Health Spaces Team Appointed to Develop Rugby Development Control Plan

The Health Spaces/Fleet team is collaborating with University Hospitals Coventry and Warwickshire (UHCW) to craft a comprehensive 15-year development control plan for the Rugby St Cross site. This partnership aims to strategically enhance the healthcare infrastructure to better serve the community’s evolving needs. The plan will focus on modernizing existing facilities, incorporating state-of-the-art medical technologies, and expanding capacity to accommodate the anticipated growth in patient volume. By integrating cutting-edge innovations and sustainable design principles, the initiative strives to elevate the quality of care and patient experience at Rugby St Cross.

A significant aspect of this development control plan involves extensive stakeholder engagement and meticulous planning. The Health Spaces/Fleet team, renowned for their expertise in healthcare infrastructure, will work closely with UHCW leadership, healthcare professionals, and community representatives to ensure that the development aligns with both clinical requirements and patient expectations. This collaborative approach ensures that the new infrastructure will support a holistic and patient-centric model of care, enhancing operational efficiency and fostering a healing environment.

Moreover, the 15-year plan underscores a commitment to sustainability and future-proofing the Rugby St Cross site. The development will integrate green building practices, aiming to reduce the carbon footprint and promote environmental stewardship. This long-term vision includes creating adaptable spaces that can evolve with advancements in healthcare delivery and technology. The partnership between Health Spaces/Fleet and UHCW is poised to transform the Rugby St Cross site into a premier healthcare facility, setting a benchmark for excellence and innovation in the region.

Fleet Design Ground Breaking Primary Care Space in South London

Fleet Architects has designed a cutting-edge primary care facility for the Penrose Group, strategically located adjacent to Pasley Park in Walworth, London. This new healthcare center is expected to significantly enliven Pasley Park, transforming it into a vibrant community hub. The facility’s design aims to create a harmonious blend of healthcare services and community engagement, making the park an attractive and bustling area for residents. This integration will not only enhance the overall patient experience but also contribute positively to the local environment and community spirit.

Drawing on their extensive experience in converting non-healthcare spaces into functional medical facilities, Fleet Architects approached this project with a focus on adaptability and efficiency. The new primary care center includes modern consultation rooms, treatment areas, and community spaces, all designed to facilitate efficient patient flow while maintaining a welcoming atmosphere. Fleet’s design principles ensure that the facility meets stringent healthcare standards while also incorporating elements that promote well-being, such as natural light and sustainable materials. This thoughtful approach demonstrates Fleet’s ability to create healthcare environments that are both practical and aesthetically pleasing.

The insights from Jaime Bishop’s article on designing healthcare facilities in third-party spaces played a crucial role in the development of this project. The facility’s design incorporates flexible elements that can adapt to the evolving needs of healthcare services. This adaptability is essential for ensuring long-term usability and efficiency. By repurposing an existing space and enhancing it with modern healthcare amenities, Fleet Architects have set a precedent for future urban healthcare projects. The new primary care center in Walworth not only addresses the immediate medical needs of the community but also revitalizes Pasley Park, fostering a sense of community and well-being

Seaside Gym Opens

Fleet Architects has completed the design and construction of a new seaside gym in Brighton, seamlessly connected to an existing private members club. The project, initiated to provide a state-of-the-art fitness facility in a prime coastal location, officially opened in May 2024. The gym offers stunning views of the sea, enhancing the workout experience with a refreshing and invigorating atmosphere. This new addition is part of a broader vision to expand the club’s amenities, catering to members’ wellness and leisure needs in a stylish and functional environment.

The gym’s design focuses on creating an open, airy space that integrates natural elements, reflecting its seaside location. Large windows allow natural light to flood the interior, while sustainable materials and minimalist aesthetics contribute to a calm, inviting ambiance. Fleet Architects incorporated cutting-edge fitness equipment and a variety of workout zones, from strength training areas to cardio sections, ensuring that members have access to a comprehensive range of exercise options. The design also includes flexible spaces for group classes, catering to diverse fitness interests and activities.

