Dispensing with the proviso....
For a long time healthcare architecture has been seen as the poor relation of other building types; a field of design endeavour that’s struggled to provide as uplifting environments as those created for other human activities. A new health centre or hospital that was the best of its type would be pronounced ‘good, for health’.
But recent healthcare developments are competing with the best of any sector and winning! The Alex, a children’s hospital in Brighton by BDP was, in 2008, the first healthcare building to win the Prime Minister’s Better Public Buildings Award. This month, the Maggie’s Cancer Caring Centre in London, by Rogers Stirk Harbour + Partners, won the coveted RIBA Stirling Prize. The shortlist of just six buildings also included the Kentish Town Health Centre by AHMM - this building was noteable on the list as only one commissioned within tight UK public sector budgets. Elsewhere, Stobhill Hospital in Glasgow, by Reiach and Hall, won the Architecture Grand Prix at the Roses Design Awards against competition from around the UK.
There is no proviso on the achievement of these buildings. They are good architecture; they are good... for your health.
