Leading contractor Bouygues UK has been awarded the contract for Cambridge Children’s Hospital, a revolutionary facility poised to transform healthcare for young people. In partnership with Arcadis, Terrell International and AECOM, Bouygues UK is set to deliver a hospital that will provide unparalleled care for children in the region, encompassing both physical and mental health services, alongside research, in a way no one has before.
Cambridge Children’s Hospital is designed to be a world-first facility, pioneering a comprehensive approach to children’s health by integrating physical and mental health care seamlessly. Through this integrated care model, the hospital will enhance its focus on research into the prevention and early diagnosis of diseases, ensuring the best possible care for children and young people, including those with cancer.
The hospital spans approximately 35,000 square meters over six primary floors, targeting BREEAM Excellent certification and aligning with the NHS’s Net Zero Carbon (NZC) objectives. Bouygues UK’s commitment to sustainability is demonstrated in the design, employing Air Source Heat Pumps and photovoltaic cells to meet these stringent targets.
A purposefully designed building, Cambridge Children’s Hospital is being co-created with valuable insights from young people, families, and healthcare professionals. This collaborative design process ensures that the facilities are tailored to meet the unique needs of children and young people. By integrating facilities wherever possible, the hospital recognises the reality that many children with mental health conditions may also experience physical health challenges, and vice versa. This integration will enable healthcare staff to provide better, safer, and age-appropriate care within high-quality, fit-for-purpose facilities, fulfilling the needs of children, young people, and families.
The building has been designed by Hawkins\Brown in partnership with White Arkitekter. The architectural vision incorporates a mix of unitised and stick cladding systems, featuring Glass Reinforced Concrete (GRC) panels, vertical terracotta fins, and picture frame details, presenting a modern and welcoming aesthetic. The landscaping plan supports environmental sustainability with a northeast car parking area, a dedicated cycle store for 190 bicycles in the southwest corner, and play areas designed for therapeutic and recreational use.
Philippe Bernard, Chair and CEO at Bouygues UK said, “We are honoured to lead on the construction of this pioneering project which embodies our commitment to innovation, sustainability, and building for life. We look forward to working closely with all partners to bring this groundbreaking vision to life, setting new standards in healthcare for children.”
Matt Allen, Director of New Hospital Construction at Cambridge University Hospitals, said, “We are delighted to be working with Bouygues UK. This is a major milestone in the journey to deliver Cambridge Children’s Hospital.
“Bouygues UK are a first-class contractor with proven expertise in building and delivering excellent healthcare infrastructure within a collaborative environment makes them an ideal construction partner to deliver such an important project.
“Together we can now get straight down to work in finalising our design and plans and ensuring best value for money under an initial pre-construction services agreement.”
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