DESIGN & CONSTRUCTION ‘‘


To align with adjacent buildings and protect light and sight lines, the building itself is stepped back across its section and split into two corresponding blocks – the ‘L’-shaped main block, and the smaller ‘Courtyard’ block, connected by a spacious atrium


the cavity, and reduces the need to clean the blinds. Manifestation / screening to the glazed atrium and bridges provides colour hints in line with the interior design strategy, adding to the overall calming aesthetic internally.


Fitting into its surroundings Extensive consideration was given to making sure the new building would sit comfortably within its surroundings, and would be a welcome new addition to the high-profile Bloomsbury Conservation Area. The new facility is contemporary and innovative, and sensitive to the local vernacular and the existing Portland stone cladding of neighbouring buildings. The project is designed to have a positive impact on the urban block where it is sited, that was in part previously derelict for many decades, with a scale, massing, and façade alignment, that respects and restores the well-established city grid. The façade system itself reduces the apparent bulk of the building, and allows it to sit comfortably with adjacent listed buildings. While the muted colour choices for the high performance aluminium, the veiled façade sits well with the stone and brick buildings nearby.


An engaging backdrop The building facade is articulated to provide an interesting, engaging, and suitable backdrop to the listed buildings, and to contribute positively to the Conservation Area and the activity on Tottenham Court Road. Its mass is ‘pushed’ back at ground floor level to activate the street frontage. The veil is pulled forward to provide privacy screening and façade maintenance access. The roof steps back discreetly at Level 5 to minimise perceived mass. The building is broken up in elevation with the expression of stair towers, entrances, bays, and sub-division of bays. The façade articulation reflects the nearby Rosenheim Building’s bay. The requirements for external facade


treatment for the ‘body’ include the provision of natural daylight and controlled views in and out, while being easy to clean, for infection control, with minimal invasion and disturbance of bedroom operation for maintenance and replacement.


A ‘natural garden’ theme The choices of material, colour palette, motifs, and artwork, are guided by a ‘natural garden’ theme, designed to


complement the complex therapeutic facilities and aid wellbeing and recovery by creating a calming and uplifting environment. The design embraces the principles of direct visual access to natural daylight, natural materials, and natural landscapes, through a series of planted terraces intended to flower year-round to provide peaceful settings for recuperation. There are four roof gardens – courtyard, courtyard roof, top of atrium, and roof,


some of which have controlled access for hospital amenity space, with some landscaped, but not accessible. These gardens aim to be visually pleasing to patients, visitors, and staff, as well as neighbours. The ‘controlled access’ Courtyard


roof garden is accessible to visitors, patients, and staff, while the Atrium roof is accessible for fifth floor patients. As well as providing visually pleasing outlooks, these planted areas help the biodiversity, combat the urban heat island effect, and reduce the problem and rate of surface rainwater run-off. The building was a winner in the BALI (the British Association of Landscape Industries) National Landscape Awards 2021. The PBT equipment provider was Varian, with the chosen system a Varian ProBeam.


Edward Williams


Edward Williams is an architect, and runs his own practice, Edward Williams Architects, with his partner Laura Carrara-Cagni, in West London. He established the studio in 2011, after nearly 20 years at Hopkins Architects, where he was an equity partner and involved in key projects including Glyndebourne Opera House, Ickworth House Refurbishment for the National Trust, Goodwood Racecourse, Wellcome Trust Offices, Library and Exhibitions, the Princeton University Chemistry Faculty Building in the US, and the Macmillan Cancer Centre at University College London Hospitals. The


studio specialises in high-profile, complex, sustainable projects for leading clients both in the UK and internationally, and is currently working on major healthcare, residential, and mixed use projects and masterplans in the UK and abroad. Edward Williams has also served as the RIBA’s Honorary Librarian (2012-2016), and Chair of the RIBA Library Committee, which has responsibility for the oversight of the British Architectural Library, the leading architectural library in the world. He sat on the main Board of the RIBA, and the Institute’s British Architectural Trust Board, and was a trustee and Council Member from 2012-2018. From 2002 to 2010 he was a board director and trustee of Bedales Schools, where he chaired the Buildings Sub Committee, and oversaw a major architectural competition and successful, award-winning, development for the school.


Sheila Carney


Sheila Carney is a director of Scott Tallon Walker Architects specialising in the Healthcare and Science & Research sector. She has over 34 years’ experience with the practice, successfully leading the full range of multidisciplinary services, and now leads its UK office. With ‘a distinct focus on delivery of innovative and complex healthcare and science-research projects’, her experience of working collaboratively, in framework partnerships, gives her ‘an invaluable understanding of the strategic issues facing leading healthcare clients’. The practice said: “Her depth of experience brings added value in dealing with multiple personalities and managing the interactions of our large project teams, including at Trust management level, in Estates teams, with clinical leads, patient user groups, operational and support teams, infection control and FM staff, and external stakeholders such as regulatory bodies and research and education partners. She has presented at the Healthcare Estates Building Forum, the International Proton Therapy Congress, and the UK-China Oncology Congress, and plays an active role at Architects for Health.


June 2022 Health Estate Journal 67


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