CircleBath, image courtesy of Foster + Partners
CircleBath, image courtesy of Foster + Partners
London-based architectural firm Foster + Partners recently unveiled the CircleBath located in Bath, UK. The three-storey building is set into the hills facing to the protected green belt, internally the function rooms are planned around a central light filled atrium, promoting a sense of orientation and intimacy. The building provides operating theatres, bedrooms, consultation, treatment and recovery spaces, and offers both in-patient and out-patient accommodation. It is Foster + Partners’ first hospital project and expected to open to patients in February.
The compact design encourages a sense of community and well-being with facilities more comparable to a luxury hotel rather than a traditional hospital.
Foster + Partners
CircleBath - Elevation, drawing courtesy of Foster + Partners
+ Press release courtesy of Foster + Partners
CircleBath, opening of the first hospital designed by Foster + Partners
CircleBath is Foster + Partners’ first hospital and the first in a programme of new independent hospitals which offer a radical departure from orthodox approaches to hospital planning. After a period of commissioning, CircleBath is expected to open to patients in February.
CircleBath, image courtesy of Foster + Partners
The compact design encourages a sense of community and well-being with facilities more comparable to a luxury hotel rather than a traditional hospital. The three-storey hospital is set into the hills on the edge of protected green belt nine kilometres south east of Bath. It is planned around a central light filled atrium, promoting a sense of orientation and intimacy that is commonly lacking in larger hospitals.
CircleBath, image courtesy of Foster + Partners
Public entry is from the road on the north directly into the atrium on the ground level floor. The northern façade comprises dark panelling at the lower levels, while on the south, extensive glazing opens out to views over the surrounding rolling countryside. Appearing to float above this recessive skirting, the rectangular upper volume and roof, enclosing all twenty-eight bedrooms, is clad in a reflective lattice of aluminium shingles.
The double-height atrium forms the focus for patients, staff and visitors, with private consultation rooms leading from it at ground level and in-patient bedrooms arranged around it above. The main reception point, café and nurses’ station occupy the atrium where daylight, drawn through the circular sky lights, is softened by a translucent fabric ribbon tracing the shapes. The colour palette is a warm and friendly mix of ochre and rust, with natural wood acoustic panels above, interspersed with glass panels providing a visual connection to the atrium from the bedroom floor.
CircleBath, image courtesy of Foster + Partners
Throughout the building, there is an emphasis on natural light and views: operating theatres and recovery spaces on the lower level are fully glazed to the south, looking out on to a private garden. The bedrooms on the upper floor look out onto balconies, planted with herbs and shrubs, lining the building’s perimeter and oriented to maximise views across the countryside. Sympathetic landscaping emphasises the therapeutic natural environment to create the opposite of an institutional atmosphere.
Divisions between departments are minimal, easing the stress involved in consultation, treatment and recovery for patients and reducing walking distances for staff.
CircleBath - Ground floor plan, drawing courtesy of Foster + Partners
CircleBath - 1st floor plan, drawing courtesy of Foster + Partners
CircleBath - Section, drawing courtesy of Foster + Partners
+ Project credits
Architect: Foster + Partners
Project: CircleBath
Location: Bath, UK
Photographs: Nigel Young
+ All images and drawings courtesy of Foster + Partners | Photo by Nigel Young
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- Ground floor plan
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- 1st floor plan
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- Elevation
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- Section
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January 16th, 2010 @ David K.
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