1. Healthcare sector
Hot topics, approaches and case studies
The engineering of excellence

2. Buro Happold
Introduction
Modern healthcare buildings need to satisfy a wide range of criteria: they must be constructed Collecting together our thoughts and learning from Buro Happold’s global network, a number
quickly and economically and have a low carbon footprint; they must provide healthy environments of important themes have emerged and they are discussed in this document. As you will read,
that promote recovery, while being able to adapt to future technologies and changes of use. They our thorough knowledge of the complex issues facing healthcare providers – together with our
must also meet stringent requirements for energy performance, infection control, operational technical and creative skills – enable us to design optimal healing environments that meet the
efficiency and inclusive access. needs of 21st century patients.
Achieving these objectives requires innovative thinking, a commitment to good design and above If you have any queries regarding this document, or would like more information on the services
all a practical awareness of what makes the sector tick. With growing evidence that a well thought- we provide, please do not hesitate to contact me. To find out more about our work in this and other
out, comfortable and upbeat environment can have a highly positive impact on patient outcomes sectors take a look at www.burohappold.com and go to news > publications.
– as well as staff morale – the challenge is to create high quality, appealing buildings that are also
Andy Parker
sustainable, easy to construct and economical to run.
Global Sector Director, Buro Happold
As multi-disciplinary engineers, Buro Happold believes that best value can be achieved through the andy.parker@burohappold.com
integration of the structural, environmental and infrastructure elements involved in the design. This
holistic approach is well suited to the specialised demands of the healthcare sector, where technical
advances, new treatments and changes to acute and primary care provision are fast
transforming healthcare delivery.
Front cover: Evelina Children’s Hospital, London, UK Image: Buro Happold / Mandy Reynolds
This page: Robin House Children’s Hospice, Balloch, UK Image: Buro Happold / Andrew Lee
Back cover: Moorgate Primary Care Centre, Bury, UK Image: Miller Construction
2 3

3. Project Showcase
Delivering innovative solutions with
world class architects
Aldershot Centre for Health Pontefract General Infirmary Scottish Centre for Regenerative Medicine (SCRM) Moorgate Primary Care Centre
Aldershot Garrison, UK Wakefield, UK University of Edinburgh, UK Bury, Lancashire, UK
Architect: SR Architects Architect: Avanti Architects Architect: Sheppard Robson Architect: DLA Architecture
Nuffield Hospital Prince Charles Hospital Evelina Children’s Hospital
Leeds, UK Merthyr Tydfil, UK London, UK
Architect: careyjones Architect: David Hutchinson Partnership Architect: Michael Hopkins and Partners
Stanley Primary Care Centre Robin House Children’s Hospice
Stanley, Durham, UK Balloch, UK
Architect: Steffian Bradley Architects Architect: Gareth Hoskins Architects
5
Nanoscience and Quantum Information Laboratory Bluestone Mental Health Unit Cynon Valley Primary Care Unit York University Biosciences Research Facility
University of Bristol, UK Craigavon, N Ireland, UK Merthyr Tydfil, Wales York, UK
Architect: Capita Architecture Architect: David Morley Architects / Hall Black Douglas Architect: HLM Architects Architect: Anshen Dyer

4. The key issues
An overview of our problem-solving
capabilities in the healthcare sector
11 14 20 25
27 28 36 43
8 Optimal environments 18 Adding value 30 Sustainable design 38 Working in partnership
Designing high quality environments Delivering functional buildings that Helping clients to meet sustainability Collaborating with the client and design
suitable for world class healthcare achieve exceptional value targets and create positive working team to create 21st century healthcare
10
Lighting and ventilation: Effective lighting 20
Flexible construction and design: Flexible environments facilities
and ventilation provides comfortable, healthy, healthcare buildings meet present needs while 32 Meeting carbon targets: Applying practical, low 40 Stakeholder and client involvement: Working
