.

The north entrance front rises four storeys across nine windows, with wings splayed forward. Plain projecting parapets finish the colour-washed walls. Individual windows are detailed with hoods, sills and original metal casements; lower windows are linked horizontally in brickwork bands. International-style circular stair-towers with full-height facetted glazing occupy the outer angles. Pilasters group the windows, and a recessed central doorway is finished with original panelled double doors and a fanlight positioned under a bowed balcony with metal handrail.

A distinctive east end to the one-storey service block is designed in International style, featuring an overall concrete canopy with bowed angle and a single metal column. Below this sits a bowed end to the office block, with double wooden doors to the right and in the angle to the left.

The interior is well-proportioned with careful detailing throughout. Wardrobes, rubber edging to doors (mostly replaced), curved corners to eliminate dust traps, and floors of terrace and rubberised composition are evident. Some public rooms, including the library, retain fireplaces, oak skirtings and dado rails. Original metal handrails survive on the stairs, including an exceptional open-well staircase. Circular staircases in the north block feature cantilevered flights. Round columns rise in the north entrance hall.