The Dyson Centre for Neonatal Care in Bath was presented at the AT Awards live finals on 7 November 2022 at the Chartered Institute of Environmental Health to a jury comprising, Nana Biamah-Ofosu, Peter Bishop, Hanif Kara, David Partridge, Simon Allford and Chair Isabel Allen. Read about how the project has stood the test of time, below.
Bay windows offer moments of respite. Credit: Craig Aukland
The Dyson Centre for Neonatal Care was the first tertiary UK healthcare building to be constructed in solid laminated timber. A simple legible plan defines a sequential process of patient care and isolates back-of house from front-of-house. The layout provides key spaces with a visual connection to the outside and minimises reliance on artificial light.
Skylights bring daylight into the heart of the building. Credit: Craig Aukland
The building achieved BREEAM “Excellent” with a reduction of 28 per cent against the Target Emissions Rating and anticipated generation of 118kg CO2/m2 /annum. Key features include a sedum roof for rainwater attenuation and to increase biodiversity; low-flow water fittings and rainwater harvesting; a combined heat and power unit intended to help the Trust realise a future-proofed site-wide energy strategy; and construction U-values and air permeability of up to 50 per cent better than the minimum standards.
The building is constructed from large cross-laminated timber panels. Credit: Craig Aukland
The Dyson Centre presented a rare opportunity to quantify the impact of a new building by collecting data sets in the old facility and repeating the exercise on completion of the new building. The data confirmed that noise levels are lower and light levels more varied, ranging from 40-375lux compared to 125-200lux in the old unit. Nursing staff spend up to 20 per cent more time in clinical rooms. Previously, parents’ anxiety levels increased the longer they stayed in the unit; in the new building anxiety reduces over time. Parents report feeling less cramped with a greater sense of privacy and less interference from noise and light, and are more actively involved in their baby’s care with greater physical contact. There is a higher incidence of babies discharged having established successful breastfeeding, and babies spend more time asleep.
Sketch section showing daylight strategy.
