Complete PHD FINAL

TOWARDS A NEW HOSPITAL ARCHITECTURE: AN EXPLORATION OF
THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN HOSPITAL SPACE AND TECHNOLOGY
by
Angela Burke, MA Art in Architecture, Dip. Arch. (Hons.), B. Arch. Sc. (Hons.)
A Thesis presented to University of East London for the degree of
DOCTOR OF PHILOSOPHY
Supervisor Dr. Renee Tobe
School of Architecture, Computing and Engineering
University of East London
January 2014
Abstract:
Present urban acute NHS hospitals are rigid architectural structures composed of spatial
and medical planning requirements that are underpinned by complex inter-related
relationships. One assumed relationship is medical technology’s affect upon hospital
space. There’s limited research exploring the relationship between NHS hospital space
and medical technologies. Furthermore, little is known about the implications of
emerging technologies (ETs) on future urban acute NHS hospital space. This study
investigates the link between hospital space and medical technology to visualise the
spatial consequences of incorporating anticipated medical ETs into future urban acute
NHS hospitals.
A unique single futures prospective methodology is adopted with a mixed methods
approach. This includes historical research, a quantitative investigation of four London
case studies and a literature exploration of three medical ETs (biotechnology, robotics
and cyborgization). Primary data generated from this study forms the basis for creating
scenarios of future urban acute hospital environments. Findings reveal that medical
technologies impact directly on hospital space, thus, confirming the existence of a link
between hospital space and medical technologies. Results also reveal that even without
nanotechnology progression, medical technologies decrease in equipment size during
the course of their development. This trend contradicts recent medical planning practice
which ‘super-sizes’ high-spec hospital rooms (see Chapter 3). Additionally, a campus-
styled hospital typology is determined as the preferred flexible design solution for
creating sustainable 21st century urban acute NHS hospitals. Findings lead to
recommendations that guide medical planners with the future-proofing of acute hospital
space by providing insight and alternative medical planning solutions that incorporate
medical ETs into future urban acute NHS hospitals.
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TABLE OF CONTENTS
PAGE NO.
ABSTRACT ii
TABLE OF CONTENTS iii
ABBREVIATIONS xi
CHAPTER
PART I: THESIS FRAMEWORKS AND STRUCTURE
Chapter 1: Introduction
1.0 Introduction 1
1.1 Background to thesis 1
1.1.1 Thesis concerns 2
1.2 Thesis argument 4
1.3 Objectives 4
1.4 Importance of thesis 5
1.5 Scope of thesis 6
Chapter 2: Thesis Frameworks
2.0 Introduction 8
2.1 Theoretical framework: Hospital Medical Planning 9
2.1.1 The Paimio Sanatorium, Finland (1928-1933), Alvar Aalto 13
2.1.2 Northwick Park Hospital, UK (1962-70), John Weeks 18
2.1.3 Ospedale Civile, Italy (1964-66), Le Corbusier 26
2.1.4 Summary 31
2.2 Contextual Framework: Hospital medical planning 33
2.2.1 Defining medical planning: Building blocks 34
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2.2.2 Current status of medical planning profession 35
2.2.3 Current medical planning design model 36
2.2.4 Design process of PFI NHS acute hospitals 38
2.2.5 Summary 42
2.3 Theoretical framework: Technologies 43
2.3.1 Background to technology development 43
2.3.2 Richard Feynman: There’s Plenty of Room at the Bottom 47
2.3.3 Gordon Moore: Moore’s ‘Law of Computing Technology’ 48
2.3.4 Ray Kurzweil: Law of Accelerating Returns 51
2.3.5 Robert A. Freitas, Jr.: ‘Nanomedicine’ 52
2.3.6 Summary 53
2.4 Contextual Framework: Technology and Healthcare 54
2.4.1 Acute Hospitals and Medical Technology 55
2.4.2 Current ETs and Healthcare 58
2.4.3 Summary 58
2.5 Chapter conclusion 59
Chapter 3: Methodological approaches
3.0 Introduction 62
3.1 Development and justification of thesis focus 62
3.1.1 Identifying research variables 63
3.1.2 Concept mapping: Defining hospital design influences 65
3.2 Research aims and objectives 67
3.2.1 Confirming the assumed relationship between hospital
space and technology 67
3.2.2 Investigating technology’s influence as a driver of hospital
iv
medical planning 68
3.2.3 Investigating the implications of medical ETs for future
UAT treatments and associated hospital spaces 69
3.2.4 Assess the necessity for flexible hospital design solutions 69
3.3 Research framework 70
3.4 Research Design 74
3.5 Quantitative framework: Case study sample criteria 74
3.6 Data collection 76
3.7 Data analysis: Case studies 77
3.8 Data Analysis: Scenario creation 79
3.9 Limitations 81
PART II: EXPLORING TECHNOLOGY’S RELATIONSHIP WITH
HOSPITAL SPACE
Chapter 4: Historical influences of UK hospital space
4.0 Introduction 84
4.1 Organisational influences: The NHS 84
4.1.1 Pre 1948: Royal and voluntary hospitals 84
4.1.2 Post 1948: The NHS 86
4.1.3 Analysis of organisational findings 88
4.2 Medical influences: Post-16th century 90
4.2.1 Medical knowledge: The development of western medicine 90
4.2.2 Medical practice: Development of clinical and acute care 95
4.2.3 Delivery of medical practice: The impact of British services 97
4.2.4 Medical processes: The concept of separated care 100
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4.2.5 Analysis of medical findings 104
4.3 Architectural influences: Post-16th century 110
4.3.1 16th- 20th century hospitals: The source of revolutionary
hospital designs 110
4.3.2 Early-20th century hospitals 114
