Echelon Plan Institutions
Echelon - 1880 - 1932. Largely superseded the Pavilion plan of Asylums in all but the Metropolitan and Lancashire Asylums Boards. Its sudden rise in popularity being the arrangement of wards, offices and services within easy reach of each other by a network of interconnecting corridors. Typically forming a triangular, trapezium or semi-circular format.
Broad Arrow 1880-1890[edit]
The earlier form of echelon plan consisting of the typical layout with services and wards (segregated by sex) located on a wide spreading complex. Broad Arrow wards were essentially detached pavilion blocks linked by stubby corridors to the main corridor network. Coney Hill (Gloucester 2nd) by Giles and Gough would have been the first had it been completed to plan. High Royds (Menston, West Riding) 1888 by J. Vickers-Edwards was probably the best example.
Compact Arrow 1890 - 1932[edit]
This plan revolutionized the construction of Asylums and Mental Hospitals and was probably the most practical type devised. The linking corridors of the Broad Arrow were retained, but instead the ward blocks 'hugged' the main corridors rather than being placed away from them. Ward blocks could be either interconnecting or distinct from each other. Typically these wards would give the appearance of a zig zag as they were stepped along the main corridor. As in previous designs, male and female workplaces would be located on their respective sides with shared services and offices occupying the center. (Andrew Roberts)
