University Maternity Hospital, Cork
An innovative triangular planform allowed this substantial new maternity hospital development to overcome challenges in connecting to existing adjacent hospital facilities.
- Location Cork University Hospital, Cork
- Client The Health Service Executive
- Scale 17,000 sqm
The Challenge
Ambitions for this project included the development of a substantial new facility that could function independently from the main hospital, but which would be connected at multiple levels to facilitate movement between the two. It’s placement was seen also as an opportunity to establish a new, more modern, public face for the hospital.
The Story
Avoiding negative impact on existing adjacent ward blocks was a priority. The value of daylight and views out, for recovering patients, was recognised. A strategy was required that would allow the necessary connections without compromising these unduly.
The Outcome
The triangular planform adopted for the building allowed connection into the existing structures at one vertex with two adjacent new wings of accommodation angled away to maintain daylight and views. The third wing completes the triangle and achieves internal circulation that avoids dead-ends. A substantial glazed entrance is provided. Internal orientation and wayfinding is helped by views into the landscaped central courtyard.
In the course of construction, a supplementary development was added to the project in the form of the ANU Research Centre at the top level, in a collaboration between the HSE and UCC.
