Percy Thomas Architects were lead designers for the ‘New Hospitals’ consortium on the £338m St Helens & Knowlsey Hospitals Redevelopment PFI Scheme, including the strategic redevelopment of the existing St Helens site and its reinvention as a state-of-the-art Diagnostic and Treatment Centre (DTC).

The project brief outlined a desire to minimize travel distances for both patients and staff; and encouraged the exploration of modular design to maximise flexibility.

As a team, we worked consistently with Trust representatives to ensure that desired clinical adjacencies were met and explored ways in which the building design could help to alleviate patient anxiety. Familiar and repeatable internal layouts, supported by clear travel routes and a hierarchical design language, aid intuitive wayfinding.

On development of the brief, the main public entrance evolved into a multi-level atrium space, made dynamic through its tapering geometry and overhanging mezzanines. Running the full length of the building, it defines the key public circulation and accommodates the reception, retail and restaurant areas, along with the waiting and reception areas for the various short-stay clinics.

The team employed a number of prefabricated construction technologies and products. These were manufactured off site and included; M&E plant and sanitary/ bathrooms pods, which were delivered and assembled and fully assembled components.