Sole Bay Health Centre is located in Reydon, near to the popular seaside town of Southwold in Suffolk. A few years ago a need was identified to create a new health centre, providing GP services and clinics, a pharmacy and dental provision. The nearest hospital is a 20-mile drive, so NHS Great Yarmouth & Waveney sought to minimize the need to travel by offering outpatient care at the Health Centre.
We worked alongside LSI Architects and the contractor Morgan Sindall Construction, from April 2013 onwards. Like so many of our collaborators, we have enjoyed good long-term business relations with these companies.
Our brief was to meet the requirements of Department of Health sector buildings – acoustic design requirement HTM 08-01 – in order to achieve BREEAM Healthcare “Excellent” standard. A significant element of our work involved 3D modelling using CATT-Acoustic software. We carried out a design review and calculated the areas of acoustic absorption required in the open plan reception and office areas.
Our computer modelling allowed the architects and interior designers to incorporate the required treatments into the bespoke finishes without having to revert to more standard medical finishes. The result is a building which benefits the community and relieves pressure on Lowestoft’s James Paget University Hospital. The practice opened in July 2015 and is rated as Outstanding by the Care Quality Commission.
We are delighted that the building has been able to match this level of excellence, providing an acoustically appealing environment for patients and staff alike.
Client: NHS Great Yarmouth and Waveney
Architect: LSI Architects
Contractor: Morgan Sindall
Contract value: £4.1m
Photo / image credits: LSI / Adrian James Acoustics
