Pause for a moment and consider the generations of medical students. They all sought knowledge within the walls of Floyer House. This is Floyer House. It stands as a testament to both architectural design and the evolving needs of medical education.
Floyer House serves as student accommodation. It is for Barts and the London School of Medicine and Dentistry. The building’s story began in 1933 and 1934. It was designed by Edward Maufe. L. W. Whitehead constructed it for the London Hospital Medical College.
Initially, the scale was reduced due to the Depression. Despite financial constraints, the building was designed with the students’ needs in mind. The ground floor was for communal activities. It included a common room, a dining room, a library, and a writing room. Students used the upper floors for bed-sitting rooms and shared bathrooms.
Each bedroom had modern amenities. These included a gas fire, a wardrobe, a divan bed, an armchair, and a knee desk. The fifth floor even had two galleried squash courts tucked under a steep roof. The north wing housed the housekeeping staff and a kitchen.
Maufe included nude cherubim on the college arms. He insisted on their inclusion based on English tradition. His design was modern. It emphasized good proportion, materials, and workmanship.
Extensions were added to Floyer House in the late 1930s and again in 1958-1959. N. H. Oatley designed the north wing extension. This provided extra bedrooms and enlarged the kitchen. Sydney Clough, Son & Partners designed the south extension. It was less deferential and more severe.
The south extension had continuous fenestration and a separate entrance on Ashfield Street. Inside, there was a dining hall, a games room, and a hall with a stage. These additions increased the residential capacity to 150 students. Sixteen bedrooms and a separate common room were for female students.
Professor Michael Floyer lent his name to Floyer House. He was a former dean of the London Hospital Medical College.
Today, Floyer House continues to serve its original purpose. It offers a convenient and community-focused living environment. It is a minute’s walk from the Whitechapel library and The Royal London Hospital. There is a charming outdoor courtyard. It provides a perfect space for students to relax.
Floyer House may be old. However, it is well-maintained. The cleaning team is polite and responsive. The location is ideal. It is close to the university, tube station, bus services, and groceries.
While some find the surrounding area rough, the convenience and community within Floyer House remain strong. It stands as a testament to thoughtful design. The design considers the evolving needs of medical students. Its story is etched in every brick and hallway.