4.3.3 British Hospital Design Research (HDR) 120
4.3.4 Typological outcomes of British HDR (1960s-2000) 123
4.3.5 Post 1990s: PFI 130
4.3.6 Analysis of architectural influences 134
4.4 Chapter analysis 139
Chapter 5: Technology’s relationship with hospital space
5.0 Introduction 141
5.1 Pre-electrification technology 142
5.1.1 Growth of microscopy (post-1800s) 142
5.1.2 Development of vaccinations (1796) 144
5.1.3 Patient observation and the stethoscope (1816) 145
5.1.4 Use of anaesthesia and sterilisation (post 1840s) 147
5.1.5 Surgical investigations and new medical knowledge 148
5.1.6 Analysis of pre-electrical technology 152
5.2 Post-electrification technology 155
5.2.1 Early-electrical years (1895-1950s) 155
5.2.2 Development of Radiology department 165
5.2.3 20th century surgical innovation 171
5.2.4 Laboratory Revolutions 176
5.2.5 Development of acute patient care 182
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5.2.6 Analysis of post-electrical technology 184
5.3 Analysis of chapter findings 188
Chapter 6: Typological Case studies
6.1 Description of case study sample 196
6.2 Case Study No.1: Background to the RLH
(Bart’s & The London Hospital NHS Trust) 199
6.2.1 The RLH: Current factual content 201
6.2.2 The RLH: Analysis of measured plans 202
6.3 Case Study No.2: Background to St. Thomas’
(Guy’s & St. Thomas’ NHS Foundation Trust) 206
6.3.1 St. Thomas’: Current factual content 208
6.3.2 St. Thomas’: Analysis of measured plans 209
6.4 Case Study No.3: Background to the Chelsea and Westminster
Hospital (Chelsea &Westminster Hospital NHS Foundation Trust) 212
6.4.1 Chelsea and Westminster: Current factual content 213
6.4.2 Chelsea and Westminster: Analysis of measured plans 214
6.5 Case Study No.4: Background to UCLH
(University College London’s Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust) 216
6.5.1 UCLH: Current factual content 217
6.5.2 UCLH: Analysis of measured plans 218
6.6 Analysis of hospital case studies 220
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PART III: EXPLORATION OF MEDICAL ET IMPLICATIONS AND
VISIONS FOR FUTURE HOSPITAL SPACE
Chapter 7: Exploring the future - medical ETs and practice
7.1 Defining ET principles: All about scale 227
7.1.1 Analysis: Micro v nano 229
7.1.2 Degrees of certainty: Driving factors for technology success 229
7.1.3 ETs in healthcare 230
7.2 Biotechnology : Definition and background 232
7.2.1 Biotechnology future trends 233
7.2.2 Spatial analysis of future biotechnology implementation 239
7.3 Robotics: Definitions and background 242
7.3.1 Clinical robotic future trends 247
7.3.2 Spatial analysis for future clinical robotics in hospitals 253
7.4 Cyborgization: Definitions and background 255
7.4.1 Future cyborgization trends 256
7.4.2 Spatial analysis for future cyborgization in hospitals 258
7.5 Discussion of medical ET implications on future urban acute
hospital space 260
7.5.1 Future A&E hospital space 262
7.5.2 Future laboratory hospital space 264
7.5.3 Future surgical hospital space 265
7.6 Chapter analysis 267
Chapter 8: Formation of future scenarios
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8.1 Discussion of findings regarding ETs 269
8.2 Discussion of findings of current urban acute hospital space 273
8.2.1 Discussion of 1:200 spatial implications 275
8.3 Discussion of future medical planning solutions 284
8.3.1 1:200 Medical planning solutions 285
8.4 Clinical scenarios for future urban acute NHS hospitals 296
8.4.1 Scenario No.1: High medical ET growth with full adoption
by the NHS 297
8.4.2 Scenario No.2: Slow medical ET growth but full adoption
by the NHS 300
8.4.3 Scenario No.3: High medical ET growth but full adoption 304
is not realised by the NHS
8.5 Assessment of flexible design solutions through PFI NHS hospitals 308
Chapter 9: Conclusion
9.1 Achievement of research objectives 315
9.2 Contributions of research 317
9.3 Practical recommendations for future medical planning research 318
9.4 Suggestions for further research 319
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APPENDIX A
APPENDIX B
APPENDIX C
APPENDIX D
APPENDIX E
APPENDIX F
APPENDIX G
APPENDIX H
BIBLIOGRAPHY
GLOSSARY
x
Abbreviations
3D 3-dimensional
A&E Accident & Emergency
ADB Activity Data Base
AGV Automated guided vehicle
AI Artificial Intelligence
AIDS Acquired immunodeficiency syndrome
Amigo Advanced Multimodality Image Guided Operating
BCI Brain-computer Interface
Bio. Eng. Biomedical Engineering
C&W The Chelsea and Westminster hospital
Cath. Lab. Cardiac Catheter Laboratory
CCU Critical Care Unit
CD Compact disc
CE Chief Executive
CIAM Congres Internationaux d’Architecture Moderne
Comms. Communications
COW Computer-on-wheels
CSSD Central Sterile Service Department
CT Computer Tomography
D&B ‘Design and build’
D&T Diagnostic and Treatment
DGH District general hospital
DHEF Department of Health Estates & Facilities Division
DHSS Department of Health and Social Services
DNA Deoxyribonucleic acid
xi
DOH Department of Health
DSU Day Surgery Unit
DTM Design Team Members
EAU Emergency Assessment Unit
EBD Evidence Based Design
ECG Electrocardiograph
EDC Emergency Data Centre
EMR Electronic medical record
EMS Emergency Medical Service
ENT Ear, Nose & Throat
ETs Emerging Technologies
FDA Food and Drug Administration (US)
FHN Future Healthcare Network
FM Facility Management
GBA Gross Building Area
GCA Gross Communications Area
GDA Gross Departmental Area
GDP Gross domestic product
GFMA Gross Facility Management Area
GMO Genetically modified organism
GOSH Great Ormond Street Hospital for children, London.