low energy environments enabling future changes of use carbon strategies saves energy and reduces closely with clients and stakeholders ensures all
12
Acoustics: Sound is a major factor in creating the 22
Optimising performance: Analysing all aspects emissions patient requirements are met
right conditions for rest and recovery of the building design satisfies performance 34 BREEAM and LEED assessment: Setting the 42 Multi-disciplinary working: Our comprehensive
criteria while providing value for money
13
Controlling hospital infections: Infection standard for best practice in sustainable healthcare range of integrated services adds value to the
control in hospitals can be promoted through 24
Fire safety: The safe management and design design process
good quality, holistic design evacuation of patients in the event of a fire is a 35 Sustainable materials: Using the most
crucial element in hospital design
14
Specialist care environments: Well-designed appropriate materials can have environmental
Healthcare hot topics, approaches and case studies
healthcare facilities have a positive impact on 26
ICT: The need for a robust ICT infrastructure is a benefits and aesthetic appeal
patient comfort and wellbeing vital part of modern healthcare facilities 36 Use of renewable energy sources: Renewables
16
Hospital security: Our specialist security team 27
Refurbishment: Re-use of existing stock can can contribute to meeting carbon targets and
delivers integrated solutions to mitigate security satisfy the demand for services while operating reducing energy costs
risks in healthcare buildings within strict budgets
28
Reducing energy costs in operation: Features
that reduce energy consumption have both
environmental and cost saving benefits
29
Post Occupancy Evaluation (POE): POE assesses
buildings to optimise performance and reduce
energy costs
6 7

5. Buro Happold
Optimal Environments
Improving the healthcare experience through quality design
Research has shown a clear link between the design of healthcare facilities and successful patient
“Our challenge is to provide outcomes. The use of natural heating, lighting and ventilation, acoustic privacy and bright, spacious
treatment areas create a comfortable and upbeat environment for recovery, while reducing
world class healthcare
operational energy costs and improving infection control. Delivering healthcare in ergonomically
designed, accessible spaces also has a positive effect on medical staff, aiding recruitment, retention
and productivity.
environments that promote The growing cost of hospital treatment means that
measures to optimise the internal environment can be
Buro Happold is a pioneer in the use of sustainable
strategies and technologies, including low energy
patient care and aid recovery,
very cost-effective in terms of faster patient throughput, facades, external shading systems, integrated building
reducing the need for drugs and shortening the length services and passive climate control. Working closely
of stay. High levels of daylight – as well as pleasant views with Trusts and other healthcare providers, our engineers
of the outside – have been shown to be particularly and consultants are able to influence all areas of the
while minimising running costs beneficial, helping to alleviate stress and improve
sleep patterns. Openable windows also make a major
contribution to occupant comfort by enhancing air
design to create a balanced environment best suited to
a building’s use, making it more sustainable and easy to
maintain over its entire lifecycle.
and environmental impact.”
quality and controlling summertime heat gains.
Steve Macey
Associate Director, Buro Happold
Healthcare hot topics, approaches and case studies
Image: Nigel Gallagher, Bluepost Photography
Lanchester Road Hospital, Durham, UK
8 9

6. Buro Happold
Creating Optimal Healthcare Environments
Lighting and ventilation
Good lighting and ventilation are essential elements in
creating a high quality healthcare environment that is CASE STUDY 1:
comfortable at all times of year. Post-occupancy analysis
has shown that daylighting and natural ventilation are Built at the site of Guy’s and
also powerful tools in the reduction of carbon emissions, St Thomas’ Hospital, Evelina
in addition to the benefits they provide in terms of Children’s Hospital brings together
patient comfort and wellbeing. the Trust’s paediatric functions under one roof.
