Move to new state-of-the-art cardiothoracic center furthers Royal Papworth’s reputation as a leading heart and lung hospital.
Royal Papworth’s new hospital, an advanced heart and lung facility with more than 300 beds, has officially opened to the public.
HOK’s London studio led the architectural design for the hospital’s new home on the Cambridge Biomedical Campus, set to become one of the world’s leading research hubs for science and healthcare. The building’s design embraces Royal Papworth Hospital NHS Foundation Trust’s ambition to thrive as one of the largest specialist cardiothoracic centers in Europe. HOK delivered the new medical center in partnership with Skanska.
“We are immensely proud of our new hospital in Cambridge, which is the culmination of many years of hard work from so many people, including our partners at HOK,” said Colin Glen, project manager at Royal Papworth Hospital NHS Foundation Trust.
The hospital’s striking architectural form, surrounded by scenic landscaped parklands, welcomes patients and families. Designed around two main atria, Royal Papworth’s new hospital draws natural light deep into the building and creates a calming, welcoming environment for patients. The main reception desk, visible from the entrance doors, provides visitors with a clear and central navigation point for accessing the hospital’s specialty departments.
The design further enhances the Trust’s model of care by creating separate zones for ambulatory or outpatient care, emergency services, diagnostic and treatment functions. The clear distinction of these areas creates an environment that is easy-to-navigate, streamlines admissions and allows for efficient patient transfers.
Royal Papworth’s new hospital offers patients immediate access to a range of services and also helps attract leading clinicians and researchers. The building’s park-like grounds, also designed by HOK, feature open, green spaces organized around a duck pond (a cherished feature from the old hospital) that provide patients, family and staff a link to nature that aids in the healing process.
To ensure the hospital can grow and adapt to serve future generations, the design allows the building to expand by more than 100,000 square feet while its standardized rooms can be reconfigured to address evolving clinical needs.