Ashton Infirmary, Chamber Hills, Ashton-under-Lyne (Architectural Competition]
An architectural competition in which the results may be considered to have been manipulated in favour of local architects. The design submitted by H J Paull and R C Sutton, seemingly placed first by the sub-committee was subsequently demoted to an unplaced entry.
THE ASHTON INFIRMARY COMPETITION - THE committee have selected the design marked “Nil Desperandum” for the first premium, found to be by Mr. Joseph Lindley, of their own town; and the design marked “Experience,” understood to be by Mr. Hayley, of Manchester. [Builder 11 June 1859 page 392]
This design - “Pure Air and Sunlight” - provides wards for ten patients, 50 feet by 24 feet, and 15 feet in height, or a cubic space of 1,800 feet each, besides convalescents' rooms 24 feet by 18 feet, and accident-rooms 14 feet by 10 feet. The plan appears somewhat irregular on the ground, but above resolves itself into pavilions; that is to say, blocks either wholly disconnected, or, in the case of those of the front block, joined only by an ample staircase, which could be well ventilated. Some of the rooms of the ground story have flat roofs, forming a terrace which could be used by convalescents. In the ventilating arrangements, the air is admitted under each bed, and would pass out by openings immediately below the ceiling. The fire-places are disposed under the windows. The decorative character is a modified Italian, with good grouping and several excellent features of effect, and is altogether better than either of the selected designs. In another design, by the same author, sent as a model design, and not for the special site, the corridor of communication between the pavilions is treated as a low clerestory.
(Generally) Defects have arisen from difficulty of the reconcilement of the required direction for the axis of each ward, which should be north and south, with the immediate requirements for working the establishment, and with the extension which is in prospect. The author of the design with the motto “Pure Air and Sunlight,” whose design for some days stood first with the committee of selection, and who must have paid very praiseworthy attention to the subject, claims, whilst adhering to the instructions, to have completely overcome the difficulties, and “turned them into advantages,” by “boldly' planning the structure “facing nearly due west, slightly inclining to the south,” and thereby securing a more advantageous view of and from the building. The extension in this design would be wholly northward—the direction in which the land to be hereafter enclosed extends. Most of the other competitors place the general line of the building—that is, of the corridor of communication—parallel with the street or road, the wards being still north and south, and as to the whole building, somewhat less exposed; but many of them overstep the ground, or encounter the other difficulties referred to, in their proposals. Amongst the number of these is certainly the selected design.
The designs were sent in on the 14th of May, and the sub-committee met on the 18th. On the 28th they selected five designs, to be submitted in an order of merit to the general committee, by whom, on the 2nd of June, the decision as to the design which had been put first was overruled, and the second and third were put first and second. Of the five, we should have thought the original first, with the motto, “Pure air and sunlight,” best entitled to the place; whilst there are other designs in the collection which would have better deserved to be placed amongst the number for preliminary selection, than one or two of the actual five. Professional assistance in the opinion, it was thought might lead to unfairness and collusion. [Builder 18 June 1859 page 403]
“Pure Air and Sunlight,” referred to in our last, are Mr. H. J. Paull, of Cardiff, and Mr. R. C. Sutton, of Nottingham. [Builder 25 June 1859 page 418