Best Private Healthcare Facility win at Building Better Healthcare Awards 2024

Located along the scenic banks of the River Severn, the Three Counties Medical School has transformed a 1965 brutalist concrete structure, originally constructed as a printworks for the Worcester News, into a state-of-the-art medical school that trains future healthcare professionals. Originally designed for the curating, editing, printing, and distribution of local newspapers, the building’s structure posed significant challenges due to its minimal natural light and heavily enclosed layout. GNA’s bold and imaginative approach to the redesign allowed them to not only preserve the essence of the historic building but also reimagine it to meet the needs of modern medical education.

One of the defining features of GNA’s approach was their emphasis on re-use rather than demolition, making sustainability a primary focus of the project. In reworking the building, GNA chose to retain and adapt its exposed concrete structure, as well as its expressive detailing and iconic rooflight forms. By refurbishing the building’s north-facing rooflights, they were able to flood the interior with daylight, a crucial element in creating an inviting and inspiring learning environment. This adaptation preserved the building’s architectural character while also delivering energy efficiency and environmental performance. The upgraded structure now boasts a high-performance exterior that not only enhances energy efficiency but also maximises air-tightness.

The transformation of this once-utilitarian printworks into a modern medical school has resulted in a facility that is both functionally robust and aesthetically distinctive, now serving as a landmark building on the campus. GNA’s design creates a calm, welcoming environment for students and educators, making inclusivity a central theme throughout the project. The architects focused on ensuring that the learning spaces promote well-being and productivity, with adaptable, comfortable spaces that accommodate various teaching methods and foster collaboration.

GNA’s attention to detail and dedication to sustainability are reflected in the project’s achievement of SKA Gold certification and an A-rated Energy Performance Certificate (EPC). These accolades underscore the architects' commitment to delivering not only aesthetically pleasing spaces but also highly sustainable and efficient facilities. Through careful specification, GNA maximised the reuse of existing finishes and materials, adhering to their client’s brief and adding to the environmental value of the project.

The Three Counties Medical School now stands as a testament to how thoughtful design can transform and repurpose existing structures, enabling them to serve new generations with new purposes. By blending the original brutalist elements with cutting-edge performance and a welcoming atmosphere, GNA has created a campus focal point that speaks to both the building’s heritage and its future role in supporting the NHS by training doctors, nurses, paramedics, and healthcare professionals.

Winning the Building Better Healthcare Award for "Best Private Healthcare Facility" is a fitting recognition of Glancy Nicholls Architects' vision, expertise, and dedication to sustainable, adaptive reuse, marking an exemplary milestone in the firm’s ongoing contribution to healthcare architecture.