The Stone complex is the main medical center complex at Stanford University designed by Edward Durrell Stone. It includes the Alway, Edwards,Grant, and Lane Buildings.
From 1913 to 1959, The Stanford University Medical Center was housed in a nineteenth-century brick building on Clay Street in San Francisco. After the 1953 decision was made under President Wallace Sterling's administration to move the medical center to Palo Alto, Edward Durrell Stone was hired to design the new facilities. The Stone buildings included the School of Medicine, research labs, and patient care facilities. His two main design components were interconnected buildings and interior courtyards.
The low, three-story height of the complex, with its many courtyards, columns and covered walkways, emulates the essential character of the central Stanford campus, while the texture, repeating pattern, and color of the tiles remain sympathetic to the rough-hewn sandstone of the earlier buildings.
Stone, though concerned about maintaining a visually interesting environment, also wanted his work to be modern and strong enough to withstand the famous California earthquakes, as well as cool, light, and airy enough to make effective use of the famous sunny weather. Poured concrete adds strength to the buildings, and the patterned grilles keep the building interiors cooler in the summer while allowing natural light to enhance the courtyards and walkways throughout the year.
There are regular walking tours of the Stanford University Medical Center, including the Stone Complex.
, August 12, 2009