Text from Donald Luxton's report.
CREASE UNIT (B21618)Henry Whittaker, Supervising Architect Public Works Department 1930-1934, Additions in 1949
Plans were prepared for the first wing of the Veterans Unit, in 1929, to be used for veterans of the First World War, mainly shell-shock victims. Construction was delayed due to the Depression, and took from 1930 to 1934. Although designed shortly after the East Lawn building, and built at roughly the same time, an entirely different architectural vocabulary was adopted, to distinguish the veterans from the mental patients. Unlike the other buildings on the site, it also presents a prominent face to the outside world, and forms a gateway to Riverview.
The original building was more than doubled in size with the construction of a matching east wing. The plans had originally been prepared in 1944, and revised in 1945, but construction was delayed by wartime building material shortages. The two wings were joined with a new central, arcaded entry which is the architectural highlight of the building today.
On November 16, 1949 the Crease Clinic of Psychological Medicine was opened here. This clinic was conceived as a way of providing psychiatric treatment for mental patients; the idea that mental and physical illnesses could nave the same cause was relatively new at the time. Patients were certified here rather than committed, and the maximum stay was four months. The clinic was designed to care for the earlier, and more hopeful cases, of mental illness.
The structure is reinforced concrete, and in random-coloured rug brick, terra cotta blocks, and precast artificial stone. Projecting decorative balconies feature intricate wrought iron railings. The main central staircase boasts a large Palladian window. The use of symmetrical design, the horizontally banded base, the regular arched windows, the wide overhanging eaves, and the articulation of the facade materials reflect an Italianate influence unusual in British Columbia architecture.
Heritage Analysis
This building defines one side of the Lawn area, and also marks the edge of the Riverview site. It is the most prominent building facing Lougheed Highway. Its most distinctive characteristics are the monumental, symmetrical massing, the central Italianate-influenced entry with double-staircase, the broad, low hip roof forms, and the all-masonry construction.
The front facade is the most prominent landmark of the site. The rear facade marks the edge of the Central Lawn area. The most important heritage elements of the building that should be retained are:
1) The original elements of the front, side and rear facades
2) The roof form, as visible from the Central Lawn area
3) The entry portico and double-staircase
The elements that are less critical for retention are: The steel sash windows
Architectural Description:
The Crease Unit is a three storey reinforced concrete structure with a ground level basement. The roof is hip, and the roof cover is duroid. Although built in two stages, the detailing of both parts is identical, and the join is invisible. The central entry has a double staircase with precast balusters. A broad projecting pantile roof extends over the entry. Large arched windows highlight the top floor. The concrete base has been articulated with horizontal banding. The walls have been clad with random variegated rug brick, ranging in colour from tan to deep red. Terra cotta block cladding has been used at the top of the walls, and is pinkish-orange in colour. The window trim, and decorative wall trim, is of “artificial stone” (precast concrete). The windows are steel sash. Projecting decorative balconies feature intricate wrought iron railings. The main central staircase has a large Palladian window at the rear.
Alterations: Some of the steel sash windows have been replaced with aluminum sash. Two projecting stair towers have been added on the front facade.
Condition: The building is now vacant. General disrepair is evident. There is some deterioration evident in the concrete surfaces at the entry arcade. There are no visible signs of structural damage or failure.
CREASE DINING BLOCK (B21626)Henry Whittaker, Supervising Architect Public Works Department 1930-1934
Located directly behind the main building, this smaller free-standing pavilion was built as the "Veterans’ Unit Dining Block”. It is the companion building to the main block, and is faced in the same palette of materials. The design is simple but elegant, with a central ground level entry, which leads to the dining hall on the second floor. A decorative balcony, with a wrought iron railing, is featured above the entry. It is connected to the main building by an underground passage.
As an integral part of the design of the Veteran's Unit, this dining pavilion equal in heritage significance to the main block.
Heritage Analysis:
As an integral part of the design of the Veteran's Unit, this free-standing pavilion is equal in significance to the main block.
As a free-standing building, the facades have been composed to be seen from all sides. Its most distinctive characteristics are the symmetrical massing, the central entry, the broad, low hip roof forms, and the all-masonry construction.
The most critical heritage elements of the building that should be retained are:
1) The original elements of the front, side and rear facades
2) The roof form, as visible from the Central Lawn area
3) The double-hung wooden-sash windows
Architectural Description:
The building is a free-standing pavilion, two storeys high, symmetrically massed, with a central entry. A decorative balcony, with a wrought iron railing, is featured above the entry. The entry is at ground level, and an internal staircase leads to the dining area on the upper floor. The concrete base is articulated with horizontal banding, and the brick walls match the main building. The trim is “artificial stone” (precast concrete), that matches the main building in detail. The windows are double-hung wooden sash, multi-paned 9/9 on the ground floor, and 1/1 on the upper level.
Alterations: A concrete block addition has been added at the rear.
Condition: Was in use as a cafeteria.(now closed 2006) There is some general repair and maintenance required. There are no visible signs of structural damage or failure.