The design philosophy behind this landmark
Buro Happold’s approach is to ‘design out’ active systems project was to create a bright, airy and cheerful
wherever possible in favour of passive environmental environment that would aid recovery, while
strategies. Using thermal modelling techniques we providing the client with an efficient and cost-
are able to analyse seasonal temperature variations effective healthcare building. Innovation and
and examine in detail what impact elements such as close consultation with staff and patients was
openable windows, glazing materials, shading systems key to delivering a hospital that is children- CASE STUDY 2:
and blinds can have on air flow, night cooling and friendly and fun: patient care was firmly at
lighting levels. Designed for the use of both civilian
the centre of the design process, with careful
and military personnel, Aldershot
attention given to aspects such as materials,
Centre for Health is the UK’s largest
ambience, facilities and natural daylight.
Primary Healthcare Centre. Catering for around
A stunning four-storey atrium – or conservatory 2,700 patients a day, it provides an enhanced
– forms the heart of the building and serves range of modern primary care facilities and
as a focal communal area for children to play outpatient services. Around 25 user groups are
and meet their families. Daylight is maximised accommodated within the building, all with
through the fully glazed, steel curved roof that individual functional requirements for power,
overlooks a park, bringing the view of sky and facilities, IT, security and future flexibility. The
trees right into the building. Illuminated by design team therefore had to take into account
light from the roof, the atrium provides not just not just the logistics of shared space and
a functional space but also a spacious healing services, but also the need to protect the privacy
environment to promote patient recovery. All and dignity of patients.
Images: SR Architects
the wards overlook the atrium and light reaches
The scale of the polyclinic made it necessary
every hospital bed, so even bed-ridden patients
to focus on a sustainable and energy-efficient
are able to enjoy the view.
building services design that would create an
appealing and comfortable environment for
Healthcare hot topics, approaches and case studies
occupants. The requirements were developed in
close collaboration with staff and future users,
and as a result of this dialogue the 13,000m2
four-storey building was planned around
a central atrium that allows natural light to
filter through the heart of the building to the
Image: Buro Happold / Mandy Reynolds
main waiting areas below. Glass block walls
and open floor voids allow the light to filter
through to the lowest level of the building. Buro
Happold also carried out computer modelling
to assess which of the internal areas – such as
the GP consultation rooms – could be naturally
Evelina Children’s Hospital, London, UK
ventilated.
10 11

7. Buro Happold
Creating Optimal Healthcare Environments Creating Optimal Healthcare Environments
Acoustics Infection control
Sound is a major factor in creating the right conditions Hospital Acquired Infections (HAI) not only contribute This risk-based approach allows us to optimise the
for rest and recovery – a quiet environment reduces stress to increased patient fatalities, they also cost the hospital environment, the provision of hand washing
and is an important part of improving the quality of the health service considerable sums of money that could and sanitary facilities, segregation of high and low
patient ‘experience’. Controlling noise and vibration helps otherwise be used to fund treatments or improve infection risk areas, ward surface finishes, ventilation
to maintain privacy and can even mean that patients need healthcare capability. The main costs attributable to HAI and the control and management of clinical waste.
fewer drugs to sleep. Vibration levels can be a particular include increased length of patient stay – estimated at Throughout the planning process we liaise closely with
issue for laboratory environments, as they may affect the two and a half times longer than that for uninfected the hospital’s infection control team to establish the
accuracy of sensitive equipment. patients – and additional antibiotic therapy. optimum solution that offers the best potential outcome
for patients.
Our specialist acoustics team advises on core issues such Research has shown a clear link between HAI incidence
as room acoustics, insulation, building fabric and facades, and hospital occupancy, cleanliness and ward layout:
as well as the acoustic impact of low energy strategies the evidence suggests that infection control can be
such as thermal mass. Using advanced 3D computer improved through a combination of good design, better
modelling and auralisations to assess the acoustic facilities management and improved clinical hygiene.
environment within a ward or other clinical area – as Using a unique HAI risk assessment tool developed by
well as external noise break-in – we are able to guide the Buro Happold, our team is able to assess the relative
design to help our clients meet the required acoustic performance of alternative building designs with
performance targets. varying infection control risks.
