Plans for state-of-the-art breast care unit revealed (From Evesham Journal)

Plans for state-of-the-art breast care unit revealed

6:00pm Thursday 16th February 2012 in News

Worcester-based practice KKE Architects has been commissioned to design the new breast unit at Worcestershire Royal Hospital.

The unit will represent a one-stop shop for all breast care patients in the county and has has been designed with both their clinical and emotional needs in mind.

Services and clinics were spread out through the main hospital over several different floors and even across the county. The rooms at the Royal lacked the privacy which will be a feature of care at the new unit at 220 Newtown Road, near the hospital’s Charles Hastings Education Centre.

The new design will upgrade the outside walls of the building and replace all the windows to save energy while the whole interior will be completely redesigned.

KKE Architects intends to create an interior feel that is less clinical than in the main hospital, with colours and materials chosen to make people relax and feel as comfortable and welcome as possible.

KKE Architects’ director Vincent Kirk said the building would incorporate green technologies including a green roof, photovoltaic panels, super insulation, and possibly rainwater harvesting too.

“It will be all about daylight coming in and good views going out,” he said.

“The design team will be looking to create gardens around the building which border Nunnery Wood, offering patients, staff and visitors a very private garden space for relaxation and contemplation.”

The landscaping is part of the overall brief and will be under the direction of KKE Architects’ director and 2011 Chelsea Flower Show gold-medallist garden