HKS Reveals Design, Retrofit Process Behind First Cleveland Clinic London Outpatient Centre

HKS collaborated with the Cleveland Clinic Buildings + Design Team to convert an existing office space in a 19th century building into the first Cleveland Clinic Outpatient Centre in London in England. The facility is now open and treating patients.

Portland Place Outpatient Centre is a six-floor, 28,000-square-foot building with 17 consultation rooms. The brief for the outpatient facility was to provide clinical services on an outpatient basis that included heart and vascular, respiratory and neuroscience sub-specialties and outpatient diagnostic imaging services.

Patients seen at the outpatient clinic are referred to the Cleveland Clinic London hospital for further treatment. The internal design focused on creating a positive, safe and welcoming space that is simple to navigate with plenty of natural daylight.

Converting the 19th century, six-story building to an innovative and compliant specialist healthcare facility presented challenges, including structural loading and installation access for imaging equipment and a narrow floorplate restricting options for circulation routes and patient flows. Structural reinforcement was introduced to the imaging scanning rooms and the slab below the scanning rooms had to be strengthened.

The installation and replacement route of the equipment had to be carefully planned and executed to deliver a compliant solution within planning conditions. The existing façade was structurally reinforced and carefully dismantled for equipment installation and returned to its original condition.

Repurposing the existing building to its new clinical function while maintaining its main elements (structure, vertical circulation and façade) significantly extended the life of the building and eliminated the need for a new build. A sustainable approach was also taken in the choice of materials. Timber wall paneling, rubber flooring and natural stone were all chosen due to their low end-of-life environmental impact. Existing bricks were also retained and reused as much as possible, otherwise reclaimed bricks were used.

The clinic is focused on patient-centered care and recognizes the importance of the family in the healing process as central caregivers and decision-makers. The internal arrangement of the building has been designed to be legible and simple to navigate. Public and family spaces are located close to the central public lifts and stair for ease of access. Additionally, all consulting and treatment rooms on the upper floors of the building have natural daylight and views to the outside and the link between views, outlook and patient recovery is a key principle in the design vision.

Design consultant partners included WSP as MEPH engineers and Waterman Group as structural engineers.