The Architects’ Journal Architecture News & Buildings
‘Care’ is the word that best sums up the winning project, according to our judges. In a closely fought category featuring a wide range of schemes, one judge enthused: ‘The whole project – the finishes, details, acoustics, and clinical aspects – have been done with a great deal of care.’
The project is the world’s first purpose-built paediatric centre for research and treatment of rare disease. In a symbolic location opposite Coram’s Fields – the former site of the Foundling Hospital – Stanton Williams has reimagined the clinical setting as a holistic space where science, city and human lives can come together. The 13,000m2 public-facing research facility celebrates the often-invisible work of researchers.
As one judge remarked: ‘The building is on quite a difficult, prominent site – but they dealt with the context remarkably well. There’s this beautiful double-height space where you can walk across and see the laboratories from the street. That is such a good quality.’
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The scheme’s ‘non-clinical’ architectural language helps young patients and their families through the overwhelming journey through healthcare, creating a calm and dignified environment. With a simple structure, servicing strategies and durable finishes, the building has been designed to accommodate anticipated changes in functional requirements, research programmes and future technologies.
Highly commended: Circle Birmingham Hospital by Bryden Wood
Source:Tim Cornbill
The judges were keen to recognise the success of Bryden Wood’s Circle Birmingham Hospital as ‘a really intelligent, rigorous, whole-project approach, built on best practice’.
Shortlist
- The Alder Centre by Allford Hall Monaghan Morris
- Clatterbridge Cancer Centre, Liverpool by BDP
- Y Bythwn NGS Macmillan Specialist Palliative Care Unit by KKE Architects
- John Morden Centre by Mae
- UCLH Phase 5 – ENT and Dental Hospital by Pilbrow & Partners
Judges
- Nimi Attanayake, co-founder, nimtim architects
- Barnabas Calder, head of Architectural and Urban Research Group, University of Liverpool
- Maggie Mullan, director, Maggie Mullan Architects
- Kevin Singh, head of school, Manchester School of Architecture, and director, the space* studio