The basement of the 13-story Grafton Way Building houses one of only two NHS Proton Beam Therapy (PBT) centres in the UK. PBT is a cancer treatment that uses radiation to target precise points in the body with minimal damage to surrounding tissue. University College London Hospital (UCLH) set out to build a world-class healthcare facility embedding sustainability and energy conservation.
Arup played a leading role from concept to completion, bringing together specialist expertise in healthcare and sustainable building design. Our energy strategy captures the waste heat from the proton beam equipment, recovering 250kW of energy. Other energy-saving measures include a combined heat and power plant to supply the base hot water demand, a high-performing façade that optimises the thermal environment, solar panels, and energy efficient distribution systems.
The new state-of-the-art centre has patient needs at its heart. The first PBT patients were treated in December 2021. The building design optimises daylight into the core through a central atrium with roof lights. Tranquil outdoor spaces were incorporated for staff and patients to enjoy. The building façade mitigates visibility and addresses privacy issues while providing daylight and the ability to watch the world go by.
Sustainable design
Delivering PBT is hugely energy intensive and generates a lot of heat, placing a significant demand on cooling systems. Working with Camden Council, we developed an energy strategy that captures the waste heat from the proton beam equipment through a water-water heat pump, recovering 250kW of energy and reducing the load on the boilers. Other energy-saving measures include a combined heat and power plant to supply the base hot water demand, a high-performing façade that optimises the thermal environment, solar panels, and energy efficient distribution systems.
Building from the basement up
The PBT facility is located in the 28.5m deep basement. It was essential to maintain continuous power for the facility while the rest of the hospital was built around it. Our design team planned for the PBT facility to be operational early – to enable the PBT equipment to be commissioned and allow easy deconstruction in later years. A temporary plant on an external gantry supplied the PBT’s extensive power and cooling requirements. At the end of building works, the PBT facility was connected to the permanent plant room and the temporary facility was safely removed.
Focus on the patient experience
The building design optimises daylight into the core through a central atrium with roof lights. Tranquil outdoor spaces were incorporated for staff and patients to enjoy. Being in central London, the building is overlooked by residential buildings on several sides. The building façade was designed to mitigate visibility and address privacy issues while providing daylight and the ability to watch the world go by – an important aspect of the recovery process. The whole design focused on making the most of the location, which informed the decision to put the plant in the basement and on the roof.
Partners & collaborators
Scott Tallon Walker / BDP/ Bouygues
What we delivered
Arup led from concept to completion to deliver a sustainable and patient-centred building.
Our energy strategy captures the waste heat from the proton beam equipment, recovering 250kW of energy.
The building design optimises daylight into the core through a central atrium with roof lights.
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