The new hospital is located on the south coast of the UK and has been developed on a brownfield site. The project involved the demolition of an existing Arts and Crafts-era hospital building, a 1970s health centre (which has been retained), and a number of temporary structures that had been added over various periods.

 

The new hospital was conceived with clinical functionality as a primary driver and was designed to be fully compliant with the brief. It supports the delivery of modernised healthcare services and aims to serve as a catalyst for improving the efficiency of healthcare delivery.

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The design process placed strong emphasis on defining the hospital’s character from the outset. This identity was reinforced through the layout, the thoughtful selection of materials, and the scale and relationship of internal and external spaces. Public, clinical, and administrative areas are distinctly separated, allowing each to be tailored to its purpose while also ensuring long-term adaptability. For example, outpatient departments were planned to be efficient, flexible, and future-ready, supporting contemporary and emerging models of care. In contrast, inpatient areas have been given a softer, more restorative character, reflecting the slower pace and rehabilitative focus of these spaces.

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A simple and legible ‘L’ shape layout was developed to make navigation intuitive and to support mental mapping for users. At the same time, the design reinforces privacy and dignity through a clearly established hierarchy of spaces, transitioning from public to private zones. This approach is applied consistently throughout the overall site plan and within individual departments and clusters. The building massing responds to its urban context, with the hospital being primarily two storeys high, incorporating some three-storey elements to integrate with the surrounding town centre.

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The external elevations are a reflection of the building’s internal organisation, ensuring appropriate levels of privacy for patients, staff, and neighbours. These façades were influenced by contextual considerations, long-term maintenance requirements, and planning constraints, but also by the desire to create an open, welcoming architectural language. The careful provision of views, natural daylight, and the considered use of colour support an environment that enhances the patient experience and contributes to healing.

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The design communicates the principles of modern healthcare through its architectural expression. Light and views are fundamental to this vision, as they are recognised as key elements in creating therapeutic and uplifting environments. The development of the corner entrance block was given particular importance, acting both as a functional gateway and as a striking visual feature that adds vibrancy to the streetscape.

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The completed hospital delivers environments that are calming and uplifting, especially in the public realm. A number of special, thoughtfully designed areas provide moments that elevate the user experience and promote well-being. Importantly, the design also gives careful consideration to the needs of staff, recognising the crucial role they play in patient care and the overall success of the hospital.