The facility, designed by HOK’s London studio and Reddy Architecture + Urbanism, is the first large hospital to open in Ireland in almost 20 years.
The Bon Secours Health System’s new hospital in Ballysimon, on the outskirts of Limerick, is now welcoming patients.
Bon Secours Health System CLG is Ireland’s largest private hospital operator, and the completed hospital addresses a significant gap in medical services for Limerick’s growing population. The 23,050 square-metre, 96-bed facility has capacity to care for 50,000 patients annually. The hospital is currently relocating services to the Limerick location in phases. Once the rollout is complete, patients will have access to general medicine, specialty services such as cardiology and neurology, day-case surgery and oncology treatments and more.
HOK collaborated with Reddy Architecture + Urbanism to deliver architecture, medical planning and interior design, with HOK’s Chicago office contributing to the project’s interiors. The clinical and architectural designs work together to support person-centred care, which encourages active collaboration and shared decision-making between patients, family and care providers.
The facility is divided into two volumes, separated by a series of external courtyards and linked by glazed bridges. The curved block accommodates a concourse, outpatients, day-case services and inpatient bedrooms, with inpatient wards on the second and third floors forming an arc to offer panoramic views of the surrounding landscape.
The second block accommodates the diagnostic, treatment and surgical areas, improving efficiency with direct connections to supporting departments. The biophilic design includes a patient roof garden accessible from inpatient floors and a calming, nature-inspired interior.
The Limerick facility is Bon Secours’ most sustainable hospital to date. It offers convenient access to public transport, facilities for pedestrians and cyclists, and electric vehicle parking. Sustainable building features include natural and LED lighting, natural ventilation of non-clinical spaces, a high-performance envelope and strategically positioned plant spaces above high-use areas to reduce service ductwork. Sustainable materials and alternative energy sources, such as air-to-water heat pump technology, are used where possible.
“The opening of Bon Secours Hospital Limerick marks yet another proud milestone for our organisation and for healthcare in Ireland,” said Bon Secours Health System Group CEO Alan Sharp. “This €213 million investment reflects our long-term commitment to expand access to high-quality care, supporting medical innovation and creating meaningful employment opportunities in the Mid-West.”