Basic Site Details Name: | Glasgow Royal Infirmary | City or county: | Glasgow | Country: | Scotland | Parish: | | Status: | B listed | Grid ref: | | Notes: | Original Royal Infirmary by Robert and James Adam (see separate entry) was demolished to make way for this new buildings on the site.
Cost: £224,500. Proposed redevelopment to cost £1.7m
A competition was organised to select the architect for the proposed rebuilding work with Robert Rowand Anderson as the assessor. The results of this competition, generated considerable local controversy, extensively reported in the building press.
'The Glasgow Institute of Architects have forwarded a memorial to the managers of the Royal Infirmary protesting against the action taken in the recent competition; They say: "We attribute the failure not to any lack of zeal on the part of your committee, or of ability on the part of the competing architects, but mainly to the manner in which the competition was initiated and carried through, arid .that in the following respects among others: That along with the printed conditions provided for the competition there were issued two sets of sketch plans as indicative of alternative arrangements which the sub-committee recommended, and which were stated in the accompanying report to be drawn by or under the direction of two members of the sub-committee respectively. 2. That a Jubilee block to be situated on a particular part of the site was insisted upon as an integral part of the scheme. The results of these elements in the conditions were :_(a) That the competitors and the assessor were hampered in the exercise of their individual judgment as to the main points of importance in such a building __vis., the distribution of the various buildings with respect to each other for convenience of working and of all for the freest access of sun and air. (b) That the competitors were placed in the invidious position that, in the event of the schemes recommended by the committee not proving themselves to be in accord with their judgment and experience, they were bound; in departing from them, to meet with disfavour from those influential members of the committee who would enter upon the examination of all the plans with Blinds necessarily biassed in favour of those which they themselves had put forward, while, reserving their position as judges. (c) That as the result, the proposal that plan E be accepted, which became the finding of the meeting, was moved by the gentleman who was actually the author of the scheme which was adopted and worked out in detail by this competitor. 3. That neither of the sketch-plans issued are in accord with the present-day principles of hospital design, as might, indeed, be expected, seeing that their authors have not enjoyed the training which would qualify them as surgical, medical, or architectural experts; that, in fact, the plans are in many vital particulars inadequate and out- of-date, and that these faults are naturally displayed equally in the selected design, which is but an elaboration of one of them. A corroboration of this assertion with regard to the radical faultiness of the plans in question is furnished by the fact that six out of the ten competing architects found it necessary, in spite of risk of possible consequences already alluded to, to entirely throw over the schemes furnished to them, and that among this number are found all the four architects from outside of Glasgow (two from London and two from Edinburgh), who were presumably invited specially on account of their knowledge of hospital design.” The Institute urge the managers, before committing themselves and the public to the erection of any portion of the building, as designed, to have the plans submitted to one or more independent hospital authorities of recognised and outstanding position for consideration and report. They also unanimously lodge a protest against the setting aside by the sub-committee, without any reason given, of the award of the professional assessor, Dr. Rowland Anderson-there so that a simple majority of one was considered sufficient to over-turn his judgment _as to prejudice the success, alike for promoters and architects, 01 future competitions in Glasgow. And they further state that the erection of a Jubilee block. such as is proposed, seven stories high, and in the position selected will, if proceeded with, dwarf and irretrievably injure for all time the external appearance of the cathedral.' [Building News 1 February 1901 Page 154]
GLASGOW ROYAL INFIRMARY RECONSTRUCTION. - A meeting of the executive committee of the Glasgow Royal Infirmary reconstruction scheme was held on Friday. A report by Mr. James Miller, 223, West George_street, the architect whose plans have been adopted, was submitted. He advised that a considerable portion of the permanent buildings should be erected and made ready for occupation before any part of the present structure is demolished, and that the reconstruction should be proceeded with in such a manner that the accommodation of the institution will at no time be less than at present. It was also desirable to avoid as much as possible _the necessity for temporary buildings, which would involve a needless outlay of from £7,000 ·to £8,000. He proposed to erect the north wing or surgical block in the space between the present north block and St. Mungo's College. This block, which was practically a complete infirmary in itself, was 290ft. long, and contained thirteen large wards and twelve small wards, with 224 beds. It would take two years to build. When it was ready to receive patients, those in the present south block would be transferred to it, and the present south block would be demolished, and the building of the Jubilee block could be proceeded with. He suggested that contracts for the Jubilee block should be got out twelve months previous to the completion of the north block, in order to hasten its erection. With the hewn work and materials prepared, he saw no reason why it should not be ready for the roof eight months from the time it was commenced. The Jubilee block will contain 239 beds. On the completion of the Jubilee block, the next portion of the building to be erected would be the central block, which runs north and south, and forms the connecting link between the north and Jubilee blocks. The recommendations were adopted, and a now sub-committee was appointed to confer with the architect and arrange for the reconstruction. [Building News 18 January 1901 Page 86] | Building Type ClassificationThe building is classified under the following categories: | | Classification | Original classification? | Notes | | Hospital | | |
