Migdale Hospital, Bonar Bridge Architecture, Sutherland Building, Design, Property

Migdale Community Hospital : Bonar Bridge Building

Migdale Community Hospital Development, Scotland, design by Austin-Smith:Lord

13 Nov 2009

Migdale Community Hospital

SCOTTISH GOVERNMENT GIVES GREEN LIGHT FOR NEW HOSPITAL IN CENTRAL SUTHERLAND DESIGNED BY AUSTIN-SMITH:LORD

Hospital in Bonar Bridge

The Scottish Government has given the go ahead for a new £8.3million hospital to be built at Bonar Bridge in Central Sutherland to replace Migdale Hospital, which is almost 150 years old. The new hospital is designed by leading architects Austin-Smith:Lord for NHS Highland.

Migdale Community Hospital building design
image from architect

The motivation behind Austin-Smith:Lord’s design and NHS Highland’s brief is to create a pleasant, friendly and welcoming ‘non-institutional’ building for the local community. The new hospital forms part of NHS Highland’s programme of service improvement and change – “Changing for the Better” – which aims to provide safe, quality care for patients as close to their homes as possible. It also promotes independence by encouraging and supporting people to take more responsibility for their own health.

The new building will provide 22 inpatient bed spaces, dining spaces and a range of day and outpatient consultation and therapy facilities. The architects have taken full advantage of the site location on a steep slope overlooking the Kyle of Sutherland by strategically placing bedrooms to maximise the stunning views.

Service and support facilities have been placed at lower level with the two main wards situated on the upper level. An open dining/sitting area will encourage social interaction between patients, staff and visitors and, along with good use of natural lighting and ventilation, contribute to a positive healing atmosphere.

Construction work is due to commence in January 2010 with completion in March 2011.

Previously:

31 Mar 2009

Community Hospital in Migdale

AUSTIN-SMITH:LORD GETS GREEN LIGHT FOR NEW COMMUNITY HOSPITAL IN SCOTTISH HIGHLANDS

Austin-Smith:Lord has gained planning permission for a new £8m hospital at Bonar Bridge in Central Sutherland in the Scottish Highlands. Migdale Community Hospital will be designed and delivered for NHS Highland by the practice’s Glasgow office.

The new hospital will replace the existing 150-year old Migdale Hospital, which no longer meets current NHS standards. The new building will provide 22 inpatient bed spaces, dining spaces and a range of day and outpatient consultation and therapy facilities. The design evolved from a close consultation process between architect and client.

Key factors include: maximising enjoyment of the spectacular views of the Kyle of Sutherland to the Southwest; creating an ‘open living’ environment with contemplative day facilities to the rear of the site; developing a building section to suit sloping site topology; maintaining flexibility for potential future extensions; and providing a sustainable approach to building design (The building has an anticipated B+ energy rating.). Architecture and Design Scotland were involved in the detailed consultation process.

Iain Wylie, Austin-Smith:Lord’s partner in charge of the project, said “This is an extremely important project for NHS Highland, ourselves and in particular the local area. The site and client brief provided us with an excellent opportunity to exploit the fantastic views from the site.

Accordingly we have developed an unconventional response to the ward design by ensuring that every patient bedroom benefits from its elevated position overlooking the Kyle of Sutherland whilst creating a naturally daylit and ventilated social heart to each of the wards”.

NHS Highland Sutherland Locality General Manager Georgia Haire said the granting of planning permission for the new hospital was “an important milestone in a programme of improvements to the provision of services for older adults in Sutherland”.

Migdale Hospital image / information received 131109

Austin-Smith:Lord Architects

Location: Bonar Bridge, Sutherland, Scotland, north western Europe

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