1 The Commission for Architecture and the Built Environment has had a range of involvement with the Primary Care Trusts that are forming LIFTCos, including through their Enabling Programme and their Design Review Programme.
2 CABE have devised a list of ten points that they consider to be the attributes of a well-designed LIFT building. These attributes are listed below:
Good urban design, allowing the building to contribute positively to the urban environment and providing a clear, easy approach that is integrated with public transport.
Good public open space, with pedestrians prioritised over cars so that the building is not dominated by parking requirements. Cafes and other services that benefit from outside space should be situated to enhance the integration of the building into the surrounding area. Landscaping should be used to enhance the external environment. Public open space is particularly important where there are aspirations to use the new health facility to kick-start regeneration of the surrounding area.
A clear plan, with a natural progression from public to treatment rooms. Ideally, visitors should be able to see their destination from their starting point.
Generous amounts of natural light and ventilation, contributing to good and energy efficient environmental conditions throughout. As well as providing a comfortable and therapeutic environment, this assists with the human scale of the elevations, provides views and aids way finding within.
Capacity to adapt to future changes in the healthcare service by sizing rooms generously and laying them out thoughtfully. Many new primary healthcare buildings will be housing people and organisations that have not shared accommodation before - it is CABE's view that space should be viewed as a resource, not a territory, allowing patterns of use to evolve over time.
A single reception point. This makes for a clear expression of the entrance on the outside, an early welcome once inside and assists in orientation when travelling around the building. Security and privacy issues can be resolved in the detailed design of the reception area.
Circulation and waiting areas that are places in their own right. The sizing of the clinical spaces of primary healthcare buildings are likely to be determined by Health Building Notes; therefore the journey to the treatment room and the waiting areas are the main opportunities for designers to creatively enhance the basic facilities. Waiting areas are often integrated into the circulation and care should be taken that both areas benefit from this relationship.
Robust and attractive materials, finishes and furnishing. Structure and detail should all correspond to a clear approach to design and there will also be on-going benefit for whole life costs as maintenance and replacement is reduced.
Adequate and effectively planned storage.
A layout that encourages community use out of hours. Ground floor space will always be in high demand, particularly from GP practices. In the interests of contributing to a healthy lifestyle, encouraging initiatives such as nurseries or art groups to use some of the easily accessible space would be beneficial.