Royal Stoke Hospital, Stoke-on-Trent

Royal Stoke Hospital, Stoke-on-Trent

Stoke-on-Trent

Masterplanning and urban design

Colour: Urban Design Limited

University Hospital of North Midlands NHS Trust

North Staffordshire NHS Trust (now called University Hospital of North Midlands NHS Trust) sought a new masterplan for the City General campus that consolidated two existing hospitals, incorporated new medical buildings to replace old; clear and accessible vehicle and pedestrian circulation and 2000 car parking spaces within a landscape setting. Colour was brought into the design process as a ‘differentiator’ for the redevelopment of the £440 million masterplan, completing a bid-winning team. The scope was re-organisation of the 24 hectare campus based around three principal spaces with Colour leading the development and design of the landscape strategy and masterplan coordination – a highly complex role given the multiple phases of demolition, construction, evolution of the brief and the requirement to keep the hospital operational at all times. All services were followed through to detail design and construction supervision on site. Components to integrate: • Outpatients arrival space • Inpatients arrival space • Sheltered drop-off provision with requirements for ambulances, buses, taxis, private cars, accessible bays and pedestrians • Visitor and staff parking strategy • Children’s centre • Maternity centre, courtyard and external play • Cancer care centre treatment courtyards • A&E facilities, with helipad • Central cleaning department • Energy centre with servicing and fuel store requirements

Winner Landscape Institute Awards 2016

Landscape practice: Colour; client: University Hospital of North Midlands NHS Trust; equity provider: John Laing Social Infrastructure; FM provider: Sodexho/ Project Co; contractor; Laing O'Rourke; quantity surveyor: Cyril Sweett; architecture: Ryder HKS; civil and structural engineering: WSP; traffic engineering: Scott Wilson/URS; planning consultant: GVA Grimley; planting supplier: Jacksons Nurseries

2014

24 ha

'£2.8 million

The requirements were highly complex, utilitarian and in competitive context. Our philosophy and intention was simple – to connect patients with nature through integrating landscape, architecture and circulation. Colour developed Dr Roger Ulrich’s globally replicated evidence that patients with green views recover faster than those without, require less strong drugs, less frequently and perceptions of treatment improve. Stress could also be reduced through interaction with nature, and staff retention improved. We created departmental specific models and applied to car parking, welcoming arrival and circulation that set the hospital experience and combined with smooth functionality to minimise stress. To creatively and consistently interface with nature, we liaised closely with clinicians and set out : • Inside-outside experiences that brought nature deep indoors • Strategic green movement routes including covered walkways • Gardens for break out, contemplation and recreation for patients, staff, friends and families • Green views for people spending long periods of time such as wards, dialysis and oncology The Colour strategy gave authenticity and identity to the 3 organisational spaces of the campus in a π (Pi) shape around which buildings were organised : - The Parish Green Formal, incorporating listed buildings, protected trees and leading to an understated but clear Inpatients’ arrival. - New Hospital Gardens Intuitive wayfinding; strongly directional space with the serpentine wall, from new car parking to the heavily used - Outpatients’ entrance (7,000+ users / day). A welcome to provide confidence of precision comforted by nature. The contemporary contemplation garden is set in the sun. Planting has strong seasonal interest, scent and colour. Lighting makes the space inviting and safe during darkness. Gardens are aligned to provide views out from the 2nd floor restaurant. - Gallery Gardens, The cross piece of π is a continuous inside-outside green spine across the site. It connects In- and Out-patients, a bus stop on the A34, accessible or visible gardens associated with internal glazed gallery circulation and a covered walkway to parking zones to the north. Colour delivered all work stages from inception to completion, regularly engaged with the Trust and practitioners, gained agreements and crucially became ‘custodians of the masterplan’. This safeguarded delivery of the external landscape through coordinating engineering and contractors during 274 phases over 10+ years. The Trust steered on functionality. Contractor and QS advised on costs. Colour managed the landscape budget accordingly.