projects
A single, simple brief T
he designs for a new multi-million pound health centre in Essex have been informed by the town’s
earlier impact on the development of medical facilities. Paul Young of CAMM Architects, who
was behind Lister House in Harlow, told hdm: “We set off with a single, simple brief and worked with the GPs, patient groups, NHS teams and many other professionals to get to this resulting landmark building. “We were inspired by the heroic
period of the Modern Movement and its influence in the New Town Masterplan. “We also went back to the 1938
timepiece at the Finsbury Health Centre to capture some of the social idealism of Berthold Lubetkin. “The final design has been influenced
by those buildings of the early New Town and its pioneering approach to health centre architecture.” The design uses the ‘simple formula’
of a ‘box on a box’ to maximise usable space. “We have brought light and air into
the centre of the building and have used uplifting light colours and rooflights to connect the internal rooms with the sky,” said Young. “We wanted to make people feel
better just by entering the building.” This simple plan allows for easy
wayfinding, and the use of natural light guides patients into the well-laid-out reception area, which is designed to
look more like a boutique hotel than older dark and austere centre, putting visitors at ease.. “Visibility up and through the
building allows for passive surveillance by staff across the whole building, while the white exterior walls and bright- coloured window panels lift the spirts of building users,” said Young. “The oversailing upper floors form a
continuous port cochere around the building, with the thin columns holding the upper floor down, rather than huge stumpy columns propping up an austere lump.” The design team was also charged
with ensuring the building had a minimal impact in terms of its carbon footprint and reduced energy consumption. And the target BREEAM ‘Excellent’
rating was achieved through a package of sustainable technologies including increasing insulation levels and balancing the thermal capacity of the solid structure through the heating and cooling package. As such, concrete slabs ensure the building remains cool in the summer, while keeping the heat in during winter. The inclusion of Tim Shutters' public
art piece, the Magic Jumping Bean, which was inspired by a medicine capsule, was specially commissioned to complete the building. Young said: “The public love the
building; and the setting, in an old, forgotten piece of the ‘green wedge’, has been regenerated into a successful public space.”
www.cammarchitects.com
Flexibility is key
W
ork has begun on a new £4.5m orthopaedic treatment facility in Didsbury, Manchester.
Designed by Sheppard Robson’s
healthcare team and its interior design group, ID:SR, the 10,000sq ft consultation and diagnostics facility is being operated as a joint venture between OrthTeam and Spire Healthcare. Known as The OrthTeam Centre,
the building forms part of a pre-let of Bruntwood’s phase 1 research and innovation building. It is served by a dedicated entrance
and reception area, which provides access to a suite of consultation and examination rooms to one side and a diagnostic suite providing ultrasound, digital X-ray, fluoroscopy and MRI facilities to the other, both focused around open, comfortable patient lounge areas. At first-floor level, a range of
accommodation has been designed to support use by both clinical and administrative staff, centred around an open and flexible staff lounge. Future flexibility has been
incorporated throughout the design, enabling changes to be made quickly and easily with minimum physical alteration or disruption to services and oeprations.. Neil Whatford, associate at Sheppard
Robson, said: “Through careful engagement, a thorough understanding of the principals of clinical process and design, and a creative approach to the specification of materials and finish; it has been possible to create an environment that will serve as a benchmark for this type of facility in the future.”
www.sheppardrobson.com
www.orthteam.com
www.spirehealthcare.com
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