Key Development in Ireland, Europe

15 Jan 2010 Ballymena Health and Care Centre The collaborative architectural team of Keppie Design and Gareth Hoskins Architects have submitted proposals for planning approval for a new £14M Health and Care Centre in Ballymena. The Centre is the first in a series of new healthcare projects the two practices have been appointed to design for the Northern Health Trust through the PCCI Framework for Northern Ireland Health Estates. The new Ballymena Health and Care Centre brings together a wide range of primary, intermediary, diagnostic and community health facilities serving the town of Ballymena and the wider Northern Trust catchment area. The new building occupies a prominent position along the street frontage of the existing Braid Valley Hospital site. The departments are split across 2 floors organised around an internal atrium and an open courtyard, with a third floor of Trust services and office accommodation above. The main diagnostic suites including x-ray, physiotherapy and dentistry are arranged on the ground floor opposite children's services and pharmacy and community areas that require access beyond the core departmental hours. The first floor is split into 2 zones; the first groups 7 GP practices around the central atrium, alongside a large shared treatment department, whilst the second accommodates a large suite of sessional outpatient and mental health departments around the courtyard. The atrium acts as a main arrival and reception space providing clear orientation and circulation to the different departments. The atrium and courtyard also act as main elements of the BREEAM excellent sustainability strategy for the building, allowing natural daylight and ventilation to reach the large number of cellular spaces that make up each department. Ballymena Health and Care Centre - Building Information Client: Northern Ireland Health Estates & Northern HSC Trust Design Team: Keppie Design & Gareth Hoskins Architects WH Stephen Waterman Group Wallace Whittle The Paul Hogarth Company Ballymena Health & Care Centre, Northern Ireland images / information from Gareth Hoskins Architects