Admission Block, Royal Prince Alfred Hospital facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Admission Block, Royal Prince Alfred Hospital |
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| Location | Missenden Road, Camperdown, City of Sydney, New South Wales, Australia |
| Built | 1876–1882 |
| Architect | Mansfield Brothers |
| Owner | NSW Department of Health |
| Official name: Royal Prince Alfred Hospital - Admission Block; RPA | |
| Type | state heritage (built) |
| Designated | 2 April 1999 |
| Reference no. | 830 |
| Type | Hospital |
| Category | Health Services |
The Admission Block, also known as the Administration Building, is a special historic building. It is part of the Royal Prince Alfred Hospital in Camperdown, New South Wales, Australia. This building was designed by Mansfield Brothers and built between 1876 and 1882. It is officially recognized as a heritage site on the New South Wales State Heritage Register.
Contents
History of the Hospital
Why the Hospital Was Built
In 1868, people in Sydney decided to build a new hospital. This was to celebrate the recovery of Alfred, Duke of Saxe-Coburg and Gotha. He had survived an assassination attempt in March 1868.
Building Begins
The New South Wales Parliament passed a law in 1873 to create the Prince Alfred Hospital. Mansfield Brothers were chosen as the architects. Construction of the Administration Building began in 1876. Gardens were also started around this time.
Opening Day
The hospital officially opened its doors in 1882. The Admission Block has been in continuous use since then. It is a very important part of the original hospital.
What the Building Looks Like
Outside the Building
The Admission Block is built in a style called Victorian Free Classical. It looks balanced, with a three-story entrance area in the middle. The building has cream-colored bricks and fancy sandstone decorations. Red bricks highlight the arched doorways on the ground floor. The entrance has grey granite columns. The roof was originally slate, but now has terracotta tiles.
Inside the Building
Inside, the ground floor has a large lobby. The floor is made of shiny marble. The walls and ceiling have beautiful plaster work. You can also see several lovely stained glass windows. These windows show things like the Royal Coat of Arms and Queen Victoria. The back of the lobby has a special pressed metal ceiling. It also has an Art Nouveau style dado (a decorative panel on the lower part of a wall).
Why This Building is Important
A Special Landmark
The Admission Block is very important, both inside and out. It is a major part of the original hospital that is still used today. The building shows the excellent work of George Allen Mansfield, a famous architect. Its three surviving sides and roof are a great example of Victorian architecture. Along with the Victoria & Albert Pavilions, it forms one of Sydney's most impressive hospital fronts.
A Look at History
This building helps us understand the history of healthcare in New South Wales.
- The hospital started as a charity. People would pay money to support it. In return, they could get "tickets" to admit patients.
- It was meant to help poor people who couldn't afford medical care. Patients were encouraged to pay a small fee if they could.
- Over time, the way hospitals were funded changed. Governments started providing most of the money. The old "ticket" system slowly disappeared.
- The hospital also began to admit more private patients.
Amazing Design and Technology
The original hospital buildings were designed using the best techniques of their time.
- They used strong steel beams and special concrete or iron ceilings. This made the buildings fireproof. It also helped prevent the spread of diseases.
- The layout was planned to make it easy to move patients around. This was important before lifts were common.
- Some parts of the building show how medical care and technology have developed over the years.
Important to the Community
The Royal Prince Alfred Hospital is highly respected by the community, its staff, and patients. It is known for its excellent medical care and research.
- Hospitals are places where big life events happen, like births, serious illnesses, and accidents. Many generations of people in New South Wales have strong memories of this hospital.
- Doctors and nurses also have strong connections to the hospital. Many trained there as students. It has had a big impact on many medical professionals today.
See also
