OVERVIEW:
A 60,000sqft, seven storey building with double basement on the artery route between Kings Cross and Camden provides a state-of-the-art community healthcare facility. The site repairs the frontage along Royal College Street linking to the 265,000 sqft mixed use St Pancras Campus by Curson St John for W.RE.

COMMUNITY IMPACT/VALUE:
The bespoke building offers intermediate care (intensive support for patients recovering from hospital treatment, readying them for a return home and independent living). Ian Chalk Architects have designed the building to reflect the origins of early NHS architectural expression. The step-down facility fit-out brief has been formed by BDP and Central and North West London NHS Foundation Trust (CNWL), ahead of our current detailed design and delivery of the shell and core with CField Construction.

TECHNICAL INSIGHTS/CHALLENGES:
The building occupies the full site. Following ordnance identification, our approach to a design led delivery of the A1 fire rated façade and frame had to be innovative. Critical architectural detail was developed in parallel to a top-down approach of ground level slab install, and consecutive basement excavation and upper-level frame delivery.

Central circulation leads to flanking wards and medical laboratories with triple height voids. Careful consideration for working and care environments with high levels of natural daylight and fresh air has developed a high performing envelop, working with façade specialists. Decorative screening also provides technical resolution for roof level planted terraces for both patient and staff benefit.

KEY ACHIEVEMENTS:
Through the detailed design and construction phases, the fit-out for Healthcare enables a collaborative and engaging process with the Trust and the retained high-quality designers.