Architecture + Design Scotland

Girvan Community Hospital

27 September 2007

INTRODUCTION

This report relates to a current application for planning consent for a new community hospital to be built on a site on Girvan Road, Girvan, South Ayrshire.

The project was discussed by an internal design review panel on Thursday 6^th September 2007.

No A+DS Advisory Board Members other than those who sat on the Panel have taken any part in formulating A+DS's views.

A+DS VIEWS

1.                  General comments

The site, in an attractive landscape setting on the edge of the town yet within close proximity to the town centre and railway station, provides a unique opportunity to construct a hospital which is both accessible and secluded.

We support the general approach to the scale and disposition of building; the location of the building on the site; the provision of a block of accommodation to provide a frontage to Girvan Road and a link to the town centre; the promenade connecting Girvan Road and the car park, and the concept of a central spine with wings breaking up the accommodation and opening views to the river. However, there are areas where we consider further work is required to demonstrate that the built form has been fully resolved and the potential of this unique site fully realised.

2.         Response to immediate and distant landscape

2.1       Landscape information

The landscape setting presents a unique opportunity, warranting a design that compliments this setting and takes full advantage of the amenity it offers. The designs, as presented, do not yet demonstrate a considered relationship and response to the landscape. Further information is needed as follows:

• A number of long sections through and beyond the site, extending in one direction from the Water of Girvan through Girvan Road and beyond to the foothills, and in the other direction from the railway to the road bridge over the river, are required to demonstrate how the building sits in its context, and how the parking, landscape and levels are handled.
• Sections (along wings and courtyards) are required to demonstrate the relationship of each wing of accommodation to the levels in the courtyard and the river beyond. These should show the relationship of internal and external spaces, the amenity of these areas and their relationship to and, where applicable, separation from, the public amenity of the riverbank.
• Detailed sections through the south elevation of the building should show how the contrasting needs for privacy (visual and audio) in the residential wing and the environment of the public routes and road may be resolved.
• A landscape plan should show proposed levels (current plans appear to overlay existing levels) and details of how the landscape provides appropriate and attractive separation between public areas (main routes and public access to the river) and controlled, private amenity. Routes should allow the river to be experienced and enjoyed by building users, either as respite from the clinical environments or as part of therapeutic exercise.

2.2       Landscaped wedges and courtyards

Although the building has been designed to potentially maximise views west to the water, most views will be mediated by the landscaped wedges between the wings. These wedges seem very narrow, and require significant development in terms of form, landscape and amenity to demonstrate that they can work effectively. The introduction of fire escape stairs into these landscape areas seems inappropriately handled. The quality of the internalised court within the outpatients' wing also requires investigation.

2.3       Parking and other landscape features

We would encourage more consideration of the wider site form, levels and landscape materials to produce a cohesive landscape strategy and solution. In particular, the proposal for a single mass of parking should be reconsidered and smaller pockets provided within the landscape strategy to reduce the visual impact on the approach the town. The lines of individual trees without supporting planting will do little to break up the monolithic expanse of the car park. We welcome the integration of the wind turbine into the scheme and acknowledge the attempt to tie it back to the development by aligning it with the spine.

3.         Building organisation

3.1       The concept of the spine

The idea of the central spine, linking the approach from the town with that from the car park and the accommodation wings is a sound one. The concept has been developed with a parallel outside route and the provision of shared functions such as the cafeteria and pharmacy, providing active frontages to both routes. However, the termination of this route onto the Girvan Road frontage requires greater definition (there seem to be no doors shown on the elevation). The landscape treatment to the path beside Girvan Road should reinforce the public entry point, and the provision of a canopy or sheltered space in front of the entrance would be desirable. Once within the building, the interior form and design should clearly indicate the spine as the primary route, with the reception desks being clearly visible from the Girvan Road entry.

3.2       Roof space

We would encourage the design team to develop the section of the building wings to take advantage of the space within the roof to provide daylight and visual interest and as part of the passive ventilation strategy. 

CONCLUSION

We commend the project team for their aspirations and acknowledge their willingness to take on board some of the recommendations made at an earlier stage by A+DS's healthcare design assessment panel. Although generally supportive of the proposals, we feel that there are still aspects of the designs that require further development, particularly in relation to the landscape and external amenity, before the proposed development warrants the privilege of being built on this special site.

Report issued: 27^th September 2007

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