In addition to the gym, the facility features a crèche, providing convenient childcare options for members. This allows parents to enjoy their workout routines knowing their children are in a safe and engaging environment. Other amenities include wellness rooms for relaxation and recovery, enhancing the overall member experience. By connecting the gym to the existing club, Fleet Architects created a cohesive and integrated space that supports a balanced lifestyle, making it a valuable addition to Brighton’s vibrant coastal community.

Health Spaces, Fleet and Gort Scott Collaborate on Ambitious Health on the High Street Scheme

Health Spaces, Fleet Architects, and Gort Scott have joined forces on an ambitious “Health on the High Street” scheme within 45 minutes of central London. This innovative project aims to repurpose a large, unused concrete-framed department store into a comprehensive healthcare and residential facility. The redesigned space will accommodate up to four operating theatres, recovery areas, two non-specialist outpatient departments, and three endoscopy rooms. Additionally, the upper floors will be transformed to provide key worker housing, with an extension to the host building to maximize the available space. This project epitomizes the creative reuse of existing built assets, integrating health services into the heart of the community.

The collaboration between Health Spaces and Fleet Architects is central to maximizing the potential of this redevelopment. Their combined expertise ensures that the design is both functional and innovative, meeting the highest standards of healthcare provision while also addressing the critical need for key worker housing. The integration of health services into a high street location is a strategic move to make healthcare more accessible and visible to the community. By repurposing the existing structure, the project also emphasizes sustainability and the efficient use of resources, reducing the need for new construction and preserving the architectural heritage of the area.

Gort Scott’s involvement adds a layer of architectural excellence, ensuring that the transformation is not only practical but also aesthetically pleasing. The project will see the upper floors extended to create additional housing, providing much-needed accommodation for key workers close to their place of employment. This aspect of the scheme highlights a holistic approach to urban redevelopment, where healthcare, housing, and community services are seamlessly integrated. The “Health on the High Street” initiative is poised to become a model for similar projects, demonstrating how underutilized urban spaces can be revitalized to serve contemporary needs effectively.

Site Redevelopment Strategy – Humber Teaching NHS Foundation Trust

The Health Spaces team has diligently crafted proposals to consolidate inpatient activities onto a single site, leveraging Modern Methods of Construction (MMC) to ensure the highest quality and safety standards. By conducting thorough analyses of current operations, patient flows, and facility capabilities, the team identified key areas where efficiencies could be gained through consolidation. This approach not only optimizes the use of resources but also enhances patient care by centralizing services, thus minimizing the need for inter-site transfers and reducing associated risks.

To achieve this, the team proposed the utilization of MMC, which encompasses innovative construction techniques such as modular construction, prefabrication, and advanced digital planning tools. These methods allow for faster project completion, higher precision in construction, and reduced on-site disruptions. By incorporating MMC, the team ensures that the new consolidated site is built to the highest standards of quality and safety, incorporating state-of-the-art facilities and technologies that support optimal patient outcomes and staff efficiency. The design also responds to the natural context, respecting the topography and preserving mature trees to create pavilions in a parkland setting with access to sports pitches and views of squirrels gathering food, enhancing the healing environment.

Additionally, the proposals emphasize the creation of a patient-centric environment that promotes healing and well-being. This includes designing flexible spaces that can adapt to changing healthcare needs, integrating sustainable building practices, and enhancing infection control measures. By consolidating inpatient activity onto a single, modernized site, the Trust can streamline operations, improve patient experiences, and uphold the highest standards of care and safety. The Health Spaces team’s strategic and innovative approach positions the Trust for a future-ready healthcare delivery model, capable of meeting the evolving demands of the healthcare landscape.

The Shakespeare Opens!

