The New QEII Hospital was awarded both an RIBA Regional (East) and an RIBA Sustainability award at last week’s ceremony held in St John’s College, Cambridge.

Successful projects reflect changes and innovations in architecture, but at their core display a commitment to designing and developing buildings and spaces for the improvement and enhancement of people’s lives.

The Judges said “It was obvious to the jury that the new facility has been taken on by the staff and occupied in a way that indicates they are proud of this building. Some might say that moving from old and tired facilities would automatically create a sense of ownership and pride, but this is not always the case in this most important sector of work and the jury felt that the skill of the architect in incorporating the technical requirements in a way that makes the building as stress free as possible is a fabulous achievement.”

The New QEII Hospital is amongst the first of a new generation of NHS local hospitals integrating primary, acute and social care services to serve the local population. It replaces the 1950’s QEII Hospital – one of the first purpose built NHS District Hospitals – which had reached end of its useful life. An exemplar of low energy, sustainable design, the hospital has achieved BREEAM Excellent, and is particularly designed around the wellbeing of patients. The building design integrates the work of several artists, both practical and decorative, to enrich the narrative and celebrate the health service.