Great Ormond Street Hospital Wins NLA Caring Prize

Pell Frischmann is delighted to announce the Zayed Centre for Research into Rare Disease in Children scheme has won New London Award’s Caring prize.

Working alongside our partners at Stanton Williams, Skanska, and Great Ormond Street Hospital, Pell Frischmann provided Civil, Structural and Geotechnical services for this world-class, eight-storey hospital and research centre which aims to find cures for rare diseases in children. The key features of the scheme itself includes an open-plan 140-bench research laboratory, designed for the mass manufacturing of new medicines and treatments. Located on the lower-ground floor with a glass pathway alongside the building, it allows open transparency for the public to view hard-working scientists and technicians, as well as the natural light to permeate.

The scheme took great inspiration from the surrounding conservation area; the Zayed Centre exposes 75% of its concrete, contrasting to most-new-build schemes, which enables the highly recognisable façade. Functionally too, the exposed concrete design allows thermal mass improvement, thus requiring less energy. The building cools in the summer and insulates to retain heat in the cooler winter months – this contributed to the BREEAM Excellence of the scheme.

Dominique Alba from NLA’s International Jury commented: “They made a big effort in terms of climate and sustainability; that is not very easy with this sort of equipment. It’s not easy to have that sort of quality”.

Sector Director Jonathan Childs commented: “To see the other schemes shortlisted in the ‘Caring’ category demonstrates the phenomenal work on healthcare facilities in the industry. The Pell Frischmann Team is incredibly satisfied to be associated with such a unique project, working closely alongside our partners to create an area for the scientists, doctors and nurses to work, and for the children to feel safe”.

A video of the project, including interviews with architect Stanton Williams and client Great Ormond Street Hospital can be seen on NLA’s website here.