In addition to the cells lining both floors there are other rooms intended for communal use. In the early days of Z Ward prisoners uses a rubberised bowl in their cells for ablutions or toilet use. However after complaints about human waste making it's way to the parklands toilets were installed at one end of the wing.
Men's Toilet - Level 1
After speaking to a representative from Beach Energy, the new owners of Z Ward, I was afforded the opportunity to spend a number of hours documenting the Z Ward. I shot over 15 360˚ panoramas of the interior including both levels, individual cells, common areas and the exterior. I will be combining these panoramas into an interactive tour that I hope will go someway to preserving the character and history of this unique South Australian building.
The steel staircase between the ground floor and level 1
Z Ward, the home for the criminally insane, and part of Glenside Hospital, was open to the public, for what will be the last time, today. This is the first of several 360˚ panoramas that I shot in and around the ward.
“Looking North on the 1st floor at the staircase landing”
The Z Ward was originally named L Ward and opened in 1885. The change of name from L to Z became necessary because of the likelihood of misinterpretation with the advent of the telephone ("Hell Ward").
It had two floors with services and recreation areas and several rooms for the supervising attendants. The intent was to provide accommodation for violent and other difficult patients who could not be managed in the general hospital areas.
In August 2014, Beach Energy, a mining company, bought the $7.5 million, 2.14ha Glenside site - which includes Z Ward - to expand its Glenside headquarters. As yet Beach Energy hasn't determined a plan for redevelopment but the National Trust is working with the company in a bid to preserve parts of the interior.
In all my time growing up and living in Adelaide I never knew this place existed.
I arrived early as viewing was scheduled between 9:00 am and 11:30 am and I didn't want to miss out. Approximately 50 other people were there already and at 9:00 am we were allowed into the ward. I spent a couple of hours exploring the building and surrounding grounds and photographed a number of 360˚ panoramas.
When I left the ward there was a line of people waiting to get in that went around the building, out to the road, and extended as far as you could see along the footpath. Apparently, around 3,000 people turned up and it was announced later that the company would be holding another open day.