GP General Practitioner
GPA Gross Plant Area
HBD Hospital Buildings Division
HBN Health Building Notes
HCSTC House of Commons Science and Technology Committee
xii
HDR Hospital design research
HDU High-dependency Unit
HEMS Helicopter Emergency Medical Service
HIV Human immunodeficiency virus
HTM Health Technical Material
IC Integrated circuit
ICU Intensive Care Unit
IOW Isle of Wight
ISO/TS International Standardization Organization/Technical Specifications
IT Information Technology
IV Intravenous solution
LD Llewellyn-Davies (architects)
LET Light emissions/laser technology
LIC Laboratory-in-a-cell
LIFT Local Improvement Finance Trust
LOC Lab-on-a-chip
m meters
M&E Mechanical and electrical
MARU Medical Architecture Research Unit
MASH Mobile Advanced Surgical Hospital
MAU Medical assessment unit
ME Molecular engineering
MEMS Micro-electro mechanical systems (Microtechnology)
MHRA Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency
MIS Minimal invasive surgery
MIT Massachusetts Institute of Technology
xiii
MOH Ministry of Health
MRI Magnetic Resonance Imaging
MRSA Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus
MS Multiple sclerosis
NASA National Aeronautics and Space Administration
NEAT New and emerging applications of technology
NHS National Health Service
NICU Neo-natal Intensive Care Unit
NIHR National Institute of Health Research
NM Nuclear Medicine
NNI National Nanotechnology Initiative (US)
NPT Near-Patient Testing
Offices All administration areas
OPD Out-patient Department
OT Operating Theatre
PAPHE Present and future of European hospitals heritage
PDA Personal digital assistant/palmtop
PET Positive emission tomography
POCT Point-of-care testing
POE Post-operative evaluation
PFI Private Finance Initiative
POS Patient overnight stay
PTO Patent & Trademark Office (US)
R&D Research and development
RC Robotics-Cyborgization
RFID Radio frequency identification
xiv
RIBA-II Robot for Interactive Body Assistance’
RIVA Robotic IV Automation
RLH Royal London Hospital
RP6 Remote presence 6
SARS Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome
SOA Schedule of Accommodation
sqm Square Meters
Support Includes departments such as Laundry and Kitchen
TB tuberculosis
The Barts St. Bartholomew’s Hospital, London
TOP Technological Operational Policy
UAS Unassigned space
UAT Urgent-acute-trauma
UCLH University College London Hospital
UK United Kingdom
UN United Nations
US Ultrasound
USA United States of America
W&C Women and Children
Wards In-patient ward areas
WC water closet
WWI World War I
WWII World War II
xv
Chapter 1: Introduction
“Nobody made a bigger mistake than he who did nothing because he could do only a
little”
Edmund Burke
Chapter 1
1.0 Introduction
This thesis investigates technology’s relationship with hospital space to understand the
implications of emerging technologies (ETs) on future urban acute hospital space.
Chapter 1 commences with an introductory background to the thesis and the National
Health Service’s (NHS) recent hospital building activity (2000-2012). This is followed
by an outline of thesis concerns which lead to the identification of the thesis argument,
aim and objectives. Thereafter is a justification for the thesis and why the relationship
between hospital space and technology is explored. The chapter closes with an outline
of thesis scope and structure.
1.1 Background to thesis
The British Labour government’s NHS Plan 2000 set out a new NHS hospital
rebuilding agenda. This programme neared completion by 2012 resulting in over 100
newly built and renovated acute hospitals (Department of Health, 2007:3). The
architectural outcome of this governmental policy has generated a new landscape of
‘state-of-the-art’ acute hospitals which have been delivered predominantly through a
Private Finance Initiative1 (PFI) process that strongly emphasises economical solutions.
However, questions have emerged regarding the durability of PFI NHS hospitals (Gates,
2005:7). Central to concerns is the future flexibility of current NHS hospitals. From a
medical planner’s perspective, this thesis investigates the necessity for spatial flexibility
based on the ineffective spatial evolution of 20th century NHS hospitals. Specifically,
this study focuses on the link between hospital space and technology which establishes
the need for flexibility within future NHS hospitals. From this background, this
empirical study focuses explicitly on urban acute hospitals to examine the spatial
challenges facing hospitals with large cutting-edge medical technologies.
1
See Glossary.
1
Chapter 1
By 2012, technologies are necessary for delivering clinical excellence. Operationally,
the integration of technology into hospitals drives a healthcare system fundamentally
structured upon technology. Proof of technologies’ importance is demonstrated when
clinical or non-clinical equipment fail (see Appendix A.1). A potential outcome of
equipment failure is the possibility of unnecessary patient mortality. Therefore, the
importance of technology in the daily running of current NHS hospitals cannot be over
emphasised and it is justifiable to state; 21st century hospitals cannot function as
effectively without technology. This prominent status is anticipated to continue through
ETs2 which are classified as innovative science-based novel technologies that create
new or transform existing industries (Srinivasan, 2008:633-40). Anticipations for
medical ETs, such as, nanotechnologies and robotics, visualise future healthcare
practices as very different (Freitas, 2005:1-21). Therefore, if technology is an assumed
fixture within future acute hospitals, consideration for its spatial requirements is a
necessity. Upon Edmund Burke’s inspiration, that there is worth in doing only a little,
this study analyses the medical planning and spatial impact of anticipated medical ETs
on future urban acute hospitals.
1.1.1 Thesis concerns
The thesis is underpinned by three main concerns pertaining to the durability of PFI
NHS hospitals. Collectively, these issues lead to the identification of the thesis
argument.