Scanning electron micrograph (SEM) depicting numerous
Image: Liz Eve / fotohaus
clumps of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus bacteria,
Images: Buro Happold
Results of a two-
dimensional Finite- commonly referred to by the acronym, MRSA; Magnified 9560x.
Element model, showing Nanoscience and Quantum Information (NS & QI)
a stress wave propagating Laboratory at the University of Bristol, UK
out from a sharp impact.
CASE STUDY 3:
Buro Happold has been part of the design and laboratories have been designed to
commissioning team for the state-of-the-art provide vibration and acoustic noise
Nanoscience and Quantum Information (NS & QI) performance levels that are amongst the
Healthcare hot topics, approaches and case studies
Laboratory at the University of Bristol. The building lowest achieved anywhere in the world.
is home to an inter-disciplinary research community
drawn from science, engineering and medicine, Buro Happold’s vibration and acoustics specialists
bringing together the best minds in the field of measured and assessed the performance of the labs
nanotechnology. under various conditions. We advised the university
on ways in which the building could be made
The city centre location of the state-of-the-art even quieter, using advanced numerical modelling
laboratory led to various challenges to ensure that techniques to test proposed enhancements and
the building was suitable for the highly sensitive inform the design process. Detailed investigations
equipment used inside. Novel techniques were were carried out into the possible effects on the labs
required to isolate the laboratories from the local when constructing new buildings in the immediate
sources of vibration and acoustic noise, such as vicinity.
traffic, footfall and plant machinery. The scientific
12 13

8. Buro Happold
Creating Optimal Healthcare Environments
Specialist care environments
CASE STUDY 5:
The opening of the Bluestone
Mental Health Unit at Craigavon
was hailed as a major step forward
in the development and modernisation of the
mental health service in Northern Ireland. Built
on a greenfield site within the boundaries of the
local hospital, this modern, low-energy building
has 75 single en-suite rooms which benefit
patient care and create a tranquil, safe, dignified
and homely environment for recovery. From the
“I’m delighted that Bluestone has been outset the design concept was for a building that
blended seamlessly with the landscape in order
recognised with a national design award.
Images: Buro Happold / Andrew Lee
to exploit their combined therapeutic potential.
It’s a tremendous achievement and I’d like
In mental health units it is vital to have an
to congratulate everyone involved.” internal environment that is non-threatening,
Colm Donaghy Chief Executive, Southern Health and Social Care Trust so the entire building is single storey and on
an inviting domestic scale. As the structural
Robin House Children’s Hospice, Balloch, UK and building services engineer, Buro Happold
CASE STUDY 4: worked closely with the architect to help realise
this vision. High glazed panels connect the
Well-designed healthcare facilities have a clear positive Robin House in Balloch is a
interior and exterior spaces, providing views
impact on patient comfort and wellbeing, contributing purpose-build children’s hospice
onto landscaped courtyards, and the unit is
to a better quality ‘patient journey’ as well as promoting which provides care and support for
primarily naturally ventilated. Flexibility in the
efficient operation and performance. Above all, they children with life limiting conditions and their
design ensures that bed capacity can be reduced
must be able to meet the complex health needs of their families. To meet the unique challenges, Buro
in response to future changes, such as a shift
local population and play a pivotal role in the wider Happold’s design team created an aesthetically
towards community-based services.
community. Drawing on our extensive experience in the pleasing structure which blends naturally into its
design and construction of a diverse range of specialist picturesque National Park setting. The elegant The project won a prestigious Building Better
healthcare buildings, we are focused on providing the atrium ‘wave’ roof – consisting of four separate Healthcare (BBH) award in 2008, coming first in
best outcomes for patients and staff in safe, sustainable ribbons clad in plywood – appears to float above the Best Mental Health Design category.
and therapeutic environments. the timber facade, an illusion created by the use
of supporting flat steel plates. Full height glazing
provides an abundance of natural light and
Healthcare hot topics, approaches and case studies
allows views over the surrounding countryside.
