Arial view of site
 
  Plan of the three courtyards of the original hospital
United Kingdom 17c, 18c, 19c
Greater London    
Royal Hospital Road, Chelsea  
London, SW3 4SR   17thc Sir Christopher Wren, 18thc Robert Adam and Sir John Soane
 
    Military hospital
   
    Convalescent home
  The Royal Hospital Chelsea Guidebook. 1993. Richardson Hariett Ed (1998) English Hospitals 1660 -1948 A survey of their architecture and design. Royal Commission on the Historical Monuments of England. Christine Stevenson( 2000) Medicine and magnificence: British Hospital and Asylum architecture 1660-1815. Yale University Press

History:
The Royal Hospital Chelsea was founded by King Charles II in 1682 as a retreat for veterans of the regular army who were no longer able to serve either through ill -health or length of service. The buildings were designed by Christopher Wren as a series of courtyards in extensive grounds overlooking the River Thames. A similar hospital for servicemen, though of more grand and palatial design, was developed at Greenwich. Both hospitals included separate infirmaries for those who were sick.

The Royal Hospital in Chelsea now accommodates some 360 male pensioners in the original buildings that have been modernised. The hospital includes a museum illustrating its history. The grounds accommodate the popular annual Chelsea Flower Show.

Architecture:
Although the Royal Hospital Chelsea was not strictly a hospital, it has influenced other buildings. It has a strict discipline in form and plan that being ordered and cellular in its form. The first building to be completed was Figure Court which was extended to include the Light Horse and College courts. Some alterations were made by Robert Adam between 1765-92 whilst he was Clerk of Works.

Many of the newer buildings on the outer sides of the west and east courts were designed by Sir John Soane. These included a new infirmary which was destroyed in the war. The infirmary was rebuilt in the grounds in 1961. A social centre was opened in 1985. Figure Court includes the chapel and Great Hall with an octagonal vestibule between. The four storeyed buildings either side of Figure Court house the 'Long wards' where the pensioners live. These consist of a pair of wards arranged back to back with a line of 'berth's or cabins running down the inner side. These were originally only 6 feet (1.8 m) square although they have been enlarged recently to 9 feet by 9 feet (2.7 by 2.7 metres). The hospital was designed with formal gardens including a water garden and orchard that were destroyed when the River Embankment was made in the late 19th century. A pleasure garden was laid out by J. Gibson around 1860.

 

Histoire :
L'hôpital royal de Chelsea, fondé par le Roi Charles II en 1682, est un hospice pour les vétérans de l'armée régulière qui ne pouvaient plus servir (malades ou trop âgés). Le complexe est conçu comme un ensemble de bâtiments et de cours situés sur un vaste terrain faisant face à la Tamise. Un hôpital pour soldats, semblable malgré une conception plus grande et palatiale, a été construit à Greenwich. Les deux hôpitaux comprennent une "infirmerie" séparée pour les soldats malades.

L'hôpital royal de Chelsea accueille aujourd'hui environ 360 pensionnés dans les bâtiments d'origine qui ont été modernisés. L'hôpital abrite un musée illustrant son histoire.

Architecture :
Bien que l'Hôpital royal Chelsea ne soit pas strictement un hôpital, il a influencé d'autres bâtiments. Le premier bâtiment terminé fut Figure Court, agrandi pour inclure Light Horse et College Courts. Quelques changements ont été opérés par Robert Adam entre 1765-92, lorsqu'il était en charge des travaux.

Plusieurs des bâtiments plus récents sur les côtés extérieurs des cours Ouest et Est ont été conçus par John Soane. Ils comprennent une nouvelle infirmerie (détruite dans la guerre, et reconstruite en 1961). Un centre social a ouvert en 1985. Figure Court inclut la chapelle et le Grand Hall, avec un vestibule octogonal entre les deux. Les bâtiments à quatre étages, de chaque côté de Figure Court, abritent les grandes salles où vivent les pensionnés. Les grandes salles sont aménagées d'une série de "box". Ceux ci ne faisaient initialement que 6 pieds (1,8m) de côté. Ils ont été récemment agrandis à 9 pieds (2,7 m de côté). L'hôpital comportait des jardins formels : jardin d'eau, verger, détruits lorsque le remblai du fleuve a été créé au 19e siècle. Un jardin d'agrément a été dessiné par John Gibson vers 1860.


 
typologie