Major Healthcare Development in Dublin, Ireland

CHILDREN'S HOSPITAL OF IRELAND NBBJ Architects and Murray O'Laoire/Brian O'Connell Associates appointed to design the new Children's Hospital of Ireland, a milestone national healthcare project November 12, 2009 - An Taoiseach Brian Cowen (Ireland's Prime Minister) has announced the selection of Dublin-based Murray O'Laoire / Brian O'Connell Associates and the London studio of leading international firm, NBBJ Architects, to design the new Children's Hospital of Ireland in Dublin and Ambulatory & Urgent Care Centre at Tallaght. The three architectural practices will collaborate on the design of these landmark healthcare facilities which are part of a new HSE initiative for the cohesive delivery of healthcare for children in Ireland. A glimpse of the proposed Therapy Park - a sky garden central to diagnostic + treatment and patient areas of the new Children's Hospital: Minister for Health and Children, Mary Harney says, "There is no more important building in the health area than this project. It is a priority for funding and funding is provided in the capital plan". The Children's Hospital of Ireland will be a Child Centered facility offering world class health care, education and research. Amalgamating the services of three existing children's hospitals, it will comprise a 400 bed main hospital in the heart of Dublin city, and an Ambulatory and Urgent Care Centre in the Southwest suburb of Tallaght. These leading-edge facilities will provide a full range of clinical, teaching and research specialties in an environment that is fully supportive of children, young people and their families and staff. Meeting these high expectations in a 100,000sqm building on a busy urban site near the centre of Dublin, and a 10,000sqm facility in the suburbs will challenge the architects' experience of children's hospitals and innovative thinking about sustainable urban design. As part of the commission, the architectural team will also develop the design for an adjacent Maternity Hospital as well as an additional Maternity Hospital and Ambulatory Care / Urgent Care Centre at Tallaght which serves patients southwest of Dublin. David Lewis of NBBJ architects, says, "These projects offer a wonderful opportunity to advance the art and science of healthcare facilities for children." Children's Hospital of Ireland images / information received 121109