Spalding hospital's "excellent" environment rating

Description:

The new Johnson Community Hospital, due to open at Pinchbeck, Spalding, in June 2009, has been designed and developed as a "sustainable" building and has achieved an excellent rating for its consideration of the environment.

Patients and visitors will appreciate the creative planning and architectural design which incorporates an impressive full height glazed atrium at main reception ensuring the hospital benefits from natural light and ventilation.

 

Eco friendly features include:

 

• considerate development to protect and preserve sensitive natural habitats within and around the site

 

• provision of cycle shelters to encourage the use of environmentally friendly and recreational transportation

 

• encouragement for the use of public transport by providing amenities and shelters for local bus routes as well as the provision of a cycle route allowing quick access to the town centre

 

• central courtyards incorporated into the architectural design of the building maximise the use of natural ventilation and reduce the need for mechanical ventilation

 

• coated windows to reduce heat loss and trickle ventilators to reduce uncontrolled ventilation

 

• main entrances designed to prevent heat loss as well as maximise natural light

 

• ward areas aligned to benefit from natural daylight from the south

 

• specifically chosen construction materials to increase the life span and reduce maintenance costs of the building as well as minimising the use of any hazardous chemicals during construction

 

• the incorporation of a highly efficient, low emission gas fired boiler system which allows for future expansion to a combined heat and power unit

 

• the facility to locally control and adjust temperatures throughout the building

 

• the provision of high efficiency/low energy lighting with dimming to make maximum use of natural light with presence detectors/time controls installed to reduce lighting levels in low occupancy areas when not in use

 

• the installation of petrol interceptor traps to car parking and service areas to prevent leakage into the surrounding environment

 

Project manager Len Hartley said "We have worked closely with the Carbon Trust to ensure that this new hospital building is fully sustainable from an environmental perspective as well as improving patient care."