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Foster + Partners completes first hospital project
Described as a “radical departure from orthodox approaches to hospital planning”, the CircleBath scheme is set into the hills 9km south east of Bath
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The three storey building provides operating theatres, bedrooms, consultation, treatment and recovery spaces, and offers both in-patient and out-patient accommodation. Planned around a central light filled atrium with private consultation rooms leading from it at ground level and in-patient bedrooms arranged around it above, divisions between departments are minimised to ease the stress involved in consultation, treatment and recovery for patients and reducing walking distances for staff.
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The building is dug into its hillside site; public entry is from the road on the north directly into the atrium on the ground level floor. The northern façade comprises dark panelling at the lower levels while on the south, glazing opens out to views over the surrounding rolling countryside.
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According to the architect’s description, the rectangular upper volume and roof appears to float above this recessive skirting and is clad in a reflective lattice of aluminium shingles. Throughout the building, there is an emphasis on natural light and views. Balconies line the building’s northern and southern edges, oriented to maximise views across the surrounding rolling countryside. Commenting on the design, the architects said: “Sympathetic landscaping further emphasises the therapeutic natural environment – an overall approach very different from more familiar hospital surroundings.”
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Details
Architects: Foster + Partners
Client: Circle, Circle/Health Properties (Bath) Ltd
Structural Engineers: WSP Cantor Seinuk
Project Architect: Darron Haylock
Design Team: Spencer de Grey, Paul Kalkhoven, Darron Haylock, Hans-Christian Wilhelm, Ingrid Sölken, Pritesh Patel
Contract duration: 75 weeks
Gross internal floor area: 6,185m²
Services Engineers: Arup
Quantity surveyor: Davis Langdon LLP
Planning supervisor: CSJ Planning
Main contractor: Vinci/Taylor Woodrow Construction
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