The first major concern is technology’s influence upon hospital space. A key element of
this is establishing the existence of an assumed relationship between hospital space and
technology. Determining this relationship requires the evolutionary path of technology
2
See Glossary.
2
Chapter 1
development in hospitals to be explored. However, proving this assumed relationship is
core to underpinning the main research concern: medical ET’s effect on future urban
acute hospital space. This central concern is supported by literature that predicts a
radically different future for medical practice, such as, the use of nanorobots or
audiopaint, and raises two issues:
(i) What are the anticipated changes for future medical technologies and practice?
(ii) How will the incorporation of medical ETs affect future hospital space?
Therefore, to invoke the scale of spatial challenges that lie ahead for urban acute
hospitals, future technological changes must be identified to allow for appropriate
medical planning solutions.
The second concern involves the latest high-tech NHS hospitals and their ‘state-of-the-
art’ status. In the light of anticipated medical ETs, this study of current NHS hospitals
raises questions regarding their future durability. For example,
(i) Are PFI NHS hospitals sufficiently future-proofed to spatially cope with medical
ETs?
(ii) Will current ‘state-of-the-art’ PFI NHS hospitals sustain complete clinical and
spatial functionality throughout their contracted 35-40 year life span?
To understand the potential issues facing PFI NHS hospitals, the current status of spatial
design in NHS hospitals must be explored and defined. For example, why were the
majority of 1980s NHS hospitals rebuilt within 20 years? Once identified, lessons can
be learned from trends and outcomes of previously ineffective hospitals to confirm or
challenge the doubts concerning the longevity of PFI NHS acute hospitals.
Both of these key concerns are linked through their need to respond to an unknown
future which leads to a third, and main, concern regarding how future urban acute
3
Chapter 1
hospitals should be designed. This involves examining medical planning processes to
understand the anxieties expressed by medical planners regarding PFI NHS acute
hospitals. The present adoption of an obsolete hospital design paradigm is central to
these anxieties. Reflecting 20th century medical and technological demands, this PFI
NHS model is supported by a similarly out-dated NHS Health Building Notes (HBN)
guidance. It is the view of this thesis that this is not the design solution for 21st century
high-tech acute hospitals especially with ETs rapidly becoming a reality within medical
practice. Therefore, if technology is changing rapidly and the durability of PFI NHS
hospitals is highly questionable, the spatial planning of ‘state-of-the-art’ hospitals will
be greatly tested over the next thirty years.
1.2 Thesis argument
Based on the above medical planning concerns, the thesis argument is clearly set out:
Based on a defined relationship that exists between hospital space and technology,
anticipated medical ETs in future medical practice will radically affect future urban
acute hospital space.
In a bid to prove this argument, four thesis objectives were formed. Objectives are
supported by numerous sub-questions listed in Appendix A.2.
1.3 Objectives
The aim of this research is to investigate the relationship between hospital space and
technology in order to explore the spatial implications of medical ETs on 21st century
urban acute hospitals. The objectives of this study are to:
1. Confirm the assumed relationship between hospital space and technology
2. Investigate technology’s influence as a driver of hospital medical planning
4
Chapter 1
3. Investigate the design implications of medical ETs for future urgent-acute-
trauma3 (UAT) treatments and associated hospital spaces
4. Assess the necessity for flexible hospital design solutions.
1.4 Importance of thesis
Contemporary hospital design research (HDR) focuses heavily upon patient well-being
and clinical issues. These include; the effect of healing environments on patient
outcomes; the implications of single patient-bedroom designs upon medical errors
(Rubin et. al., 1998; Ulrich et. al., 2004, 2008:61-125). Studies that focus on medical
ETs and NHS hospital space appear non-existent. Hence, in researching the influence of
medical ETs on future urban acute hospital space, this study contributes to the gap in
this body of knowledge and, for this reason, is an original contribution.
There is a growing expectation for quantitative data to support all new hospital designs
due to the financial responsibilities of maintaining the United Kingdom’s (UK) multi-
billion pound NHS estate. As a result, Evidence Based Design (EBD) is becoming more
prominent in the justification of each hospital design (Bardwell, 2007:22). This thesis
produces a body of empirical evidence that will inform the medical planning of future
hospital space with EBD. All Design Team Members4 (DTMs), such as, medical and
health planners, clinicians and Trust managements as well as Department of Health
(DOH) policymakers will find the study useful as a tool to understand and inspire the
creation of 21st century hospital environments.
Strategies for future-proofing urban acute hospital space require an understanding of
current hospital design drivers and the identification of anticipated trends that are
3
See Glossary.
4
See Glossary.
5
Chapter 1
driving spatial change. Two underlying forces exist in the medical planning of urban
acute NHS hospitals. These are complexity and on-going change which this thesis
explores explicitly by examining medical technologies and ETs. The thesis advances the
understanding of how technological change will affect hospital space but the creation of
a new hospital design model is unachievable within this thesis. Numerous non-spatial
design drivers, such as economic and managerial influences, need to inform a new
medical planning model which requires specialist knowledge outside my scope as a
medical planner. Nevertheless, by critically assessing technology’s influence upon the
configuration of hospital space, the thesis provides alternative medical planning
solutions at different design scales5 to inform a new hospital design model.
1.5 Scope of thesis
This critique of current hospital medical planning explores the relationship between
hospital space and technology to determine if present urban acute PFI NHS hospitals
can appropriately respond to medical ETs.
Part I is a three-chapter discourse outlining theoretical and contextual frameworks as
well as the methodological processes contributing to the overall thesis structure. In
particular, key hospital design influences and concerns are investigated with outcomes
for further research identified and detailed in Chapter 3.
