Pencoed has won a Local Authority Building Control award for Building Excellence from Bridgend County Borough Council. The New Surgery won the category of Best Community/ Healthcare Building. The scheme will now go forward to the LABC South Wales Building Excellence Awards in April and if it is successful will then go forward to the LABC National Building Excellence Awards to be held in London in November 2012.
The brand new primary care centre in Pencoed designed by Stride Treglown opened in September 2011 to excellent reviews from staff and patients alike.
The new £1.8m centre provides accommodation for Abertawe Bro Morgannwg University Health Board (ABMU) community services as well as New Surgery GP practice. The practice wing of the building includes eight consultant rooms, two treatment rooms, minor surgery, a phlebotomy and nurse consult room.
The Health Board occupies a separate wing which consists of two consultant rooms, a treatment room, storage and office space. The two wings are connected by a shared central waiting area allowing all visitors to take advantage of the long distance views afforded by the site. At first floor private staff spaces are located offering elevated views over the countryside.
The design for this facility stems from meeting user’s requirements and producing a design that articulates the local aesthetic. It adopts a simple palette of local materials in an innovative and contemporary way allowing the building to both blend in with its surroundings whilst, at the same time, presenting a memorable and distinct environment enhancing what is already present.
The scheme targeted a BREEAM rating of ‘Very Good’ with an ‘Excellent’ rating for the energy credits. In order to achieve this we incorporated Photovoltaics, improved U-values, installed heat recovery units to the reception area and clinical rooms, specified low flush toilets, designed natural lighting of corridors and incorporated rainwater attenuation.
Paul Thomas, New Surgery Practice Manager, said; “The new surgery is superb. The architects worked with us on the design of the building, and everything looks as planned. We are all very much enjoying our new accommodation.”
The key to the success of the scheme was also its integration into an existing landscape and travel patterns utilising existing rights of way across the site and local public transport interchanges. The welcoming entrance is also aimed at providing a pleasant and calming environment for patients visiting the site.
Patient Keith Hughes, 61 from Penprysg, commented; “It is absolutely fantastic. There is easy access and fabulous facilities - it is a pleasure to come here.”
