Rochford Hospital Johnson Isolation Block (EHER 26402)

The Johnson Isolation block at Rochford Hospital was designed in 1933-34 by F W Smith and opened by 1939. The design shows strong affinities with the International Modem Style, and is an almost unique example of an isolation block built to care for patients who developed infectious diseases during their hospital stay.

Hospital Isolation Block opened in 1939. <1> Hospital Isolation Block, designed in 1933-34 by F W Smith and opened by 1939. Brick in English bond; flat roofs with parapet coping.Two storeys. Unusual arrow-shaped plan with pointfacing south and culminating in a full-height semi-circular bay with floor-to-ceiling metal windows; this bay topped by a deep projecting cornice to cut mid-day glare. Glass and metal parapet to terrace and first-floor balcony of corresponding profile with short angled retum to main block. The long returns then step back , sawtooth fashion, in three full-height, square bays with generous metal windows, the corners open but for slender wood uprights. To rear the plan is cross shaped with rectangular transept-like projections. Most of the original glazing survives throughout. The design shows strong affinities with the International Modem Style, and is an almost unique example of an isolation block built to care for patients who developed infectious diseases during their hospital stay. <2> 1990s. Building Survey. To the west of the site is a two-storey TB isolation block (Samuel Johnson building) with a single-storey pneumothorax unit to the rear. The TB block was constructed in a unique arrow shape and includes a circular sun lounge/day room at its apex with four bed wards extending to either side of a rear courtyard and service range. The stepped design of the wards, with their large south facing windows and the circular day room and sun balcony, allowed the optimum amount of light to permeate into the building. An open courtyard to the rear of the apex, which was enclosed on all sides by corridors, allowed patients to take air and benefit from sunlight whilst remaining in isolation. Although the building is now connected to the main hospital building it was originally detached. The pneumothorax unit was initially used for chest x-rays, but has since been converted into offices and a chapel. <3>