Part II consists of a three-chapter debate that defines the relationship between hospital
space and technology. Chapter 4 begins this exploration by investigating the historical
development of hospitals whereas a parallel discussion in Chapter 5 examines the
growth of medical technologies and its historical participation in hospitals. In an attempt
5
See section 2.2.1 for design scale definitions.
6
Chapter 1
to measure this relationship, four central London Accident and Emergency (A&E) NHS
hospitals are analysed quantitatively in Chapter 6. A case study approach examines the
impact of technology on past and present hospital typologies.
Part III is a three-chapter discussion exploring the future of acute hospital space.
Chapter 7 details anticipated medical ETs and their implications for future medicine and
hospital space. Thereafter, key trends for future medical practice are linked to the
hospital environment through the formation of UAT clinical scenarios in Chapter 8.
This is followed by a conclusion chapter which provides recommendations and
guidance for medical planners in the design of future urban acute hospitals with respect
to medical ETs.
7
Chapter 2: Thesis frameworks
“It is not the strongest species that survive, nor the most intelligent, but the ones most
adaptable to change”
Charles Darwin
Chapter 2
2.0 Introduction
Chapter 2 provides a framework from which to explore the main thesis argument. This
chapter’s theoretical and contextual discussions upon hospital space and technology
formed this study’s framework. Divided into two distinct sections, the first section
reviews 20th century hospital medical planning with respect to flexible design solutions.
Investigations examine successful 20th century hospital designs to identify essential
medical planning principles. This theoretical discussion critiques the importance of
flexibility and its relevance to current PFI NHS hospitals. As Darwin observed, survival
is driven by the ones most adaptable to change. This is followed by an outline of
current medical planning and PFI processes responsible for creating the latest legacy of
NHS hospitals. Additionally, this section seeks to examine the flaws surrounding
current medical planning practice which lack consideration for evolving medical
technologies. The second section focuses on technology which begins with a review of
the fundamentals of ETs. The works of both electronic engineer Gordon Moore (ex-CE,
Intel) and physicist and Nobel Laureate, Richard Feynman inform the theoretical
framework by defining the scientific principles that underpin future technological
change. Thereafter, ET anticipations for future medical practice are outlined and
followed by a review of the contextual aspects of medical technologies in current NHS
acute hospitals. The capabilities of medical ETs are introduced by the scientific works
of physicists Michio Kaku and Robert Freitas Jr. as well as computer scientist and
inventor, Ray Kurzweil (Google’s Director of Engineering, 2013). The chapter
concludes by reinforcing the concerns associated with inflexible designs supporting the
necessity for an empirical investigation into medical ET’s influence upon future urban
acute hospital space.
8
Chapter 2
2.1 Theoretical Framework: Hospital Medical Planning
Architectural products from the recent PFI process have provoked the latest discourse
for flexible hospital design. Amongst other concerns, one predominant anxiety for PFI
hospital buildings is that these ‘state-of-the-art’ environments are predicted to ‘be
defunct within five years’ (Gates, 2005:7). To invoke the accuracy of this opinion, this
section theoretically examines flexible hospital design to establish its necessity as an
integrated design component to create successful hospital building life-spans. Driving
this fundamental exploration is a concern for future technological change which
anticipates medical transformations to revolutionise future medical practice. How
hospitals will adapt to change depends on their available flexible options, opening
debatable possibilities for the premature invalidity of PFI NHS acute hospitals.
Architectural flexibility is defined consistently, such as, Griffin & Roughan’s
interpretation:
Flexibility really means the ability to locate into the building, over its lifetime, a
variety of functions, many of which might not be anticipated at the design stage.
Indeed, the variety of functions will suggest some form of ‘universal’ building type
which might be adaptable to new function within its shell in order to justify its
capital cost and avoid wasteful and premature demolition (Griffin & Roughan,
2006:15).
List of terminologies: Flexibility

3.4 A ‘flexible’ design enables different activities to be accommodated in a given space
without physical re-arrangement taking place.
3.5 An ‘adaptable’ design allows physical re-arrangement of building elements, services
and furniture (Department of Health Estates & Facilities Division (DHEFD), 2005:8).
‘Flexible (design) solutions’ refer to the combined terminologies of flexible and
adaptable design listed in points 3.4-5 above.
Table 2. 1 List of thesis terminologies: Flexibility.
9
Chapter 2
While a recurring theme for defining flexibility is ‘an easy response to change’ or
‘adaptability’, terminologies are often inconsistent and interchange throughout
architectural literature. For clarity, this thesis adopts three terminologies, listed in Table
2.1, which are drawn from the NHS’s HBN15 guidance.
Transferring these definitions into a set of principles for flexible hospital design is vital
to determining the durability of PFI NHS hospitals. Hence, this section’s review is
focused on defining these medical planning tenets. As it will be shown, flexible design
solutions in hospital architecture are not a novel theoretical phenomenon. Throughout
the discourse of 20th century hospital architecture, numerous innovative architects
emphatically expressed the obligatory importance of flexibility in hospitals. To
superimpose the relevancy of their theoretical significances onto PFI NHS hospital
typologies, the thesis is informed by works from two Modernist architects, Alvar Aalto
and Le Corbusier, and one healthcare architect, John Weeks. Their hospital typologies
were chosen for three explicit reasons. First, they exemplify a variety of 20th century
hospital design templates. Second, they were designed specifically with flexible design
solutions in mind. Third, and most importantly, all of these hospital typologies offer
successful medical planning solutions compared with other 20th century hospital designs
discussed in Chapter 4. Each typology is examined individually to understand why all
three architects agreed upon one underlining strategic principle: flexible solutions are
paramount to successful hospital buildings.
