Arquitetura hospitalar em Salvador - BA no século XX : uma análise tipológica

Abstract

The 20th century was a period of great importance for the development of hospital buildings in the West. Hospitals underwent several changes, especially in terms of their physical form. These changes were influenced by technological advancements and the diversification of medical specialties, as well as the institutionalization of healthcare. In the 19th century, hygienist theories contributed to the consolidation of the pavilion typology in Brazil, which extended into the early 20th century. During the 20th century, hospitals began to specialize, keeping pace with technological advances and the modernist style of the time, transforming into true “healing machines.” The architectural types evolved accordingly and were classified by scholars in the field as “vertical monoblock” and “mixed.” In addition to these, the sanatorium type, aimed at the treatment of tuberculosis, presented specific characteristics, blending elements from previous typologies. In Salvador, public policies played a significant role in the construction of the hospital network. However, it is worth highlighting the limited number of hospitals that were built and managed with public funds, especially in the first half of the century. During this period, philanthropic institutions played a fundamental role. With the support of doctors and members of the social elite, these entities contributed to the creation of healthcare facilities in the city, filling the gaps left by the State.Through historical research, this work addresses the topic of hospital architecture, highlighting the context in which hospitals adapted to the advances in medicine, architecture, and engineering. The study focuses on public hospitals in Salvador built throughout the 20th century. The main objective of this research is to analyze the typology of public hospital buildings constructed in the city of Salvador during the 20th century, emphasizing the international influences that served as references for the development of the projects. Specifically, the study looks at the Professor Edgard Santos University Hospital (HUPES) and the Roberto Santos General Hospital (HGRS), which were notable for their use of the “vertical monoblock” and “mixed” types, respectively, in the state capital.To achieve the proposed objectives, a literature review was conducted using articles, dissertations, and theses available in virtual databases, as well as a survey of hospitals built in Salvador during the 20th century, based on records from the National Registry of Health Establishments (CNES). It was found that hospital architecture in Salvador followed international trends in hospital typologies, with examples of all researched types constructed between the late 19th century and the end of the 20th century. Furthermore, it was concluded that architectural types can be adapted (according to the context in which they are implemented) and used in different periods.