Breast Screening Unit

What's the project then?

The relocation of a Breast Screening Unit from one hospital site to another. The new site required a complete strip out and redesign to form a bespoke new unit in readiness for the move.

How much then?

Around about £1.2M project cost.

What did Studio Mode do then?

We were asked to be the concept architect, project manager and interior designer for this intriguing project. Firstly we project managed several enabling projects at the new site in order to make space available for the new Breast Screening Unit. Then we worked closely with the users in briefing, produced concept plans, which once signed off allowed us to project manage the detailed design of the new unit. We co-ordinated the design team during the production of working drawing and specifications along side the hospitals appointed P21 contractor. Furthermore, we led the liaison with the hospital's estates team, infrastructure team and infection control team whilst maintaining a firm grip on the design throughout – especially with regard to the careful locating of the two wet processing areas within the new unit. We worked day to day with the contractor, clerks of works and adjacent hospital staff throughout the eight month period on site through to handover. Studio Mode then project managed the move of the existing unit from one hospital to another other.

Anything else?

Yes – Studio Mode designed a bright, colourful and cheery interior. The coloured floor patterns and light chutes are carefully positioned to denote where patient areas end and 'staff only' areas begin without the usual barriers of segregation that inhibit efficient staff movement between waiting room, mammography room and processing room. Our clear understanding of the department's working patterns and movement flows allowed us to design a highly efficient and user friendly layout and also a complimentary interior design.

Any tricky bits?

Lots. Firstly, at the new site there were several enabling projects of varying size and complexity required to create space for the new unit. Secondly, there was the relocation of the unit itself. The department had to achieve its targeted number of breast screenings for the year irrespective of the departmental move from one hospital site to another. We worked tirelessly with the department and devised a day by day moving schedule which involved the decommissioning, dismantling, specialist transportation, rebuilding and commissioning of the mammography machines. This process was phased in order to allow the department to continue its breast screening service throughout the process, sometimes across two sites, which was meticulously tied in with patient appointment letters. We carefully coordinated the relocation and re-provision of the vital wet processing system together with its complex computer system.

Any good then?

Without doubt. The relocation allowed us to design a new unit which compliments the department's complex and busy internal work flow. The users were delighted with their new space having been fully engaged throughout the entire design process and feedback from patients has been overwhelmingly positive.