The Forest of Dean Community Hospital in Gloucestershire, United Kingdom, stands as a paragon of sustainable healthcare design, having secured the esteemed BREEAM Excellent certification. This 24-bed community hospital exemplifies the integration of sustainability into modern healthcare facilities’ design and operation. Built on a site with a storied industrial past, including a former coal mine and skatepark, its construction posed unique challenges that were adeptly addressed through innovative solutions.
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Situated near the town centre of Cinderford, the hospital occupies a site once home to a skatepark, which has since been relocated to accommodate this contemporary healthcare institution. The transformation from a post-industrial landscape to a vital community healthcare resource necessitated meticulous planning and execution. The site’s legacy as a coal mine introduced environmental hurdles, such as soil contamination and structural instability. These challenges were overcome through the application of sustainable construction practices and remediation techniques, underscoring the project’s commitment to environmental stewardship.
The design of the hospital, masterfully overseen by ONE, incorporates a myriad of sustainable features that contribute to its BREEAM Excellent status. Central to its design is the “nice thick jumper” concept, which involves the use of 250mm thick insulation in the walls and roofs. This substantial insulation significantly curtails the building’s energy demands by maintaining a stable internal climate, thereby reducing heating and cooling costs. Complementing this is the hospital’s reliance on electricity, supplemented by alternative energy sources like heat pumps and mechanical ventilation recovery systems. These systems, along with on-site renewable energy generation, enable the hospital to become a net electricity contributor, supplying surplus energy back to the grid and enhancing its sustainability credentials.
The hospital’s flooring system, specified by Mapei and installed by Titan Flooring, is another testament to its eco-friendly design. Spanning treatment rooms, corridors, and utility areas, the flooring utilises products with very low VOC emissions, adhering to the rigorous EMICODE: EC1 Plus standards. This ensures a healthy indoor environment, maintaining high air quality standards essential for patients and staff. The flooring installation is underpinned by Mapei’s innovative products, including the Latexplan Trade levelling compound and Eco Prim T Plus primer, culminating in the installation of Forbo’s durable, anti-slip flooring ranges. These flooring solutions not only fulfil functional requirements but also contribute to the hospital’s aesthetic appeal and operational efficiency.
Beyond the immediate environmental benefits, the hospital’s construction has broader implications for the local community. By revitalising a previously underutilised site, the hospital bolsters local infrastructure and offers a modern healthcare facility readily accessible to the community. The relocation of the skatepark to an area closer to new recreational facilities further enriches community engagement and utilisation of public spaces, fostering a sense of shared ownership and pride.
The Forest of Dean Community Hospital serves as an exemplar for future healthcare facilities, illustrating that sustainability and functionality can coexist without compromise. Its BREEAM Excellent certification stands as a testament to the rigorous consideration of environmental impacts throughout the design and construction process, setting a high standard for healthcare facilities globally. This commitment to sustainability extends beyond mere environmental considerations, encompassing aspects of health and well-being, energy efficiency, and community revitalisation.
In the broader context of sustainable healthcare design, the role of certifications like BREEAM cannot be overstated. These certifications drive change by setting benchmarks for energy use, health and well-being, materials, and waste management—ensuring that sustainability is prioritised from the earliest stages of design through to construction and operation. The Forest of Dean Community Hospital’s achievement in this realm underscores the potential for technological solutions to enhance energy efficiency and promote a healthier indoor environment. The hospital’s approach to flooring and air quality is indicative of the advancements in building materials aimed at reducing environmental impact while ensuring the health and well-being of its occupants.
By transforming a brownfield site into a modern healthcare facility, the project supports local economic development and provides essential services to the region. The integration of recreational facilities and the relocation of the skatepark exemplify a commitment to enhancing community well-being beyond healthcare, ensuring a lasting positive legacy in the area. As the healthcare sector globally faces the imperative to reduce its environmental footprint, the Forest of Dean Community Hospital offers a blueprint for sustainable development. By prioritising energy efficiency, indoor air quality, and community engagement, this hospital sets a precedent for others to follow, guiding the sector towards more sustainable, resilient, and community-focused healthcare solutions.
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