Aecom reveals designs for £671m Belfast hospital

Work on the 10-storey children’s hospital is set to start immediately, now that it has been given the green light. It will have 155 beds, 10 operating theatres, and an emergency department capable of catering for up to 45,000 children per year.

Construction works are expected to take five years and cost £389 million, with the overall development worth £671 million.

A digital render of the new Northern Ireland Children’s Hospital (Image courtesy of Aecom)

In addition to architecture, Aecom is providing NEC project management, civil, structural, interior design, and landscape architectural services on the project.

BAM has already won the role of main contractor to build the hospital.

Trevor Leaker, head of architecture and design, UK & Ireland, Aecom, said: “This state-of-the-art hospital is an important addition to Northern Ireland’s health estate, enabling the best-quality care possible while making a demonstrable contribution towards its ambitious sustainability goals. In line with its design and art strategy, the hospital has been shaped to fill the wards with natural daylight, with rooms sitting on the upper floors so children have views over the Belfast hills and beyond.

“It was essential that the design didn’t compromise on quality care, putting children and their families at the very heart of them. The internal spaces thoughtfully consider the diverse needs of children of all ages, incorporating a blend of calming, playful and age-appropriate environments that work together to foster a positive and healing environment for young patients.”