King George Hospital – Ilford, London
Ilford, London Borough of Redbridge
Bowman Riley has designed a new two-storey modular building at the King George Hospital in Ilford.
Clad in multi-depth panels in shades of stone and bronze, the new feature building will create a distinct sense of place and arrival at the main hospital entrance juncture. Designed to complement the existing built environment, the new building will add a fresh new layer of modernity to the backdrop of the slightly dated existing hospital buildings.
Located across from the main hospital, the new development will improve wayfinding from the existing car park and main entrance, which is currently confusing and impractical. The scheme includes a new covered walkway to shelter people as they move between the existing hospital and proposed gateway building. Simple and elegant in form, this new walkway will further emphasise the key entrance building and further promote wayfinding.
Providing a physical entrance-way towards the main hospital buildings, the new development will house retail facilities comprising an M&S and WH Smiths on the ground floor. Clerical accommodation will be relocated from the main hospital building to the first floor; releasing much-needed space within the existing hospital for clinical services.
Primary issues revolve around the building’s location and the disruption to ambulance services, drop-off and bus services during the construction period. Further issues centre around the existing horse chestnut tree that had to be retained, along with in-ground services that were unable to be re-routed and the incorporation of a new replacement bus stop.
Modular construction formed the basis of the brief and informed our design from the very start, establishing a design solution composed of efficient and practical module sizes. Constructed off-site to maximise quality and save time on site, the new precision-made steel-framed building will minimise air leakage for improved thermal efficiency, lower running costs, and reduced carbon emissions.