Ormond Street goes green with £320million extension
THIS is the new £321 million eco-extension to Great Ormond Street Hospital.
Work began this week on the first phase of a major redevelopment of the famous children's hospital, which will expand its capacity by 20 per cent.
The two glass buildings are thought to be the most environmentally sound hospital buildings in the UK. They will house new wards where parents can stay alongside their children, as well as operating theatres, imaging facilities, an office and a staff and family restaurant.
The 30,000sqm Mittal Children's Medical Centre is named in honour of Aditya Mittal and his wife Megha.
Mr Mittal is the son of steel magnate Lakshmi Mittal. The couple have donated £15 million to the project.
The centre, designed by Llewelyn Davies Yeang architects, will be carbon-neutral.
The first phase comprises an eight-storey block and will include a new cardiac unit, theatres, and renal and neurological units. This part of the site will be named in honour of investment bank Morgan Stanley, which has pledged £10 million towards the project. It is due to be completed in 2012.
Its energy-saving technologies include sensor taps and water-efficient toilets and showers.
It will be fitted with two cooling power units. It is hoped they will lower hospital emissions by 60 per cent.
The second phase of the scheme, due to be complete in 2016, involves the refurbishment of the cardiac wing in the Southwood building.
Dr Jane Collins, the chief executive of GOSH, said today: "The Southwood building is one of the oldest buildings in London being used for patient care.
"Inconvenient, cramped and outdated wards with little space to accommodate modern equipment will be replaced with new facilities where parents can sleep alongside their child in comfort." The Government has contributed £75 million towards the redevelopment.
