A state-of-the-art, energy-efficient health centre for Henley Green.

When the team at Henley Green Medical Centre secured a £1.4 million NHS grant to double the size of its practice, they wanted to make sure they didn’t just get more space – they wanted a smarter space. Being at the heart of the community, they also felt a responsibility to be a good role model for sustainability. We helped them create a facility that would use ‘healing architecture’ principles to promote wellbeing, with low carbon technology built in to reduce environmental impact (which is good for people too!) Now, they’re enjoying expanded services, with plenty of room to grow.

A team effort

This wasn’t your typical refurbishment project. It demanded technical expertise across multiple dimensions: part of the building needed refurbishment, another section was entirely new-build and a third section – the pharmacy – required immediate fitting for lease.

Of course, all of this needed to be done with a focus on reducing environmental impact, and lowering energy consumption and costs. We worked collaboratively across the entire project lifecycle, making sure that the team had a seamless transition back into the new building – a brighter, more welcoming, more sustainable space.

Making an impact

We were inspired to design systems and spaces that would create a positive environment for patients, while minimising carbon footprint. We installed LED lighting for energy efficiency throughout, creating a bright, welcoming atmosphere that sets the tone for healing, while of course being more climate friendly.

For climate control, we implemented a Variable Refrigerant Flow (VRF) comfort heating and cooling system that allows different zones within the building to maintain their own temperature settings. This targeted approach dramatically improves efficiency compared to traditional systems, reducing both energy consumption and costs – as well as providing better comfort for patients and staff alike.

Driving results

It’s pleasing to stand back and look at what we were able to make happen together: we created a medical centre that cares for both people and planet. The heating system is much more efficient, and the lighting and hot water systems now use substantially less energy than they did before.

The most impactful transformation is in the design of the atrium, which floods the space with natural light, creating the welcoming, bright environment that Dr Dhawan and his team envisioned. But we’re just as proud of the invisible benefits: reduced carbon emissions, lower operating costs and a facility built to serve the community sustainably for years to come.

Are you thinking about how you could transform your healthcare facility with sustainable design? Have a conversation with one of our team of energy efficiency consultants today. Healthcare providers trust us to deliver designs with a better energy efficiency rating, sustainable technology and comprehensive project management.