Mid-Century Modern Buildings in Cardiff

11 October 2014

Sully Hospital is one of the few great Modernist buildings in Wales. The Art Deco structure was designed by William Pite, Son and Fairweathers and built between 1932 and 1936. It was purpose-designed for the treatment of TB sufferers – it was partly funded by wealthy mine-owners and the coastal location overlooking the Bristol Channel and the huge windows reflect the era’s fascination with natural light and airy interiors. A pioneering steel-frame construction allowed the architects to incorporate wide expanses of openable glazing in crisp white, non-load-bearing walls. In this respect, the building has similarities with Alvar Aalto’s stunning sanatorium in Paimio, Finland which was finished three years earlier. Sully Hospital was recently converted into flats and is now called Hayes Point. Despite a few dodgy additions and a Magnolia paint finish, it retains an impressive presence and fine sea views.