'Sunray' Sanatorium

Abstract

Main building, external spiral staircase to upper level; The Diamond Workers Union, a social democratic group commissioned the Zonnestraal Sanatorium from the firm of Bijvoet & Duiker, completed primarily by Duiker. The tuberculosis sanatorium, which was located in a wooded area outside Hilversum, was innovative in its approach as well as in its radial layout. Intended not only to heal the inmates but to teach them new skills, it incorporated workshops as well as light-filled individual rooms for the patients and medical and administrative facilities housed in separate pavilions. Zonnestraal’s exposed reinforced concrete structures painted white with elegantly detailed glass walls embodied Duiker’s announced goal of "a light, sunny architecture executed with a minimum of materials" (quote, 1932). Heliotherapeutic Architecture (Light therapy) was used before the discovery of the cure for tuberculosis. Because of the amount of glass, the building also had a cooling system, unusual for its time. The sanatorium complex comprises a main building, two pavilions with angled wings, workshops and servants' quarters. Hubert-Jan Henket and Wessel de Jonge led the 15 year restoration plan (1995-2010). Source: Grove Art Online; http://www.oxfordartonline.com/ (accessed 8/1/2014