HLM Architects has been awarded for its work on the North Wing development at Altnagelvin Hospital in Londonderry, Northern Ireland at the Royal Society of Ulster Architect (RSUA) Design Awards 2022.
As design lead, HLM oversaw the design and construction of the hospital’s new main entrance as well as 144 single-bed ward accommodation spanning over three floors.
The project, which was one of nine schemes shortlisted and assessed by a distinguished judging panel of architects from across Ireland and Great Britain, was announced as the winner of the RIBA Northern Ireland Regional Award at a special black-tie ceremony hosted at Queen’s University in Belfast.
Recognised as one of the highlights in the industry calendar, the awards are a celebration of Northern Ireland’s built environment and attended by architects, clients, government officials, and politicians to showcase architectural talent in the region. The RSUA’s partnership with RIBA means that the RSUA Design Awards double up as the RIBA Northern Ireland Awards.
Winning an RSUA Design Award is the first step to being considered for a UK-wide RIBA National Award, the results of which will be announced in the summer. The shortlist for the RIBA Stirling Prize for the best building of the year will then be drawn from the RIBA National Award-winning projects, and the Stirling Prize winner will be announced in October.
Nicola McKay, Belfast & Dublin Studio Director at HLM Architects, said: “I am absolutely delighted and immensely proud that we have been recognised as RIBA Northern Ireland Regional Award winners for the North Wing Development at Altnagelvin Area Hospital.
“To achieve such meaningful recognition for the immense effort by the whole team to deliver an exceptional and quality building that not only transforms the quality of service and patient centred care provided by the Western Health & Social Care Trust, but also in supporting staff to deliver their roles and wider impact to visitors and local community, is extremely rewarding.”
Melanie Jacobsen Cox, Head of Healthcare at HLM Architects, adds: “The wonderful news that we have won RIBA Northern Ireland Regional Award for the North Wing Development at Altnagelvin Area Hospital firmly places HLM at the forefront of contemporary hospital design. It is a beautiful building that provides a complete healing and therapeutic environment to all occupants. To have delivered this building during the COVID 19 pandemic is a testimony to the dedication and determination of the design team.”
Designed by HLM’s Healthcare team, Altnagelvin North Wing is a major redevelopment project that was organised over a number of carefully considered phases to minimise disruption to the existing operational hospital. While it was originally due to finish in June 2020, elements of the project were brought forward to cope with the rising demand for hospital space during the pandemic. This included the ward accommodation of 72 beds, which was fast tracked and handed over three months ahead of schedule.
As design lead, HLM oversaw the design and construction of the hospital’s new main entrance as well as 144 single-bed ward accommodation spanning over three floors. Other elements of the design included a granite-clad main entrance to create a unique identity for the site, the formation of new hospital streets, which together enabled better flow throughout the building, and the creation of a green corridor that links to the main entrance and was landscaped to create an open and welcoming environment.
