Hopkins’s scheme emerged as the favourite in consultation and the unanimous choice of the jury panel.
The building was officially opened by HRH The Princess Royal in June 2005, and then to the public in October that year.
Guy’s & St Thomas’ Trustees were looking for innovation and design flair - a design team to work with them and their clinical team to produce a paediatric unit which would set new standards of healthcare. The building would be London’s first new children’s hospital for more than 100 years.
In the competition design phase teams met with staff and end users of the building to discuss their ideas and aspirations. Judging was preceded by extensive consultation with hospital staff, patients and families as well as the Planning Authority, English Heritage and Lambeth Palace.
Hopkins’ underlying philosophy had been to create “a hospital that does not feel like a hospital” - a hospital created by children for children with young patients and their families involved in shaping its environment and architecture from the earliest stages of design. The result is a state-of-the art hospital that redefines expectations.
"A whole group of architects came to the competition that we wouldn't have normally expected."
Alastair Gourlay, Programme Director, Estate Development, Guy's & St Thomas' Hospital
Hear more Alastair Gourlay on the competition process.
Awards
- Civic Trust Award 2006
- RIBA Award 2006
- Shortlisted for RIBA Stirling Prize 2006
- Finalist for The Prime Minister’s Better Public Building Award 2006
- Shortlisted for RIBA Inclusive Design Award 2006
