IT’S NO overstatement to say that both staff and patients of the old Nicosia hospital couldn’t wait to abandon the rundown building opposite the House of Representatives for the more comfy, spacious new buildings in Athalassa.
The move to the new hospital in 2006 may have been four years behind schedule, but the change in environment was drastic and evident for all to see. Bright, wide corridors replaced cramped, makeshift quarters, making for a pleasant recovery.
In terms of image, there’s little competition, at least by today’s standards. The old hospital’s famous protruding pipes gave it more the look of an oversized combustion engine than a top state medical facility.
Which is why recent efforts by the Cyprus Architects’ Association (CAA) to save the old building from demolition has taken the government somewhat by surprise.
The decision was taken some time ago to raze the old building and build a new Cyprus Archaeological Museum from its ashes. But when the Public Works Department issued tenders for the building’s demolition, they found not all were happy to see it go.
CAA general secretary, Stefanos Fereos explained to the Sunday Mail that the hospital was one of the first buildings in Cyprus which imported the Bauhaus (Building School) style of architecture from Germany.
The original main building, before all the extra parts were added, was designed by Polyvios Michaelides. It is the only Cypriot building which featured in the world-known French magazine, L’Architecture d’aujourd’hui. Built in 1939, it is one of few public buildings of the mid-war period.
Fereos argued that before ordering its demolition, the authorities should examine whether the building could be preserved and used as part of the museum or for some other purpose or even as a monument. Or in the worst case, they should ensure that the building and its architecture is properly documented for the sake of history and culture before flattening it.
“Architecture is part of our culture, and documentation of it provides us with knowledge of our culture,” said Fereos, noting that “documentation of architecture stopped in Cyprus at the turn of the 20th century”.
The University of Cyprus will produce its first class of architecture graduates this year, five years after the Architecture School opened.
“Those architects will come out seeking a point of reference as to what is the architecture of Cyprus, but not just the traditional houses. You need to study certain buildings to have consistency so the students know about the architectural identity of the place. You need a steady timeline,” he argued.
Fereos noted that the old hospital was one of the first buildings to implement the principles of Bauhaus architecture, with large glass surfaces and functionality as some of the main tenets.
“Bauhaus was the first school that moved away from neo-classical architecture,” he said.
“Because buildings after 1900 are not registered, there can be no hierarchy of importance to prioritise them. If we believe in preserving at least one building from each architectural movement of the 20th century in Europe (art deco, art nouveau, Bauhaus, international style etc), the Communications Ministry should tell us which building with Bauhaus influence it has in mind, which is more significant than the hospital, which it intends to preserve,” said Fereos.
There’s not just architectural value to think about, said the architect, noting that the hospital had a huge part in the collective memory of Nicosia.
Every Good Friday, hundreds would start the procession of the Epitaph to the Prodromos Street church from the old hospital, giving sick patients first dibs at walking under the Epitaph.
“The building has been altered and changed many times since it was first built. But in 1939, the public embraced the hospital. It was seen as modern then like the new one is seen today.
“Every era has its reference point. We need to preserve, document and study it. For those who didn’t experience it, for historical and cultural reasons. It’s important for us that the new Cyprus museum is built, but don’t raze the building until you study whether it can be used in some other way first,” he argued.
Fereos further questioned the authorities’ decision to upgrade and preserve a number of buildings of questionable architectural value on Metochiou Street on the banks of the Pedieos River.
These buildings will be used to house the Migration Department as a number of Interior Ministry services make way for the new Cultural Centre planned for Nicosia. The CAA member asked why the same preservation efforts were not considered for the old Bauhaus building instead.
Alecos Michaelides of the Public Works Department (PWD) told the Sunday Mail he was shocked to hear the views of the CAA.
“I have to say it is with some surprise that we heard these reactions, because representatives of the CAA participated in the technical committees which promoted the building of the new museum at the site of the old hospital,” said Michaelides.
“It’s been under discussion for years, so we are surprised by their announcement. We don’t want to demolish things, we prefer preserving them, but given that some of these people took part in the study…”
Michaelides said he spoke to the Communications Minister about the issue that has come up and has decided to hold a meeting, inviting the CAA, Town Planning and Antiquities Departments.
“So we can look at the issue and its history so they understand this decision didn’t come overnight. Committees were involved.”
The PWD head noted that maintenance of the old hospital was never up to scratch once the decision had been taken to change buildings. As a result time has taken its toll, while all the additions have made the building lose its original character.
However, Michaelides said he was ready to discuss all the opinions and options available today with the interested parties to see if any changes to the plan should and could be made.
In a hint at where he stood on the matter, the official highlighted that the old building did not have many open spaces to suit a museum. “Did you ever notice the ground floor had a really low roof? That’s because it was originally a parking space under the building which they changed into the ground floor.”
It remains to be seen whether there is any life yet planned for a piece of architecture that started so bright and ended so grey.
