Striking Welsh hospital internationally recognised for sustainability
20 July 2009
Nightingale Associates’ stunning new hospital picks up two International Green Apple Awards.
On a recent visit, a journalist described Nightingale Associates’ Alltwen Community Hospital as “stunning” and “unique”. Both its design and sustainability have been acclaimed in recent press reports, with the Architects’ Journal using it as an example of how to achieve effective ventilation in healthcare (26.06.09).
These views have evidently been shared by many, as the new establishment this week picked up two International Green Apple Awards.
Alltwen, which has been open to the public since April, was awarded the ‘National Gold Award’ and the ‘National Green Champion Award’, presented to the Nightingale team by actress, Kate O’Mara. The prestigious awards ceremony took place at Hampton Court Palace on Monday 29th June 2009.
“We are delighted that our commitment to sustainable design at Alltwen has been recognised through receiving these two awards. We are proud to have designed a building that makes such a positive contribution to its local surroundings.”
Tom Withecombe, Project Architect, Nightingale Associates
Alltwen Community Hospital is a £12.8 million new-build development that is situated in the rolling hills of Snowdonia National Park in North West Wales. The hospital was built to deliver a therapeutic environment for patients and staff by exploiting the natural habitat on and around the existing site.
The hospital includes a 30-bed ward, outpatients department, day hospital, minor injuries and radiology unit, as well as a large base for the hospital’s community mental health team.
Unique sustainability features include the use of a bio-mass boiler as its primary natural heating source. The hospital is also built around an internal ‘winter garden’ space, which is integral to the building’s natural ventilation and heating strategies.
The two Green Apple awards came in perfect timing for the hospital’s official opening, by Health Minister, Edwina Hart, last week.
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