

From confusion to clarity: a striking new entrance that elevates the hospital arrival experience.
This three-storey extension redefines the hospital’s main entrance, creating a clear, welcoming and highly functional arrival space. Replacing a set-back and confusing access point, the new splayed, glazed façade establishes a strong civic presence and intuitively guides visitors inside. The extension connects directly to paediatrics and parental accommodation, while introducing public amenities including retail, dining and faith spaces. At its core, a light-filled atrium reduces congestion and improves circulation, anchored by a central stair and lift core providing access to upper floors. Shaped through extensive engagement with staff and patients, the design delivers a contemporary, inclusive environment that enhances wellbeing and significantly improves the overall visitor experience.
Hull
2023
Hull University Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust
BREEAM Excellence
£8 million
2500 sq.m
The Ashcourt Group, Zenith Development Group
Truby Stevenson
DKP Consulting
Mott MacDonald
Ares Landscape Architects
Winner – The Planning Awards ‘Design Excellence’
Shortlisted – IHEEM Awards
Shortlisted – BBH Awards
Jess Wilkinson
Paul Foster
Owen Nuttall
“The front entrance is a very busy space but the new design has created a very pleasant, clean place to be. What made this project more difficult was having the shell and fit out carried out by two contractors and Race Cottam had to deal with two teams of contractors. In a live hospital environment, adjoining an occupied tower block and being the main access point for the main building at HRI, with a live link bridge to another building running through the site. All of which had to be phased and designed.
"Overall it was an extremely challenging project both technically and practically on site and RCA kept up and delivered their design and throughout were very professional and a pleasure to work with."







