Blackpool Primary Care Centre PFI Bid

Sector: Primary Care
Client: Consort with Balfour Beatty
Role: Architectural Design
Value: £25m
Status: PFI FITN completed 2007

A large primary care centre incorporating several GP practices, imaging, minor operations, and outpatient departments in Blackpool. Building size is 8000sqm.

Two fingers of accommodation sandwich a generous three-storey atrium. The fingers are slightly splayed in response to a retained mature tree near the buildings entrance. This atrium space forms the main entrance, circulation, waiting area, navigational point of reference, and a heart for the building. An ETFE air-filled cushion roof to the atrium provides natural light deep into the building.

The three-storey glazed entrance provides dramatic views to the retained mature tree and beyond from the inside and an inviting entrance from outside which at night will glow and provide a landmark on one of Blackpool′s main roads.

A large overhang creates a dramatic covered route between carpark and building entrance. Large bay windows to the buildings main elevations provide panoramic views out and contribute a civic quality to the urban character.