Clinic Building, School of Health and Society

Name: One Darnley Road
Price range: $

Salford, UK

Services

Sectors

Universities

People

Project overview

A community-driven design prioritising healthcare, education and sustainability

Designed to transform healthcare accessibility and education, the new Clinic Building at The University of Salford will be a welcome addition to its expanding School of Health and Society. In line with its sustainability objectives, the building aspires to achieve BREEAM Excellent and WELL Gold accreditations.

This innovative project will support the training of future healthcare professionals whilst addressing the NHS’ workforce challenges. Providing facilities for Podiatry, Prosthetic and Orthotics and Sports Rehabilitation and a Gait Lab analysis on the ground floor.

The building prioritises inclusivity and accessibility through equity of access, trauma-informed design and thoughtful consideration for neurodiversity. The Clinic Building has also been designed for use by the wider community as part of the social prescription network. Enabling all people in need of health and wellbeing services access to these state of the art facilities.

Our vision for the project is to create a versatile space that can thrive for generations to come. The clinic, which is the first of a number to be delivered for the school, will link directly to subject areas, complementing placements in local NHS Trusts and providing students with meaningful learning opportunities.”

Robert Hopkins

Project Lead and Director

Masterplan

Settling into the wider university masterplan

The building will form a key part of the wider University of Salford Campus masterplan. By tapping into the area’s unique potential as a hub for innovation and collaboration, we will support the overall aim to deliver a greener, smarter and more connected place to work and study.

Full of opportunity, the Clinic Building will sit on the Frederick Road Campus, a large development area for the university. It’s set to be the first of many buildings dedicated to the School of Health and Society.

To improve the student experience and shape a more coherent campus, the site promises strong connections to the main campus with the addition on a land bridge joining the two. The site will also provide easier accessibility to Salford Crescent train station.

Sustainability

A commitment to environmental, economic and social sustainability

In minimising its carbon footprint, the building has an ambitious embodied carbon target. This includes emissions from producing, transporting and constructing building materials, aiming to decrease its overall environmental impact across its entire lifecycle.

It will also integrate state of the art technologies such as rooftop photovoltaic panels and rainwater harvesting systems. Designed with biophilic principles, our design will seamlessly blend with its natural surroundings, fostering a sense of harmony and wellbeing.

Biophilic design

Prioritising the health and wellbeing of staff, students and the community

To fulfil the purpose of the building, it was essential that we shaped a space that inspires, rejuvenates and connects patients and health professionals to nature. Incorporating biophilic design principles into the building was key to achieving this.

We have included greenery into the spaces, the touch of leaves and the aroma of plants, to create a more healing and nurturing environment.

Additionally, to enhance physical and mental wellbeing, reduce stress, foster creativity and promote better social connectivity, we integrated natural elements, such as an exposed timber frame and an indoor forest.

To further enhance overall wellbeing within the space, accessible external areas such as roof terraces, greenhouses, shared gardens for therapy space or general use and walking paths are also incorporated to uplift moods and reduce stress by encouraging interaction with the outdoors.

Design approach

Promoting inclusivity, accessibility and the wellbeing of its users

We've prioritised social prescription, equitable access, improved wayfinding, neurodiverse considerations and trauma-informed design in our approach. Trauma-informed design is a relatively new field of design, targeting the built environment to address the physical, psychological and emotional impacts of trauma.

Inspired by this and to create a sense of safety and calmness, we have prioritised how easily people can see around the space, allowing in natural daylight and ensuring that objects within the space are limited and organised in a balanced way.

To create an inclusive and supportive healthcare environment, we’ve also considered the needs of neurodiverse people, addressing the needs those with conditions such as autism, ADHD and sensory processing disorders and beyond. Ensuring people feel comfortable and respected during their clinical visits, our design integrates sensory-friendly waiting areas, calming lighting and quiet spaces.

To ensure visitors feel comfortable and valued, our approach also addresses social prescription and equity of access. Implementing simple measures, such as welcoming entrances, self-referral information and shared spaces such as the rooftop, helps incorporate social prescription into community buildings and promote inclusion.

community facilities

Redefining healthcare through inclusive design

At the heart of our vision is a commitment to community focused healthcare. Straying from the often-times impersonal settings of traditional healthcare facilities, our design will provide clear, welcoming entrances and calming elements such as natural light and soothing colours, to reduce patient anxiety and improve the overall experience.

In addition to providing essential medical services, the building will provide the opportunity for research partnerships and therapeutic sessions, fostering collaboration and innovation within the community.

By offering on-site public services, the clinic will address health and social inequalities, reduce waiting times and increase accessibility the healthcare for the wider community.

To ensure the building truly meets the needs of every department within the clinic and reflects a shared vision with the local community, we also conducted extensive stakeholder engagement sessions.

This involved a public engagement period where both members of the public and university staff and students could learn more about the proposals, offer feedback and ask questions.

key information

Project summary

Client

Aecom Ltd
University of Salford

Location

Salford, M6 6NY

Size

5,500 m² gross internal area

Environmental

BREEAM Excellent (Targeting)
WELL Gold (Targeting)

Includes

Facilities for Podiatry, Prosthetic and Orthotics and Sports Rehabilitation
Gab Lab analysis
Training spaces for healthcare professionals
Shared spaces for therapy or general use
Consultation and examination rooms
Shared gardens and greenhouses
Roof terraces

Team