Natural ventilation has been adopted wherever
possible in the hospice, with mechanical
ventilation in the deep-plan central spaces and a
displacement strategy used in the seminar room
Images: Buro Happold / Christopher Hill
to maintain comfort and air quality conditions
during peak occupancy. Underfloor heating
has been used in many of the large ‘day’ spaces
such as the central play area and the family,
dining and entrance areas to create a warm,
comfortable environment without the intrusion
of radiators.
Bluestone Mental Health Unit, Craigavon, N Ireland, UK
14 15

9. Buro Happold
Creating Optimal Healthcare Environments
Hospital security
Healthcare facilities have complex security requirements
and are faced with a range of risks and threats to its CASE STUDY 6:
staff, patients and property – especially in ‘frontline’
departments such as A&E and maternity. To mitigate Security was identified as a key issue
the security risks, our specialist security team delivers in the design of new ward facilities
integrated solutions that can typically be tiered from at Prince Charles Hospital, a district
entry to the site to personal safety measures. These hospital serving the North Glamorgan area of
Image: Buro Happold / Alan McAteer
include intrusion detection, access control, baby Wales. After carrying out an initial review of
tagging, ward and external CCTV, swipe card and panic the security measures and existing systems
alarm systems. By working closely with the client and deployed within the hospital, Buro Happold’s
architect we are able to reduce reliance on purely security team proposed a scope of works that
technological solutions and promote safety and security incorporated major mitigation solutions such
in other, non-technical ways, such as providing clear as CCTV, intrusion detection, access control,
way-finding for visitors or ensuring good sight lines from locking systems, off-site communication and
the provision of a control room. The whole
Image: Wilky Healthcare
the nursing stations.
technology platform was then integrated via
a Security Management System to ensure it
operated seamlessly, allowing staff to deal with
security incidents in a more controlled way. Aldershot Centre for Health, Aldershot Garrison, UK
Before design commenced we benchmarked
the existing and proposed solutions against
those used on other NHS projects to ensure best CASE STUDY 7:
value. Having a simple, integrated and easy to
manage front end system reduced the need Opened in 2008, the Aldershot Centre for Health The stringent security partitioning
for security manpower and added value for the was conceived as a joint partnership between three requirements of the Army and the
client in other ways: one of the innovations we local Primary Care Trusts and the town’s 5,000-strong three Trusts required a novel approach
introduced was a ‘baby tagging’ alarm system Army garrison, who occupy a separate 28-bed in- to the system design. After thorough discussions
for the new maternity unit extension, used for patient facility within the building. The challenge for with all parties, Buro Happold’s security specialists
ensuring babies and infants are not removed the design team was to deliver a fully functioning developed a strategy based on shared systems
illicitly from the wards. The system was fully health centre while maintaining the required but on segregated infrastructures. The access
integrated into the access control and CCTV security segregation between the military, public control, CCTV and intrusion detection systems were
systems, with alarms to the local nurse station and medical areas. Not only were there a diverse integrated with a front end security management
and main control room. range of user groups to consider, but also the issue system that facilitated dual control rooms for the
Healthcare hot topics, approaches and case studies
of ‘after hours’ access to specific areas of the building different stakeholders. To maintain security in
for community activities or by medical personnel restricted areas, a sophisticated door entry access
– such as district nurses and ‘on call’ doctors – who system was devised using swipe cards to enter
have to access patient information on a 24-hr basis. departmental ‘zones’ and then individual rooms. In
this way operational needs were met despite the
irregular usage patterns.
