Health Center

 
Address: Bratří Štefanů 895, Slezské Předměstí, Hradec Králové
Public transport: Poliklinika 2 (5, 11, 25)
GPS: 50.2166475N, 15.8540636E
Date: 1966–1967 (P) 1967–1974 (R)
Architect: Stavoprojekt Hradec Králové (František Steiner)
Builders: Pozemní stavby Hradec Králové n.p., Průmstav Pardubice
Investor: Krajský investorský útvar Hradec Králové
Trail: Slezské předměstí / Silesian Suburbs
11
Object Typology
Health Services, Pharmacy
Health Services, Pharmacy
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The construction of the health center on Rudé armády Street (now Bratří Štefanů Street) had been planned for a long time. The new prefabricated housing estate required proper healthcare facilities, as doctors’ offices were largely scattered at that time. The project, designed by architect František Steiner in 1966-1967, had a construction cost of CZK 35 million.

Built between 1967 and 1974, the health center was intended to provide basic healthcare for 30,000 residents (though Nové Hradecko reported a capacity of up to 55,000) from Slezské Předměstí (Silesian Suburbs), Slatina, Pouchov, Věkoš, Piletice, Rusek, and Skalička. Ultimately, more than 70,000 patients sought care from specialist doctors at the facility. The opening ceremony, held on Saturday, November 2, 1974, was attended by the then Minister of Health Jaroslav Prokopec. At the time, it was one of the most modern healthcare facilities in Czechoslovakia. 

The symmetrically designed complex contrasts vertical and horizontal elements. A six-story central building with large square windows, positioned perpendicular to the access road, serves as a counterpart to the identically oriented high-rise residential block, making it the dominant architectural feature. Two significantly lower, two-story parallel pavilions are connected to the main building by ground-floor corridors, forming a cohesive unit with two atriums. These atriums, originally designed with diverse paving, greenery, walls, and water features, remain in place but are now deteriorating. The building’s façade was brightened by the choice of materials, the placement of the first floors of the side pavilions slightly forward, and the use of plaster in varying shades: the ground floor was painted dark gray, while the upper floors were lighter. 
One entire wing of the ground floor was designated for pediatric care, while the other housed a rehabilitation ward. Some doctors' offices followed a "twin" system, as described in period press reports, meaning they shared a waiting room. This layout was primarily intended for general practitioners, allowing for easier substitution between doctors. 
 
In the vestibule of the main entrance, which featured designer lighting fixtures, a ceramic mosaic depicting a mother and child, created by local artist Bedřich Šimon, was installed. Additionally, an abstract freestanding sculpture was placed there, but it has since gone missing, and its creator remains unidentified. The central building also houses a paternoster, one of only two still preserved in the city of Hradec Králové. The complex retains many of its original features, including the stair hall’s paving, and would benefit from a sensitive renovation that respects its architectural integrity.
 
KJ
 
Monument Preservation

No protection has been registered.

Literature

  • ČERMÁK, František. Vývoj zdravotnických staveb v Československé socialistické republice. Architektura ČSR 37, 1978, č. 9–10. s. 386–430. 

  • Dvacet let Stavoprojektu Hradec Králové. Hradec Králové: 1968 

  • Chlouba našeho zdravotnictví. Pochodeň, 1974, č. 260, 4. 11. s. 1.
     

     

  • K nejmodernějším v republice... Rudé právo, 1974, č. 285, 3. 12. s. 4.

  • TOMAN, František a ZÍDKA, Jan. Sídliště Slezské předměstí Hradec Králové. HradecKrálové: 1973.