To design & create a sustainable, low carbon building with the involvement of doctors, nurses, parents, RUH planners and architects, that challenges existing standards, defines new targets & develops sustainable building strategies – for our babies’ future!

This is a great proposal. The NHS is starting to take its climate change and broader sustainable development responsibilities much more seriously, but it needs some state-of-the-art exemplars to demonstrate all the many benefits (environmental, social and economic) of doing things so much more creatively and sustainably.  The RUH’s proposal for a new – and very different – Neonatal Intensive Care Unit precisely fits that bill, and I sincerely hope that this proposal prospers accordingly.

JONATHON PORRITT
Founder Director, Forum for the Future

Creating a new large single storey unit, plus refurbishment of existing space - connected by an ‘umbilical cord’ to the existing maternity services allowing efficiency of both space & systems

Leading to a building and a strategy for sustainability which is:

LEAN – Design structure to minimise energy use

• Setting new standards for the Health sector
• Energy efficient design, reducing air leakage, using low energy materials & creating a highly insulated building envelope
• Prefabricated building methods to avoid waste, landfill & disruption
• ‘Green’ roof and a sustainable urban drainage system to reduce pressure on infrastructure & promote biodiversity on RUH campus
• High performance roof glazing to allow direct sunlight into the ‘heart’ of the building without leading to overheating

MEAN  – Do as much as possible passively

• Heat recovery systems in mechanically ventilated areas
• Dimmable, low energy lighting controlled by daylight & movement sensors
• Lifecycle costs minimised through careful design
• Development of a water conservation strategy
• Natural ventilation used wherever possible

 GREEN – Maximise sustainability of active systems

• Single storey building to maximise the footprint and energy contribution of a ground source heat pump
• Cost effective use of solar panels and wind turbines is being considered
• Reduce waste / maximise recycling as prototype for best NHS practice
• Specify sustainable materials with minimal toxicity (for vulnerable babies) that are available locally

The design will help the RUH take responsibility for future generations and make the NICU a beacon for sustainability across the health sector