Brighton hospital seeks designers

The Royal Alexandra Children’s Hospital, which is under construction in Brighton, is planning to appoint designers to consult on two key projects.

The hospital’s arts committee has selected a shortlist of four designers to develop installations for its exterior entrance space. It is also putting a tender out for the design of a new multi-faith room.

The hospital’s Trust board will make a final selection for both projects within six months. The children’s hospital will be completed in 2007. Architect BDP is working on the scheme (DW 5 February 2004).

The committee is keeping a lid on design details for the projects, but the entrance is likely to feature light installations and sculptures, which will be ‘reasonably adventurous’, explains Roger Blackman, project director for Royal Alexandra Children’s Hospital.

The multi-faith room will be branded Oasis. The brief is to create a space that will promote restfulness. ‘This is a fairly free design brief. We want to make sure the project has the support of all religious groups. Art and design are high on the criteria,’ adds Blackman.

The new hospital will replace the current site, which is located in an Edwardian building that dates back to 1906. It draws its inspiration from its maritime setting, and will include an atrium for art classes and shows.

The facility will be integrated with the Royal Sussex County Hospital. The Royal Alexandra is one of seven dedicated paediatric hospitals in the UK.