Street AddressesThe following street addresses are associated with this building: | | Address | Main entrance? | Notes | | 106, Castle Street | Yes | | | 82-92, Castle Street | | |
EventsThe following date-based events are associated with this building: | | From | To | Event type | Notes | | 1900 | 1901 | Competition held | | | 1901 | | Design exhibited | Tiltman design | | 1907 | 1909 | | Surgical block | | 1912 | | | Central administration and special diseases block | | 1914 | | | Jubilee block | | 1936 | | | New windows by Henry Hope & Sons | | December 1950 | | Alteration/conversion | Plans to be prepared for alterations at the Royal Infirmary, Castle Street | | 10 June 1966 | | Scheme accepted | Redevelopment of Royston / Gorbals / Laurieston areas, for £71m approved by Secretary of State. Rebuilding the Royal Infirmary was part of this proposal put forward by the City Council | | 28 October 1966 | | Proposed | Part of site for development purchased by City Council via compulsory purchase order. |
PeopleDesign and Construction
Related Buildings, Structures and DesignsChild Structures
ReferencesBibliographic ReferencesThe following books contain references to this building: | | Author(s) | Date | Title | Part | Publisher | Notes | | Academy Architecture | 1901 | | part 1 | | p80 | | Academy Architecture | 1901 | | Part 2 | | pp26-28 (Tiltman competition design) | | Academy Architecture | 1902 | | part 1 | | p82 (Clifford design) | | Graves, Algernon | 1905 | The Royal Academy of Arts: a complete dictionary of exhibitors and their works… | 1905-6 | London: Graves and Bell | 1901, no 1627 | | Harper, Roger H | 1983 | Victorian Architectural Competitions: An Index to British and Irish Architectural Competitions… | | London: Mansell Publishing | | | Moss, Russel and Jenkinson | 1994 | The History of Glasgow Royal Infirmary 1794-1994 | | | | | Patricia, John | | A Short History of Glasgow Royal Infirmary | | | | | RIBA | 1970 | RIBA Directory 1970 | | | | | Royal Glasgow Institute of the Fine Arts | 1901 | | | | 727 & 744 | | RSA | 1917 | | | | 528 (Miller) | | Williamson, Riches, Higgs | 1990 | Glasgow (The Buildings of Scotland) | | | pp146-7 |
Periodical ReferencesThe following periodicals contain references to this building: | | Periodical Name | Date | Edition | Publisher | Notes | | Architect | 24 June 1882 | | | | | British Architect | 4 January 1901 | | | p5 | | British Architect | 18 January 1901 | | | p51 | | British Architect | 1 February 1901 | | | p71 and 85 - continued correspondence | | British Architect | 5 July 1901 | | | p3 and 6 Letter from Glasgow Institute of Architects concerning the settting aside of the decision of the assessor, Dr Rowand Anderson. | | Builder | 1879 | | | p 186 [clocktower] | | Builder | 29 December 1900 | LXXIX | | p592 | | Builder | Early 1900 | LXXVIII | | p62 | | Builder | 12 January 1901 | | | p42 and p44 | | Builder | 12 January 1901 | LXXX | | Miller's work | | Builder | 2 February 1901 | LXXX | | p114 for HE Clifford's entry and illustrations, plans, elevations, perspective etc | | Builder | 16 March 1901 | LXXX | | p226 Stark & Rowntree's design and illustration | | Builder | 11 May 1901 | | | p468- Tiltman's design and illustrations plans etc. | | Builder | 18 May 1907 | XCII | | pp604-6 | | Builder | 1 December 1950 | | | p582 | | Building | 10 June 1966 | | | p185 | | Building | 28 October 1966 | | | p168 | | Building News | 11 January 1901 | | | p57. J Hessel Tiltman's entry p58 and illustrations | | Building News | 18 January 1901 | | | p86 James Miller formally appointed despite continued fall-out from the competition; p89 H Percy Adams entry - and illustrations | | Building News | 25 January 1901 | | | p123 Tiltman's design and further illustrations | | Building News | 1 February 1901 | | | p154; p157 for H Percy Adams entry and further illustrations | | Building News | 5 July 1901 | | | p8 Letter from Glasgow Institute of Architects concerning the settting aside of the decision of the assessor, Dr Rowand Anderson. | | Glasgow Herald | June 1901 | | | Letters about competition, check date | | Glasgow Herald | 21 December 1901 | | | Miller's design | | Scotsman | 25 February 2012 | | | p47: obituary of Tom Ridley |
Archive ReferencesThe following archives hold material relating to this building: | | Source | Archive name | Source catalogue no. | Notes | | Historic Environment Scotland | Listed Buildings Register | 32650 | | | National Monuments Record of Scotland/NMRS, RCAHMS | Lorimer and Matthew Collection | | LOR G/58 | | RIAS Collection, NMRS, RCAHMS | James Miller, Son & Manson Drawings Collection | | 97 drawings | | RIBA Archive, Victoria & Albert Museum | RIBA Nomination Papers | | George Arthur Boswell: L v16 no1132; James Carrick: L v6 no342 (microfiche reel 31); James William Crawford: L v23 no1892 ('General Hospital Glasgow'); Alexander Nisbet Malcolm: L v19 no1446; James Carruthers Walker: L v21 no1649; William John Brockie Wright: L v23 no1832 | | Sent to DSA by email | Information from AHRC/RCAHMS Spence project per David W Walker and Clive Fenton | | Clive Fenton's research notes (sent July 2010): information on Keith Day's and Bill Moncrieff's involvement | | Strathclyde Regional Archives | Glasgow Dean of Guild | | D-TC 13/4977 A-G and TD-972 | | Strathclyde Regional Archives (Mitchell Library) | Strathclyde Regional Archives | | PA 11/2/II/18 (1916 report on new building) |
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