these treatments and are training men to something besides drugs and the knife to relieve human suffering. The efforts of the American College of Surgeons to standardize and grade hospitals, has been, perhaps, the greatest factor in bringing about the changes, for practically no hospital iswilling to be classed as inefficient.
The well-functioning hospital must be planned from the standpoint of efficiency in management
and comfort of the patients, and should be of an architectural design at once pleasing and practical. How can the object of the medical institution be best expressed in architectural design? Should there be a hospital “style” or*«“motif” pervading each medical center? Should the “caduceus” of Aesculapius be emblazed on each facade? No! I believe there should be the same individuality of expression to every “House of Mercy” as to every private house. I have often been asked, “Does not the specializing in the one branch of architecture have a tendency to narrow the scope of design?” I have never found it so. There is as great a possibility for the use of architectural form in a well-planned medical center as in any civic or collegiate group. Once the perfect
plan to function properly with every department is determined upon, the design should follow in proper sequence.
In my early practice in designing small houses, camps and the like, I always found that by taking the material close at hand, a more harmonious whole could be secured; and so I have found in designing medical institutions that the immediate environment plays a large part in determining the type of architecture for the institution. If the building or buildings are to be erected in the suburbs or in a residential section of the country, then a more domestic feeling should prevail; if on a city street, the more stately motif should be employed.
To my mind, the medical institution, wherever it is built and of whatever material, should express in its architecture a feeling of helpfulness and of cheerfulness. Just as every real home, upon being entered, should speak a welcome, so the medical institution should inspire its “guest” with confidence and courage, for after all, the psychology of first impressions upon entering an institution often largely influences the success of an operation or the treatment of a patient.
NORTH FACADE OF BUILDING. SERVICE BUILDING ADJOINS AT THE RIGHT
HOTEL DIEU DU ST. SACREMENT, QUEBEC, P. Q. STEVENS 8 LEE, ARCHITECTS
VIEW OF THE FRONT SHOWING TERRACED PAVILION EFFECT OF THE TWO MAIN WARDS OF THE HOSPITAL AND THE VENTILATING TOWERS ON THE BACK OF THE BUILDING
HOTEL DIEU DU ST. SACREMENT, QUEBEC, P. Q.—STEVENS il LEE, ARCHITECTS
The well-functioning hospital must be planned from the standpoint of efficiency in management
and comfort of the patients, and should be of an architectural design at once pleasing and practical. How can the object of the medical institution be best expressed in architectural design? Should there be a hospital “style” or*«“motif” pervading each medical center? Should the “caduceus” of Aesculapius be emblazed on each facade? No! I believe there should be the same individuality of expression to every “House of Mercy” as to every private house. I have often been asked, “Does not the specializing in the one branch of architecture have a tendency to narrow the scope of design?” I have never found it so. There is as great a possibility for the use of architectural form in a well-planned medical center as in any civic or collegiate group. Once the perfect
plan to function properly with every department is determined upon, the design should follow in proper sequence.
In my early practice in designing small houses, camps and the like, I always found that by taking the material close at hand, a more harmonious whole could be secured; and so I have found in designing medical institutions that the immediate environment plays a large part in determining the type of architecture for the institution. If the building or buildings are to be erected in the suburbs or in a residential section of the country, then a more domestic feeling should prevail; if on a city street, the more stately motif should be employed.
To my mind, the medical institution, wherever it is built and of whatever material, should express in its architecture a feeling of helpfulness and of cheerfulness. Just as every real home, upon being entered, should speak a welcome, so the medical institution should inspire its “guest” with confidence and courage, for after all, the psychology of first impressions upon entering an institution often largely influences the success of an operation or the treatment of a patient.
NORTH FACADE OF BUILDING. SERVICE BUILDING ADJOINS AT THE RIGHT
HOTEL DIEU DU ST. SACREMENT, QUEBEC, P. Q. STEVENS 8 LEE, ARCHITECTS
VIEW OF THE FRONT SHOWING TERRACED PAVILION EFFECT OF THE TWO MAIN WARDS OF THE HOSPITAL AND THE VENTILATING TOWERS ON THE BACK OF THE BUILDING
HOTEL DIEU DU ST. SACREMENT, QUEBEC, P. Q.—STEVENS il LEE, ARCHITECTS