Fleet Architects have embarked on an ambitious project to reimagine the late 18th Century Shakespeare Pub in Margate. Owned by the architectural firm, the historic pub is set to become a multifaceted space that includes a ground floor hospitality area and serves as the Fleet office, co-working space, meeting rooms, and accommodation on the upper levels. The redesign takes inspiration from mid-20th century public service designs, drawing aesthetic and functional cues from institutions like British Rail. This homage not only respects the pub’s rich heritage but also infuses it with a modern, communal spirit.

The Shakespeare Pub’s redesign is deeply influenced by the architectural aspirations of the mid-20th century, particularly those seen in public service structures. Fleet Architects aim to integrate elements reminiscent of British Rail’s iconic designs, known for their practicality and understated elegance. The pub’s name, derived from a specially commissioned steam locomotive that once ferried Londoners to Margate for holidays, adds a layer of historical significance to the project. This thoughtful blend of past and present seeks to create a space that honors the pub’s legacy while providing contemporary amenities for today’s users.

Fleet Architects’ vision for the Shakespeare Pub goes beyond mere renovation; it is a holistic transformation that respects its historical roots while adapting to current needs. By incorporating design elements inspired by mid-20th century public services, the architects aim to evoke a sense of nostalgia and community. The revamped pub will feature a welcoming ground floor hospitality offer, with the upper levels dedicated to a vibrant mix of office spaces, co-working areas, meeting rooms, and accommodation. Committed to supporting local businesses, Fleet Architects primarily source produce from Thanet and East Kent suppliers. The project has been gratefully supported by the Kent and Medway Business Fund, ensuring a strong foundation for this innovative and community-centric initiative.

A New Era for Machine-A

The Fleet Team, led by Val Tse working with Daniel Collinson, worked with the Machine-A and Tomorrow Ltd teams to design and delivered an extension and complete refit of the iconic Soho, Brewer Street store.

The new store extends brand identity developed in the Shanghai Store which opened in 2022, re-thought for a constrained historic unit in London’s fashion Mecca.

More information and project page to follow.

Dame Ruth May Opens The James Paget Concept Ward

NHS Chief Nursing Officer, Dame Ruth May, visited the James Paget University Hospital to open the  new 28 Bed Concept ward designed by Fleet Architects in collaboration with Health Spaces.

The project was designed and delivered using volumetric off-site construction within 15 months.

Jaime Bishop was interviewed for the BBC LookEast news and the event was covered by all local news Networks.

More project information available at Health Spaces:

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Lister Hybrid Theatre Gets the Go Ahead!

Fleet have been working with the Health Spaces team (https://health-spaces.com/) to develop the design for a Hybrid Vascular theatre  which received confirmation of funding this week.

Two weeks previously Jaime Bishop presented the scheme to the Trust board alongside the Surgery Team, including surgeons Prof Sadasivam-Selvakumar and Mr Matthew Metcalfe and  Theatre Sister Kay Wandless.

The new building extends the surgery floor on a raised platform oversailing the service yard and integrates equipment from Philips (C-Arm), Medical Air Technology (UCV) and pendants and theatre controls by Bender.

The scheme integrates the Philips ceiling mounted C-Arm with 3 UCV plenums slotted between the rails.

The Lister Hybrid Theatre is one of several projects on which Fleet Architects are collaborating with Health Spaces – more can be found about these projects here https://health-spaces.com/

Cannock CDC Virtual Reality Finished Review

Dan Collinson and Jaime Bishop joined the Wolverhampton Hospitals NHS Trust team at Cannock Chase Hospital to review the proposed internal finishes using virtual reality.  The Meta Quest googles used in conjunction with Sketchup and Enscape allow the unfettered exploration of the model including all the equipment as agreed in the 1:50 process.

The Cannock CDC project features double MR and CDC procedure rooms and is due for completion in Autumn 2023.

The Cannock CDC is one of several projects Fleet Architects are collaborating on with Health Spaces – more can be found about these projects here https://health-spaces.com/.