NEW BUILD CDC
A selection of interior images from the Wye Valley NHS Trust CDC.
volume, saving approximately 30 per cent of external envelope compared to alternative approaches. That is 30 per cent of the envelope not needing to be purchased, 30 per cent of the envelope not losing or gaining heat, 30 per cent of the envelope not requiring any maintenance and replacement, and 30 per cent of the envelope not driving embodied carbon emissions to construct or deconstruct in the future. The occupancy pattern and specialist equipment used in
the building means that minimising any large heat gains is critical to reducing energy loads. To manage solar gains, the design pushes for computationally informed optimal distribution of glazing, mostly shared between north and south façades utilising an optimised window design. Larger expanses of glass are kept to the shaded north façade. Deeper window reveals as a result of the high levels of insulation deliver beneficial shading of the window glass from direct sunlight, and utilise reflective materials to help bounce the light into the interior of the building. The timber frame construction stores carbon for the building’s lifetime, with reduced embodied carbon emissions compared to a concrete and steel frame. The system also delivers U values with a performance above those required for Building Regulations, and detailing focussing on the delivery of improved levels of airtightness – key to user comfort, minimising heat loss in winter, and heat gain in summer. The habitable rooms in the building are served by
Mechanical Ventilation with Heat Recovery (MVHR) to reduce heating and cooling loads while maintaining a healthy environment within the building. The MVHR unit consists of a high efficiency plate heat exchanger, high grade filters reducing indoor pollution levels, and heating and cooling coils to maintain temperature. There is a photovoltaic (PV) array on the roof to generate low carbon electricity and reduce the amount of electricity imported from the grid.
A distinctive building designed for future flexibility Externally, a black standing-seam metal cladding has been selected as the primary material for the elevations. This provides a contemporary interpretation of the local industrial context, while creating a distinct identity which
aids navigation to the site. As visitors approach the diagnostic and treatment centre, softer timber details become apparent within the outside canopy that extends beyond the building to provide shelter to those arriving. Vertical timber cladding elements frame the main entrance providing a clear destination. Designed around a flexible
chassis, the building has been designed to enable straightforward reconfiguration or expansion over time without complex modifications. This provides the potential for complimentary services to be integrated on the site, as the model of care evolves. The latest diagnostic imaging technologies are located on the ground floor, where the external walls have integrated removable panels to minimise any future service disruption when equipment is upgraded. The inherent stability on the ground floor is also helpful where the equipment’s sensitivity to vibration would otherwise require expensive structural reinforcement to upper floors. The first-floor consulting rooms are of a standard size, so that they can be used flexibly and their use can easily accommodate future changes.
Efficiencies due to modern methods of construction The project’s extensive use of Modern Methods of Construction (MMC) – an approach still uncommon in healthcare settings – formed a core part of the building’s sustainability strategy. This enabled levels of efficiency, precision, and carbon reduction that would be difficult to achieve with conventional approaches. The building was delivered using a fully factory-
produced SIPs (Structural Insulated Panels) superstructure by Innovaré Offsite, with SIPs panels arriving pre-cut and pre-formed. This was supported by offsite manufactured stairs, lift shafts, truss roof cassettes, and floor planks. This offsite fabrication of components enabled higher accuracy, reducing the risk of rework or incorrect installation.
Paul Neep
Paul Neep is an associate and RIBA Award-winning architect at Architype. Combining over two decades of experience with a deep specialism in low carbon and sustainable design, Paul brings versatility to his work, with a belief that architecture should be as beautiful and joyful as it is technically excellent. He is driven by a commitment to architecture that goes beyond performance targets to genuinely enhance the environment and the people within it.
October 2026 Health Estate Journal 141
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