Numerous typologies exemplify 20th century hospital design but to address the concerns
set out in Chapter 1, only templates relevant to the sustainability of PFI NHS hospitals
justified exploration. Hospital typologies were divided chronologically into three
categories all of which contained three pertinent characteristics: to reflect alternative
10
Chapter 2
medical planning approaches; conceptual innovation; flexible hospital design solutions.
Long periods of British hospital building inactivity occurred throughout the 1900s.
Hence, it was necessary to consider European hospital typologies.
(i) ‘Sanatorium’ model (1900-50s): Sanatorium typologies of note include Bijvoet and
Duiker’s Zonnestraal, Netherlands (a precedent of Paimio) and Aalto’s Paimio, Finland
(see Figure 2.1). These European precedents were later emulated in Britain, such as, the
Sully Hospital, Cardiff (1931-7). This hospital’s medical planning received no
recommendations and was therefore unavailable for critical examination (Hughes,
2000:29). In contrast, Aalto’s Paimio sanatorium is acclaimed widely as innovative and
greatly influencing other designs, for example, Australian hospitals the Mercy Hospital,
Melbourne (1938) and King George V for Women, Sydney (1942) (Willis, 2002:46-7).
(ii) ‘Vertical’ model (1950-1980s): Burgerspital Hospital, Switzerland (1945) and
Soder Hospital, Sweden (1938-43) revolutionised mid-20th century hospital design
based on new modern and vertical architectural forms (see Figure 2.2). However, by the
time the NHS organised its hospital construction programme, this design model had
progressed architecturally. One architect, able to realise his then current theories, was
British healthcare architect John Weeks. His Northwick Park Hospital, UK (1962-70)
embraced modern architecture and the recently formed NHS organisation into a new
hospital typology. Resulting from Britain’s first and last national hospital building
programme, the relevance of this typology is considered significant within the context
of recent PFI NHS design.
(iii) ‘Horizontal’ model (1980s-2000): Two unrealised examples proved conceptually
innovative - Paul Nelson’s St. Lo Hospital, France (1949) and Le Corbusier’s Ospedale
11
Chapter 2
Civile, Italy (1965). While St. Lo’s was conceptually important as a precedent to
Gordon Friesen’s Automated Hospital in America, this new ‘matchbox-on-a-muffin’
typology typified another vertical hospital building (see Figure 2.3). Alternatively, the
Ospedale Civile offers a variance from the then popular vertical hospital typologies,
which was based on Weeks’ principles for Northwick Park Hospital. Ospedale Civile’s
horizontal medical planning strategy preceded the predominantly unsuccessful
‘Nucleus’ typology that dominated NHS hospital design between 1970-2000.
Figure 2.1 Bijvoet&Duiker’s Zonestraal Sanatorium, 1926-8 (Pearson, 1978:87-8)
Figure 2.2 Soder Hospital, Stockholm, Hjalmar Cederstrom, 1938-43 (Hughes,

2000a:38).
Figure 2.3 St. Lo Hospital, Normandy, Paul Nelson, c.1949 (Hughes, 2000b:38).
From a medical planning perspective, the next sections’ discussions will show that
certain 20th century medical planning concepts remain universal in sustaining urban
acute NHS hospitals for 2020 or 2050.
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2.1.1 The Paimio Sanatorium, Finland (1928-1933), Alvar Aalto.
Finland’s developing healthcare infrastructure resulted in the construction of numerous
hospitals in the 1920s. Similar to the UK’s recent hospital rebuilding process, the new
sanatorium for Paimio was commissioned through a competitive process. Aalto’s
winning design ‘catapulted him into the international architectural elite’ as Paimio
became iconic and renowned as universally significant (Schildt, 1994:67; Reed,
1998:28). The success of this innovative sanatorium model can be accounted for
through Paimio’s medical planning strategies, which Aalto expressed throughout the
hospital’s building.
Figure 2.4 Left: Ground Floor Plan, Paimio Sanatorium, 1929-33 (Gossel&Leuthauser,
1991:186). Right: Author’s 1:500 medical planning sketch.
Previously alluded, Paimio was ‘a variant of Duiker’s Zonnestraal Tuberculosis
Sanatorium’ which was drawn experientially from Aalto’s visit to Hilversum, Holland
in 19281 (Reed, 1998:28). This event, cited by architect Malcolm Quantrill, allowed
Aalto ‘to see a perfect model of functionalist planning on an open site’ (Quantrill,
1983:52). Zonnestraal’s impression upon Aalto is evident throughout Paimio’s design
which ‘incorporated many new ideas in hospital design and epidemiology when it was
constructed’ in the 1930s (Pearson, 1978:84,92). As architect Paul Pearson argues:
1
After attending the International Congress on Reinforced Construction conference in Rotterdam (May
21st and 24th, Paris), Aalto visited Duiker on his way home with whom he met at the conference.
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In medical terms both Paimio and Zonnestraal were founded on the theory of
tuberculosis treatment popular in the late twenties – isolating the patient from the
urban environment of smoke and pollution and effecting a cure by allowing him to
sit in the sun absorbing solar rays and breathing in fresh air (Pearson, 1978:84-5).
Innovative in structure (concrete frame), interiors (colours and furnishings) and medical
planning, the Paimio Sanatorium opened in 1933 to provide a calm environment for the
treatment of tuberculosis patients. The functional success of Paimio’s typology is
palpable from its sustained durability over time. This is represented by the building’s
functional evolution from a sanatorium to a general regional hospital to its current status
as a University hospital2 (McEvoy, 2005:65). From a medical planning perspective, the
success of Paimio’s ability to flexibly adapt its functional use is extremely unusual and
remarkable. Similarly, Paimio’s internal medical planning has changed minimally since
its initial opening. For example, Paimio’s medical planning strategy for public spaces
and circulation remain unchanged with 1:200 alterations including: (i) wards to comply
with standards; (ii) the library to a café; (iii) the common room to a lecture hall
(McEvoy, 2005:67). These few alterations raise a critical question; why has minimal
change occurred during Paimio’s eighty-year-old existence? Two salient features
explain the success of Paimio’s functional evolution: Aalto’s version of strategic
separation and decentralised standardisation as flexible hospital design solutions.
