Akerman Road, London SW9

• Client: Lambeth PCT
• Architect: Buschow Henley
• Market Sector: Health
• Services: Building Control

This was one of the largest civic buildings in the Myatts Field North Redevelopment neighbourhood regeneration project. It includes 4 GP surgeries, dentistry, children’s services, midwifery, primary care and community health services.

At 80 metres long, the internal structural design of the building mimics the massing of a church and the external appearance was designed to resemble a flat-fronted London terrace. A sequence of precast concrete arches mark the varied uses within the building. The centre arch marks the entrance to the centre and MLM were involved very early in the design to ensure fire safety requirements were met and the fire brigade were fully engaged in the process.

To meet current Department of Health sustainability standards the building was designed to achieve an excellent BREEAM rating and will contribute to efficiently managed energy use.

The design employs a compact plan, low surface area, thermal mass (concrete frame), green/ brown roofs, biomass boilers, natural ventilation (except where prevented by NHS guidance) and achieves a daylight factor of 4%.