Children’s hospital takes BDP shape

Planning permission has been granted to Building Design Partnership to create the interiors and building design of the new-build Royal Alexandra Children’s Hospital in Brighton.

BDP will be responsible for all architectural, interior design and landscaping work at the site, on Royal Sussex County Hospital’s campus. It will replace the original, 150-year-old Brighton hospital.

BDP architect director Benedict Zucchi says the practice has sought to ‘get as far as possible from the bland and boxy hospital architecture you normally get. As the design developed, it took on the shape externally of the hull of a boat.’

Zucchi says a central atrium will dominate the interiors. This will bring natural daylight into the building and will be used for art classes and activities such as puppet shows.

Bright colours will be used throughout the building, with each floor designated one main colour to aid wayfinding.

BDP’s consortium, led by Kajima, beat two rival bidders to the work, expected to begin next May, for completion in February 2007.