Borrowed buildings: Canada's temporary hospitals during World War I

Area of Science:

• Architectural History
• Medical History
• Social History

Background:

• Examining the adaptation of domestic and public buildings into temporary convalescent homes during World War I.
• Focusing on the experiences of wounded Canadian soldiers and the architectural modifications made.

Observation:

• Temporary convalescent homes incorporated domestic features to enhance patient healing.
• Accessibility was a key consideration in the design and adaptation of these borrowed buildings.
• Segregation of patients based on social status and disease was implemented within these temporary facilities.

Findings:

• The use of "borrowed buildings" anticipated and emphasized key characteristics of later hospital architecture.
• Domestic environments were found to positively influence the healing process for soldiers.
• The study identifies three core principles that shaped subsequent hospital design: healing environments, accessibility, and patient segregation.

Implications:

• Temporarily appropriated spaces significantly contribute to the evolving definition and function of various institutions.
• These repurposed spaces served as sites of resistance against established architectural and institutional norms.
• The findings offer insights into the relationship between space, healing, and social structures in historical contexts.