projects
SPECIAL REPORT
Ziemer, “and we knew we could not go over a particular square meterage. “But the building the trust outlined in
its Schedule of Accommodation was too big so our first major challenge was to come up with ways of not compromising clinical services while reducing the size.”
This was achieved in a number of ways. The designers looked at combining
T
en years ago Papworth Hospital bosses were given the opportunity to develop a site on the world-
renowned Cambridge Biomedical Campus to create a new, purpose-built facility for the delivery of 21st-century specialist heart and lung services. It was an opportunity not only to modernise the environment for staff, patients, and visitors; but also to set a new standard for healthcare design. Kirstin Ziemer, a senior medical planner for architects, HOK, explains: “Our starting point, from a clinical design point of view, was based around two of the trust’s documents – its Clinical Output Specification, covering how many people worked there, how they wanted and needed to work, and what they did; and its Schedule of Accommodation, a room-by-room breakdown of activity.”
A matter of size
Using these for guidance, the design team, led by Ian Fleetwood, was able to draw up a basic plan for the proposed site, which sits right in the centre of the campus, adjacent to Addenbrooke’s Hospital. “We had a very-tight site”, said
staff rest and social spaces, which were traditionally departmentally based. Ziemer said: “We talked to staff and worked with the idea that instead of staff areas for every department, if you placed something between adjacent departments then they would have to use these and it would help with collaborative working.” This forward-thinking approach saved the trust 5,000sq m of space.
Finding their way
The next challenge was to look at how staff and patients used and moved through the building.
“Everything we talk about in healthcare design is about easing the patient through a journey which can be stressful,” said Ziemer.
Entry into the building is designed
around two main atria which draw natural light deep into the building. The main reception desk, visible from the entrance doors, provides clear and concise navigation through, either to the second atrium waiting area, or to lifts which go to the upper floors. Journey times from the main entrance to the upper inpatient floors are as little as 80 seconds. Downstairs in the outpatient area, all
clinical and diagnostic rooms are accessed from a single waiting area, overcoming the traditional problem where patients have to visit several different places within the hospital. “Improving the patient journey in this way was a very-important aspect of the design,” said Ziemer.
Getting into shape This approach also informed the shape of the building, which has two distinct forms – a square base at the lower level and an oval on top.
“This was the best site on the campus,” said Fleetwood. “We could have made this the tallest building on the site, but we wanted to do something different. “The square base connects the hospital to Addenbrooke’s, which is important as a lot of patients have other ailments as well and previously they would have to travel across the countryside.
“This base means that as you approach the building there is a similar language in terms of architecture and materials. “Then there is the striking oval shape which creates the upper levels and spans around the base.”
Using this curved form has also helped
to overcome several design issues. Firstly, a more-angular design made
fire safety a challenge. And it impacted negatively on patient observation – which is critical as the trust wanted staff to be able to see at least 60% of patients from the central nursing station on each ward.
Ziemer explains: “Originally we had
more of a rectangular design in mind, but this evolved as we tried to resolve issues around fire safety.
“Instead what we had was a quite- unique design. “There are two wards, North and South, with 42 beds on each side approached from a central link bridge. “Once at the entrance, you move into
the staff base and reception and then into the lounge, if you are visiting, or straight onto the ward if you are a patient. “One of the key design elements was good observation and, using this curved form, we have managed to go over and above what the trust wanted, ensuring 70% of patients can be observed.” The inpatient rooms themselves are single en-suite facilities with the bed located on the corridor side and visibility enhanced through the inclusion of fully-glazed sliding doors. This layout has pushed the en-suites to the back of the rooms.
Fleetwood said: “Usually in hospital
wards you can see the end wall and it makes it seem very institutional. With our design you get a nice window so you can see a view out of the building
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healthcaredm.co.uk
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