St Joseph's Hospital

Creating an innovative ‘resort’ care home.

We worked with the Bon Secours Sisters to develop the concept from singular resort into a whole village, creating distinct residential clusters with their own lounges and support facilities.

We arranged buildings along a crescent street to maximise south-facing light, incorporate mature trees and celebrate the panoramic views.

Building design and finish complements the layout, with full-length south-facing windows and contrasting materials to distinguish residential and communal spaces.

Brief

  • design a 60-bed high dependency hospital
  • create a ‘resort-style’ environment
  • cater for convalescent, respite and longer-term residents

Results

  • residential scheme marks huge improvement on institutional corridors
  • maximised views exploit gardens and natural light
  • improved interaction: street-style design creates places for residents, staff and visitors to mix
  • a village green provides space for outdoor games, eating with relatives and open-air masses
  • RIBA Award for Architecture 2003

Facts

Location: Cork, Ireland
Client: Bon Secours Sisters, Cork
Construction cost: £6m
Completed: 2001
Awards: 1

Integrated services

masterplanning, architecture, landscape architecture, lighting

Links to images