The company is to create a focal point for the community with integrated health and social care facilities, high-quality new homes and access to better education and training, alongside the creation of major new public open spaces.
The project – led by Manchester University NHS Foundation Trust with Manchester City Council and Manchester Health and Care Commissioning, and supported by HIVE Projects – recognises that over 70% of the existing estate is in desperate need of rebuilding. Sheppard Robson has been appointed as Lead Consultant and Architect for the acute hospital buildings in collaboration with Medical Architecture, as well as the education centre and administration buildings.
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Sheppard Robson has already been working on the masterplan for the development for nearly a year, leading a team that includes landscape designers Gillespies, transport consultant Curtins and planning consultant Turley. The overarching aim of the masterplan is to promote active and healthy lifestyles and the wellbeing of staff, patients, visitors and the community. The masterplan's design principle is to create a highly sustainable collection of buildings set around a new 'village green'. The high-quality green space will act as a focal point for the local community to use as an extension of the local neighbourhood for their health and care needs.
Alex Solk, Partner at Sheppard Robson and the practice's healthcare lead, said: "It's rare to work on a project with such ambition and that will have such transformative outcomes for the local community. We are radically rethinking the estate, and the services and facilities provided, while also reshaping the relationship the hospital has with its community – a process that will have a far-reaching and lasting impact."