Prince Charles Hospital, Merthyr Tydfil, UK
16 17

10. Buro Happold
Adding Value
Getting more from your investment in the long term
Medical and scientific advances continue to re-define the nature and duration of hospital care,
“As a multi-disciplinary as well as the size and layout of healthcare buildings. But with pressure increasing on public and
private funding in the next few years, the need to control construction and operational costs is vital
practice we can add value
on every new development. Together with patient throughput and carbon management, getting
more value from capital investment has become one of the key issues now driving the sector.
and expertise throughout the
Buro Happold is in a unique position to help healthcare Speed of construction and flexibility are both key factors
providers face the future with confidence: our design in modern healthcare design – the way hospitals are
solutions are easily constructed, environmentally operated can change over time, so the building has
responsible, efficient in their use of energy and deliver to be able to adapt to change. To cater for new room
design and planning process, exceptional value throughout the project life cycle. Our
aim is always to be innovative and responsive to client
needs, identifying engineering challenges early on to
layouts and equipment, flexibility is designed into wards
and other areas from the outset, giving users more
choice and reducing future building costs and service
advising on the most economical
minimise risk and future costs. In particular, we recognise disruption. This flexible, value-added approach is also
that hospitals and clinics must be able to meet the applied to the construction process itself through the
demands of changing technology and new approaches use of fast-track methods such as off-site prefabrication.
solutions to achieve the best
to healthcare provision.
patient outcomes.”
Simon Bourke
Group Director, Buro Happold
Healthcare hot topics, approaches and case studies
Image: Bailey Garner
Lanchester Road Hospital,
Durham, UK
18 19

11. Buro Happold
Adding Value St Peter’s Hospital, Chertsey, UK
Flexible construction
Buro Happold is able to add value by designing additional cleanliness and infection control problems. “Moving much of the
healthcare facilities that are both adaptable to future To deliver economical and future-proof solutions
changes of use while being cost-effective to build and we consider key aspects such as flexibility of space construction work off-site
maintain. Flexibility is essential to achieving long-term planning, accessible primary services distribution, the allowed us to expand the
value and lower operating costs – tightly constrained standardisation of structural elements, use of off-site
layouts soon become obsolete and major remodelling prefabrication and the future planning of facilities at St Peter’s with
can be highly disruptive in hospitals, as well as creating ICT connectivity. as little disruption to the
running of the hospital as
possible.”
CASE STUDY 8:
Peter Curtis Capital Projects Manager, Ashford
and St Peter’s Hospitals NHS Trust
The impressive new Stanley Primary Care Stanley PCC and Lanchester Road
Centre in County Durham has been designed to Hospital together form the Durham and
provide a wide range of healthcare services to Derwentside PFI project. Lanchester
the town’s population and the surrounding area Road provides adult mental health and learning
in an appealing and well equipped environment. disability services and has been designed to provide
The structure has been constructed to allow total a safe, pleasant and therapeutic environment for
Image: Buro Happold
flexibility for future re-configuration of room patients. As at Stanley, future flexibility has been
layouts to suit the changing requirements of the achieved by adopting relatively simple structural
healthcare Trust. A long span steelwork frame and systems that are cost-effective and efficient while
a pre-cast concrete floor structure create generous enhancing the architectural concept. The majority
column-free spaces, while lightweight demountable of internal walls are non-load bearing, providing the
partitions form the internal walls. The ease of option to remove certain walls without the need CASE STUDY 9:
moving the walls, coupled with the lack of primary for costly – and disruptive – structural works at a
structure, has resulted in a building that is adaptable later date. Following our initial appointment to deliver together and installed over a series of
to changes of use as well as being fit for purpose. the masterplan for the redevelopment and weekends. Buro Happold completed
reconfiguration of two hospital sites at Ashford the M&E fit-out and the building was
and St Peter’s Hospital in Chertsey, Buro Happold then clad in brickwork and cedar boarding to
provided multi-disciplinary services for a new day create an attractive finish. The whole process from
surgery unit and a two-storey, 56-bed ward block specification to admitting patients into the wards
at the St Peter’s site. The requirement was to deliver took just 12 months – an extremely quick timescale
these buildings on a fast track programme, so the for an NHS project of this nature.
