Lymington New Forest Hospital, Hampshire
- Client: New Forest Primary Care Trust (now Hampshire Primary Care Trust)
- Principal designer: Murphy Philipps Architects
- Principal engineer: Upton McGougan
- Principal contractor: Rydon Construction
- Contract value: £30 million
About the project
The new community hospital in Lymington has been designed at a human scale that feels approachable, accessible and part of the local community – which, through a series of open days, helped the architects shape its design.
The 96-bed hospital, which replaces out-of-date facilities, features a logical layout around a hospital street spine, with a simple and understandable plan. Art is integrated into the fabric of the building. The spine is open at both ends and two atria form the main entrance and day patient waiting areas. Innovative ward layouts include 12-bed clusters focused around courtyards, bringing natural daylight and ventilation and planting into the clinical environment. This provides a more intimate recovery environment for patients. The orientation of the building contributes to the energy strategy by harnessing low winter sun and avoiding overheating and glare in the summer.
Delivered on time and to budget, it is a landmark building that sets a high standard for the future of healthcare.
Judges' comment
"A delightful, refreshing building with the friendly and humane qualities normally associated with a cottage hospital."