A new health centre in Bristol, designed and constructed to achieve the highest sustainability ratings. has opened its doors to patients.
The purpose-built Marksbury Road Surgery is part of Bridge View Medical, which unites four South Bristol GP surgeries.
Moving from a 1930s building, patients at Marksbury Road can now benefit from improved facilities, including 20 different consulting rooms for treatments and minor operations and an onsite pharmacy.
Dr Sue Latham, a GP partner, said: “It’s been in the planning for some time and not only does it offer first-rate facilities for all our patients, it also offers all our staff state-of-the-art working conditions.”
GPs had sustainability high on their list of priorities when working with architects and project managers at real estate adviser, GVA, to deliver the new health centre.
To help achieve a BREEAM ‘Excellent’ rating, GVA adopted an innovative approach to construction, namely the inclusion of a pre-fabricated cross-laminated timber frame.
It is believed that the Marksbury Road Surgery is one of the first medical practices in the UK to benefit from this construction method.
GVA has been advising the practice through all stages of delivery of the £2.5m construction project, from consultancy, funding advice, and land acquisition, through to design and project management.
The timber frame – which took just five weeks to erect - is just one of the features that helped the new building achieve its important eco credentials.
Photo voltaic panels on the roof help to heat the water, while a Sustainable Drainage System is a natural approach to managing surface water drainage.
Christian Cartlidge, project manager at GVA in Bristol, said: “Having a sustainable building was high on the list of priorities for the GPs.
“We’re delighted this has now reached fruition and we’ve been able to deliver a modern, state-of-the-art centre.
“Timber frames make the speed of construction a very-attractive proposition, while playing an important part in our aim to achieve BREEAM ‘Excellent’ status for the building.
“The new practice is designed over two floors, with enhanced facilities for patients.
“Light, airy and spacious, the new centre will provide a much-improved environment for the practice’s patients and staff.”
The main contractor for the project was Melhuish & Saunders.