decision was taken to adopt modular construction
Healthcare hot topics, approaches and case studies
as the preferred procurement option. Given the Earlier, Buro Happold had been commissioned
constraints of working in a confined site, it was also by Welsh Health Estates to do an appraisal of
felt that this approach would have less impact on volumetric (modular) construction in the health
the hospital’s day-to-day operation. service. This involved lifecycle costing analysis and
Image: Nigel Gallagher, Bluepost Photography
research into the pros and cons of modular design,
Following tendering and design, the two buildings giving us a clear insight into the issues involved that
were manufactured off-site by modular specialist we were able to put to practical use on this project.
Yorkon, minimising disruption to hospital staff and
patients and removing the need for decanting. The
modular units were driven to the site, then bolted
Stanley Primary Care Centre, Stanley, UK
20 21

12. Buro Happold
Adding Value Pinderfields Hospital, Wakefield, UK
Optimising performance
Drawing on a blend of experience and technical know-
how, Buro Happold delivers fully integrated, safe, CASE STUDY 10:
reliable and sustainable design solutions that satisfy the
specified performance criteria while providing maximum Combining a wide range of
value for money. To achieve a high level of occupant healthcare facilities in one state-of-
comfort – without a corresponding high energy usage the-art building, Aldershot Centre
– we analyse all aspects of a building’s design to ensure for Health is the UK’s largest example so far
that the structure works in harmony with other elements of the new multi-purpose polyclinic model.
in the design, from the building services and passive Situated between the town centre and the
strategies to the facade materials and shading systems. military garrison, the four-storey building is cut
into the hillside creating a main entrance at
first floor level, allowing visitors to navigate up
or down just one level to find the right clinical
department. The site is also heavily wooded, so
a principal design concern was that the project
objectives were delivered in a manner that
avoids damage to the environment while being
as sustainable and energy-efficient as possible.
High thermal insulation of the fabric means that
the predicted energy consumption is below
the government target of 55GJ/100m³/annum.
The building was configured to maximise
opportunities for passive design: a large atrium
in the centre of the building allows daylight to
flood the main waiting hall, while many of the
clinical rooms on the upper floors are naturally
ventilated. Where mechanical ventilation was
required, the M&E design was optimised to CASE STUDY 11:
ensure maximum efficiency: heat recovery is
Due to open in 2010, Pinderfields Hospital and energy targets while meeting the patient
used on all systems, electric motors are high
Pontefract General Infirmary are two new state of comfort criteria set down in the HTMs.
efficiency types, fan and pump motors are
the art hospitals that together comprise a Rooms are naturally ventilated wherever
inverter driven and heating controls are weather
£300 million PFI scheme to transform healthcare possible to optimise the quality of the internal
compensated. Low energy lighting was used
Healthcare hot topics, approaches and case studies
provision in the Wakefield region. The 84,500m2 environment and improve performance, with a
throughout, and a Building Management System
700-bed Pinderfields Hospital will include 17 ‘mixed mode’ approach taken in areas that need
is used to control local conditions.
operating theatres, A&E and specialist units. to be ventilated or cooled for part of the day or
Pontefract is mainly an outpatient facility, with A&E, year. Natural daylighting is combined with energy-
diagnostics and short stay surgery. A sustainable efficient lighting and control systems to reduce
approach to the construction has been taken electricity consumption. Buro Happold also carried
from the outset, utilising methods such as off-site out thermal modelling of the facade and building
fabrication and re-using materials where possible fabric to ensure there is less heat loss, and therefore
in order to minimise waste and conserve natural less energy used up from heating systems.
resources.
Images: SR Architects
The key objective in the environmental design
of the two hospitals was to achieve the required
Aldershot Centre for Health, Aldershot Garrison, UK
22 23