NBBJ win new children's hospital in Ireland

The new Children’s Hospital of Ireland in Dublin and Ambulatory & Urgent Care Centre at Tallaght will be designed by the London studio of international practice, NBBJ Architects, in collaboration with Dublin-based Murray O’Laoire and Brian O’Connell Associates.

Amalgamating the services of three existing children’s hospitals, the project will comprise a 400 bed, 100,000sqm main hospital in the heart of Dublin city, and a 10,000sqm Ambulatory and Urgent Care Centre in the Southwest suburb of Tallaght. The facilities will provide a full range of clinical, teaching and research specialties in an environment that is fully supportive of children, young people and their families and staff.

David Lewis of NBBJ architects, said: “These projects offer a wonderful opportunity to advance the art and science of healthcare facilities for children.”

Announced by Ireland’s Prime Minister, Brian Cowen, the new landmark facilities form part of a new HSE initiative for the cohesive delivery of healthcare for children in Ireland. Minister for Health and Children, Mary Harney says, “There is no more important building in the health area than this project. It is a priority for funding and funding is provided in the capital plan”.