(i) Strategic separation: Paimio’s strategic medical planning concept (1:500) is
defined as a linear ward block with a separate treatment and administration facility
block. Both are accessed by a connecting separate communications block which refers
to access points as well as horizontal and vertical circulation (Noviant, 1933:90). In
addition, two buildings to the rear contain support service departments (Gossel &
Leuthauser, 1991:186). Observationally, the thesis identifies Paimio’s strategic medical
2
Acquired by Turku University (1987).
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planning concept to be one of functional and architectural separation (see Figure 2.4).
Architectural historian Winfred Nerdinger argues this strategy of Paimio:
The separation and differentiation of the various functions into distinct and
characteristic building parts that preserve their own identity yet are subordinated to
the overall scheme of things (Nerdinger, 1999:12-3).
This medical planning model was Aalto’s response as to how a building should
continue; to adapt to the requirements of the user. This principle of separation strongly
dictates Paimio’s theoretical medical planning concept, which Aalto advocated
throughout his career as a strategic flexible design solution. In particular, Aalto
incorporated the same medical planning strategy in his 1930 Zagreb hospital design (see
Appendix B.1):
Aalto provided a main hospital block around five interior courts. But the smaller
clinics for Surgery, Internal Medicine, etc., were given separate pavilions (Quantrill,
1983:59).
Reflecting on Paimio’s present functional status, its original typology remains intact as
a typological form of functional, clinical and architectural separation. This medical
planning principle is therefore identified by the thesis as an intrinsic factor towards
Paimio’s durability. With respect to PFI NHS hospitals, this medical planning strategy
remains relevant and employable as a design model. Yet, one could argue this model is
irrelevant to urban acute hospitals with site restrictions. However, medical planners
should address future flexibility at the initial stages of all new hospital projects. Should
the project consist of a restrictive site with no future expansion allowances, rather than
manipulate a known unsustainable typology, a logical solution to suggest is an
appropriate alternative site that caters for a proven sustainable hospital design model.
(ii) Decentralised standardisation: Aalto’s architectural design approach reflects
Louis Sullivan’s observation of ‘form ever follows function’ (Sullivan, 1896:4). This
basic principle of functionalism, where a building’s form is derived from its intended
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function, informed Aalto’s starting point for detailing Paimio (Lampugnani, 1989:112).
To achieve a flexible design, Aalto advocated:
Standardization, one of the chief by-products of the machine age, must be used to
obtain the maximum amount of ‘flexibility’ and variety, rather than be resigned to
the dull and monotonous use of reduplicated forms (Pearson, 1978:150).
Aalto believed that ‘the conflict between standardization and the need for individuality
and variety’ should be addressed through a ‘decentralized’ type of standardisation
where ‘the role of standardization is thus not to aim at a type, but on the contrary to
create viable variety and richness’ (Reed, 1998:28,35). Integrated with this approach
was Aalto’s concern for human functionality which he expressed was not emphasised
enough in existing hospital designs (Aalto, 1940). To elaborate, in The Humanising of
Architecture, Aalto argues that ‘to make architecture more human means better
architecture’ where ‘real functional architecture’ must function from a human
perspective (Aalto, 1940:14-6). Consequently, Aalto advocated that hospital
architecture must respond functionally to human orientation, such as: (i) ‘a room in a
hospital is occupied by people in a horizontal position’; (ii) patients in hospital are ‘in
the weakest possible condition’ (Aalto, 1940:14-6). These pertinent patient-focused
design drivers inspired Aalto to develop many decentralised standard details for Paimio.
All were delivered through medical planning responses at 1:200 and 1:50 medical
planning design scales (see section 2.2.1). Two examples highlight the range of Aalto’s
intent to create a flexible and adaptable hospital building that responds to the needs of
fragile sick patients.
The first example relates to Aalto’s belief in the importance of patients’ experience. For
example, in an inauguration brochure, Aalto focused on ‘his efforts to adapt the
institution to the patients’ subtlest physical and mental needs’ rather than architectural
details (Schildt, 1986:193). Aalto’s strongest response to patients’ needs is Paimio’s
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most prominent architectural feature. This is the overhanging ward balconies that allow
all in-patient bedrooms access to personal exterior spaces. This direct response to
human requirements for fresh air and natural daylight was, and remains, embedded in
the hospital’s 1:200 medical planning and architectural form. This particular design
feature is vital to human well-being and psychology and will always remain significant.
After years of deep-spaced windowless hospitals, ‘cutting-edge’ EBD purports the
necessity of natural daylight and views from both patient and non-patient hospital
spaces. Many later PFI NHS schemes have benefited from recently published EBD on
this subject which reflect Paimio’s medical planning theories. For example, patient-
focused design is supported by Prof. Roger Ulrich who pronounces its patient recovery
and financial benefits adamantly (Ulrich, 1984:420-1). Hence, eighty years on, Paimio’s
embedded use of decentralised standardisation supports Ulrich’s quantitative evidence.
Today, Paimio’s hanging ward balconies function as Aalto had intended originally. His
architectural embodiment of patient needs has endured against functional and
technological changes. With respect to PFI NHS hospitals, this design driver remains
crucially relevant to the creation of sustainable patient-orientated hospitals that have
become dominated by technologies since the 1970s.
The second example of Aalto’s decentralised standardisation was delivered through
detailed technical solutions:
The ideas of facilitating industrial construction through standardization and of

humanizing standardization...to achieve flexibility and variety (Enajarvi, 1929:37).
