ARCHITECTURE & DESIGN
cementing the Trust’s civic contribution as a centre of excellence. Use of VR
Extensive community consultation was undertaken, with the local community directly consulted in a number of public roadshows, which took place in prominent locations in the city. Alongside plans, visuals, elevations of the building, and physical models, ‘VR’ technology was used to allow people to experience key areas inside the building using Oculus goggles. Feedback and comments were gathered and acted upon, and updates on the design and progress regularly communicated by the Trust using mailshots, the local media, and social media.
Positive reaction
The reaction from staff, patients, and the local community, has been overwhelmingly positive. A sample of these reactions are included below: n “Fantastic place! Feels really relaxing; it’s nice to have such world-class facilities right on my doorstep living in Liverpool. Staff are just brilliant.” – Gerard Bailey, Patient.
n “Coming to work in the new building has given me a boost, and made me more excited to come to work every day. The new facilities make my job easier and more enjoyable.” – Victoria Chekoldina, Biobank administrator, Clinical Trials.
n “One of the nicest hospitals I have seen so far. I like the privacy and the views. I’m sure more cancer patients would like to come here.” – Marius Janciauskas, Patient.
n “The view is spectacular. When you’re coming in for treatments, to look at the view of our beautiful city is just amazing. It lifts the spirits.” – Joanne Dunford, Patient.
Art integration
The integration of art into the fabric of the building was an important component of the Trust’s brief. Consequently, a public art consultant was appointed to develop a public art strategy for the project, and a programme of artworks commissioned and delivered in conjunction with the construction programme.
In addition, a Public Art Steering Group was established – chaired by the Trust’s Chief Executive, and including staff, patients, and Trust representatives – to oversee the role and function of the public art consultant and ensure that the art installations were coordinated and reflected the Trust’s aspirations. The process has proven to be very successful, with seven pieces commissioned throughout a variety of spaces throughout the building, including: n TYA: Rachael Howard: A vinyl
26 Health Estate Journal January 2021
The set-back cantilever over the entrance creates a covered winter garden.
The garden is lined with natural limestone gabions, and filled with natural timber landscape planters.
representation of the writings of young patients.
n LEADING THE WAY: Rachel Howard: Wayfinding motifs.
n TIME-LINE: Arthur Sun Myint with Emma Rodgers: Framed found images.
n WINTER GARDENS TREE: Emma Rodgers: Doves and butterfly sculpture.
n ATRIUM WALLS: Liz West: Vinyl graphic installation.
n QUIET ROOM ‘BLOSSOM’: Lin Holland & Jane Poulton: Screens and images installation.
n LIFT: Leo Fitzmaurice: Atrium suspended sculpture.
The art pieces are a mixture of sculpture, graphics, and found objects and images, which both represent the past and the present, and the future ambitions of the Trust for the new Cancer Centre. Each installation is beautiful and engaging, all contributing to the creation of place and aiding wayfinding.
Sustainability
Sustainability was an overarching aspiration of the project, and runs
through all elements of the design. Relocating to Liverpool City Centre will support green travel to the site. Co- location to the Royal Liverpool Hospital eradicates ambulance use for Critical Care transfers, and enables other shared efficiencies in deliveries, waste management, and sample testing etc. While the location itself provided measurable bonuses, the objective was for the building to be as efficient as possible, utilising sustainable and low or zero carbon technologies to reduce running costs and emissions. BREEAM ‘Excellent’, and a 23.6% carbon dioxide emissions reduction, were targeted. A Low and Zero Carbon technology feasibility study was undertaken by the engineers to evaluate the most appropriate technologies for use at the Centre. This identified that the most appropriate solution would be to connect to the existing site-wide district heating network (steam main), in addition to providing a CHP unit and a roof-mounted photovoltaic array for the building. This combination of technologies was found to
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