The Passivhaus standard for building low energy buildings is growing in popularity across the world. When compared to a typical new development, built to UK regulatory standards, Passivhaus demands superior insulation and air tightness, coupled with a mechanical ventilation system, all of which cost extra and can potentially increase build costs. The extra investment can be justified for those with a long-term interest in the building if lifetime costs are considered. Passivhaus is arguably more architectural in its nature than other environmentally focussed design as it focusses primarily on the building fabric, external envelope and organisation with a view to actually reduce the requirement for ad-hoc mechanical systems.
Primary care as an architectural sector is currently one of the lowest incorporators of environmentally focussed design often argued through strategic design layouts required in healthcare and also restricted project finance. Primary care facilities are terminally funded through the government national health service where primary care is understood as a more financially efficient alternative to hospital infrastructure.
Bundred&Goode have been designing predominantly primary healthcare facilities since the company was incorporated in 1991. Initially we working for GP’s on “improvement grant” and “cost rent” projects but subsequently have become involved in numerous primary care projects with third party developers. The practice is currently working across the UK on both 3PD schemes and directly for GP’s who are acting as their own developers.
This focussed design niece places the practice in an arguably individual position for analysis and innovation. Years of experience within a particular sector producing buildings of similar scale, efficiency, cost and design characteristics should allow for innovative speculation.
Practice Director Philip Goode: “If we can utilise our vast portfolio of primary care projects as a study to ascertain new design directives, we can potentially become more efficient and innovative as a practice which we hope can provide our clients with increased productivity, environmental concern and project affordability, and that can only be a good thing for all.”
Core:Collaborators
Student: Myles Robert Sharples – Part Time MA Arch Year 2
University: BCU Birmingham School of Architecture – Kevin Singh & Ian Sheppard Tutors
Practice: Bundred&Goode Architects – Philip Goode Director
Additional:Collaborators
Project Developer: Matrix Reality – Jon Webb Medical Development Director
Services Consultant: ESC Consulting Engineers – James Tickle Associate Director
Cost Consultant: I.G.Humphrey Quantity Surveyors – Ian Humphrey Director
Research Specialist: David Sharp – BCU Passivhaus Certified Designer
Myles Sharples MA arch PT2
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