Work involves demolition of most of the existing Edwardian hospital buildings and reconstruction of the hospital set in parkland. The project, set for completion in 2015, will create what is being called ‘the UK's first children's health park'.
It is being delivered by the Acorn consortium, comprising John Laing, Laing O’Rourke and Interserve. Laing O’Rourke will lead on the £167m construction element, with significant offsite work. Interserve will provide facilities management, worth £50m, and is providing 20% of the consortium’s equity.
John Laing and Laing O’Rourke each hold 40%.
The new hospital is being built on behalf of Alder Hey Children’s NHS Foundation Trust and will have a floor area of 51,000m2. It will contain 270 beds and 16 operating theatres.
Consulting engineer WSP has worked on the project since 2010, providing design services to the Acorn consortium’s winning bid.
Responding to client Laing O’Rourke’s brief to reduce on site labour, maximise off site construction and improve health and safety generally, WSP has designed and detailed most structural components, including the load bearing sandwich panel façade, so that they can be manufactured efficiently off site.
WSP project director Malcolm Davidson said: “Alder Hey hospital is going to truly iconic, it will be talked about for years to come. The design is a unique integration of engineering and architecture and was designed with its patients, children and staff, in mind every step of the way. It is very exciting that these designs are about to be brought into reality and we are immensely proud to have been part of, and continue to be part of this innovative, ground breaking and important project. It set a new benchmark in children’s healthcare design for decades to come.”
The project has slipped over the past couple of years. When Acorn was first selected in February 2012, the intention was to start construction that summer to achieve an opening date of October 2014, to coincide with the hospital’s centenary.
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