Welcome To Leeds Society of Architects

The £22 million Leeds Nuffield Hospital is one of the most technically advanced independent hospital in Europe. It provides 15,420 sq m (165,000 sq ft) of patient focused in and out patient accommodation. careyjones worked closely with Nuffield Hospitals over a four year period, from initial site viability appraisal though Planning Consent, User Group liaison, tender and construction. In addition to our role as the Contractor’s architect, careyjones architects provided an ongoing monitoring of quality, technical and design issues on behalf of Nuffield Hospitals. The hospital officially opened in May 2003.

The tight brownfield site, adjacent to the Leeds General Infirmary, posed a number of constraints. The result is an unusual hospital design of a single linear building with accommodation arranged from 9 -11 storeys in height, with a contemporary glazed atrium forming the main entrance. Two levels of basement parking are also provided, operated within a ‘managed car park’ strategy, similar to that of high-end city hotels.

Accommodation comprises:

• 35 out patient consulting rooms
• 80 in patient en-suite ward bedrooms
• Six operating theatres
• Eight bed ITU / HDU
• Diagnostic Imaging, including MRI and CT scanning
• Endoscopy
• Physiotherapy
• Pathology
• TSSU
• Restaurant, seminar and administration functions
• 110 basement car parking spaces

The design brief was particularly complex due to the leading edge equipment that has been installed. Apart from the latest MRI and CT scanning facilities and AV linked theatres, the Leeds Nuffield Hospital operates the first fully voice activated operating theatre in the UK. The Stryker theatre system enables surgeonsto control a wide range of operating theatre activities by voice whilst carrying out keyhole (minimally invasive) surgery. The system also provides technology that allows surgeons to communicate and view surgical procedures across the world providing real time information.

careyjones has sought to harness the therapeutic properties of colour usage in the development of a bespoke interior design scheme that is uniquely appropriate to each of the Hospital’s departments. Artwork and sculptures commissioned by Nuffield Hospitals play a particularly important role both inside and outside the building.