Winning Architects Allford Hall Monaghan Morris based their design on the idea of using 'Jenga' style blocks to break down the mass of the building.
Paul Monaghan, Project Architect said:
“We wanted to design a building that didn’t feel institutionalised. By breaking down the mass and bringing a lively and dynamic heart to the building we think we have achieved this.”
The new Centre forms part of the Kentish Town Integrated Primary Care Project, an initiative which seeks to better integrate and improve the efficiency of primary care, community care and social services. Camden was selected as one of 6 areas nationally to pilot the use of a new mechanism for funding and managing the redevelopment of Primary Care, an initiative known as a Local Improvement Finance Trust (LIFT). Kentish Town Health Centre provides an uplifting, inspiring environment of high quality for users and staff, setting a new standard for modern health care provision.
"The James Wigg Practice and NHS Camden benefited from the services of the RIBA in organising an unusual competition for the NHS. Our aim was to select the best design for an awkward site, to provide an Integrated Care Centre (Polyclinic) in a conservation area. This was the first time the Department of Health had directly sponsored a design competition. Following an OJEU advertisement, 76 expressed interest and 4 were selected to make design submissions.The whole competition process and administration was handled with great professionalism by the RIBA team. Indeed without their services we would have missed out on a number of benefits and advantages that accrued from their experience and expertise.We would thoroughly recommend the support of RIBA Competitions to anyone contemplating a development which provides this superb way of selecting outstanding design."Dr Roy Macgregor, Managing Partner, The James Wigg Practice
Awards
- RIBA Award 2009
- RIBA Client of the Year 2009
- RIBA Stirling Prize: Shortlist 2009
- LIFT Award for Best Design for a Healthcare Project 2009
- Brick Awards: Best Use of Brick and Clay Products 2009
- Building Better Healthcare Award for Best Primary Care Design 2009
- Building Better Healthcare Award for Design Champion of the Year 2009
- Civic Trust Award 2010
- British Construction Industry Award: Public Building £3-£50m 2010
- Building Magazine: Public Building Project of the Year 2010
