PHOTO TOUR: Goodman’s Field Health Centre
Alex Wroe Photography
Goodman’s Field Health Centre: After patients check in, they are guided to the triage pods or to designated waiting areas prior to being notified to attend clinical areas.
Alex Wroe Photography
Goodman’s Field Health Centre: A central reception point that enables support and observation helps to alleviate any patient anxiety and acts as an assembly point for community services after hours. Clear signage, accent lighting, and simple zoning serve as effective wayfinding solutions. Bengali translations are incorporated into the signage to address the high percentage of Bangladeshi patients as identified through community consultation.
Alex Wroe Photography
Goodman’s Field Health Centre: Special emphasis was given to natural and artificial light, the use of high-quality materials, and good acoustics throughout. This has created a comfortable and welcoming environment for patients, as seen here in the waiting area where the focus is around the courtyard and bringing the outside in through the optimization of natural light and introducing planting within the internal area. The furniture are warm colors which aren’t not too bold, so they don’t detract from the view outside. Dividers segregate spaces, giving privacy to patients. The area also has an acoustic ceiling, so conversations aren’t bounced around different areas. Lighting is warm and subtle to make the most of the natural light.
Alex Wroe Photography
Goodman’s Field Health Centre: Lighting is very important in clinical areas and in this treatment room we see three sets of lights. First, the ceiling lighting has been selected to provide a slightly warmer feel. Second, the Barrisol light hanging in a picture position on the far wall mimics external or natural light conditions, because there isn’t any natural light in this space. Third, the wall-mounted examination light is used for procedures and examining patients in more detail. The design team introduced color into the furniture with green chains and wood desk and on the wall artwork was donated by charity.
Alex Wroe Photography
Goodman’s Field Health Centre: The staff area has been designed to contrast with the clinical areas, by creating a homely feel through the use of warm colors and materials in very high finishes, with the aim of supporting staff relaxation on their breaks. The design incorporates subtle greens and blues with the introduction of indoor planting, again used to make people feel at home.
Alex Wroe Photography
Goodman’s Field Health Centre: The project is located on the ground floor of a new residential building within a mixed-use residential and leisure urban quarter. With limited natural light and access points, the project team proposed the location of the reception and waiting areas in the middle of the building, located around a central courtyard that provides natural light and views out to a landscaped garden that adds to the therapeutic environment. The garden is part of the wider development, so the team did not design this element. However, the design team worked to make the most of it internally. The windows wrap around the garden and it acts as a reference point for patients, which from the inside, can walk a circuit of the garden.
Goodman’s Field Health Centre is a new health and well-being center that delivers a range of primary care services to communities in Tower Hamlets, a borough in east London.
Medical services are delivered by a multidisciplinary team including general practitioners, clinical pharmacists, physiotherapists, and general practice nurses.
AECOM (London) was appointed to design the fit-out, delivering architectural, lead and principal design, and interior design services. The firm collaborated with NHS North East London Clinical Commissioning Group (London) partners, the practice teams, and patient representatives. AECOM also provided MEP engineering, project management, cost management, and contract administration for the project.
The team’s vision was to create a flexible zonal design that can adapt to changing service needs, with a focus on preventive healthcare. Flexibility and adaptability were central to this approach. This enables the facility to perform multiple functions as a general practitioner, surgery, a well-being and health center, and a community center.
Technology features include integrated telemedicine areas that are digitally enabled and allow clinicians to consult with patients online, supporting rapid consultations from anywhere. When patients arrive to the facility, they are monitored via integrated triage assessment pods so clinicians can assess early health risk indicators such as height and weight.
The health center is located on the ground floor of a new residential building within a mixed-use residential and leisure urban quarter.
With limited natural light and access points, the project team proposed the reception and waiting areas to be sited in the middle of the building. This location around a central courtyard provides natural light and views out to a landscaped garden that adds to the therapeutic environment.
Project details
Facility name: Goodman’s Field Health Centre
Location: Tower Hamlets, London
Completion date: September 2021
Owner: NHS North East London Clinical Commissioning Group
Total building area: 16,620 sq. ft.
Total construction cost: $4.7 million
Cost/sq. ft.: $$284/sq. ft.
Architecture firm: AECOM
Interior design: AECOM
Engineering: AECOM (MEP)
General contractor: Borras Construction
Builder: N/A