Sourced from functionalist ideologies, Paimio is regarded as having ‘the best and most
established Functionalist traditions in Aalto’s own work’ (Pearson, 1978:185). So much
so that art historian Goran Schildt’s description of Paimio is ‘every architectural detail
had a clinical function and formed part of the treatment’ (Schildt, 1994:67). Aalto’s
commitment to delivering standardisation resulted in almost 100 design elements.
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Architectural writer Peter Reed lists these ‘as heating and ventilation systems, daylight
arrangements, light fixtures, color schemes, inventions to eliminate noise disturbances,
special door handles, etc.’ (Nerdinger, 1999:12; Reed, 1998:29). Two examples of
Paimio’s ‘flexible standardisation’ were a noise-reducing patient wash-hand basin and
Aalto’s iconic Paimio Chair (see Appendix B.2). This chair, purposely designed to
assist tuberculosis patients with breathing, exemplifies Aalto’s attempt for Paimio ‘to
function as a medical instrument’ (Schildt, 1994:68-9). In doing so, Aalto’s
personalised attention to detail was incorporated as a driving necessity rather than an
unsustainable quick-fit solution. This attention to human detail has stood the test of time
but was overlooked in many earlier PFI NHS hospitals and may result in their
invalidity. Efforts to create flexible and adaptable hospitals only emerged in later PFI
schemes through the rationalisation of equipment and universal room types. This
strategy of standardisation will offer future functional, clinical and spatial options
similar to the flexible design solutions embedded in Aalto’s Paimio Sanatorium.
To summarise, flexible design solutions have been identified for both strategic and
internal medical planning. Lessons can be learned from this lauded hospital design to
resolve future medical planning problems. Nevertheless, Paimio’s strategic medical
planning concepts responded to a green-field and expandable site which may not be as
transferable to the context of a typical urban site. The next typology example, whose
medical planning strategy was drawn from Paimio, explores a British urban hospital site
and its associated medical planning challenges.
2.1.2 Northwick Park Hospital, UK (1962-70), John Weeks.
By the 1960s, the Hospital, Clinical Research Centre and Medical Research Council of
the North West Metropolitan Regional Hospital Board were crumbling NHS estates. As
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part of Enoch Powell’s 1962 Hospital Plan programme, these two facilities were
brought together to form the Northwick Park Hospital on one 61 acre site near Harrow
(Weeks, 1966:338). The re-design created a modern template for late-20th century
British hospital design. This typology epitomises the embodiment of Weeks’ medical
planning strategies and is examined as an innovative vertical type urban acute hospital.
(i) Background to Northwick Park Hospital
As a practising healthcare architect from the 1950-90s, John Weeks was aware of the
medical planning complexities associated with designing largescale hospitals.
Flexibility was a central driver of Weeks’ approach to hospital design. Three core
influences, embedded in Northwick Park, are of extreme relevance to current medical
planning.
The first influence was Weeks’ philosophy for flexibility which, as historian Jonathan
Hughes purports, was derived from physicist Werner Heisenberg’s ‘uncertainty
principle’ (1927):
The impossibility of determining simultaneously both the position and the velocity of
atomic particles...opened up the possibility of systematic ambiguity, of a world based
on probability rather than uncertainty (Hughes, 2000:96-7).
Weeks’ rejection of classical certainties in favour of Hiesenberg’s ‘probability’
principle, embraced a philosophy of flexibility that could respond to spatial unknowns
at Northwick Park. This theoretical approach to medical planning is as highly
significant to today’s onging evolving nature of urban acute hospital space.
The second driving factor was derived architecturally from two Victorian precedent
typologies whose standardisation and prefabrication of architectural materials allowed
for functional adaptability (see Figure 2.5). Weeks identified these as Isambard Brunel’s
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Renkioi Hospital, Turkey (Crimean War, 1855) and Joseph Paxton’s Crystal Palace, UK
(1851) (Weeks, 1963-4:88-9; Hughes, 2000:97). In the case of Renkioi’s 2,200 bed
military hospital, Brunel describes:
The whole hospital will consist of a number of separate buildings...all of the same
size and shape so that with an indefinite length of open corridor to connect the
various parts they may be arranged in any form (Brunel, 1870).
Conceptually, Weeks divided Brunel’s design into two categories of ‘determinate’
pavilions and ‘indeterminate’ corridors. This classification of Renkioi became central to
Northwick Park’s medical planning solution (Taylor, 1991:17). Equally, the concept for
Crystal Palace, where unobstructed floor space was capable of sub-diving into separate
exhibition spaces, influenced Weeks’ theories for managing indecisive briefing and
spaces for undefined functionalities (Weeks, 1963-4:88). In brief, the juxtaposition of
20th century uncertainty theories against 19th century engineering principles
underpinned Weeks’ own future-proof medical planning strategy with philosophies
from the works of Brunel, Paxton and Heisenberg.
Figure 2.5 Left: Paxton’s Crystal Palace (Copplestone, 1991:144). Right: Plan of
Renkioi Hospital (Richardson, 1998:91, Figure 89).
The third influence was Weeks’ flexible design principles which were developed from
the identified influences above. Introduced in his Indeterminate Architecture at a
Bartlett lecture in 1964, Weeks encouraged the use of his hospital design strategies for
typically unknown functional futures (see Table 2.2) (Francis et. al., 1999:44). Unlike
other architects who engage in theory, Weeks was fortunate to test his future-proof
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medical planning strategies in the realisation of a large scale ‘indeterminate’ urban acute
hospital. Commenting on his design’s durability, the thesis recognises the importance of
Weeks’ argument:
Northwick Park has been designed from the outset to be ‘indeterminate’, that is not
only internally flexible but never to reach a ‘final’ size or form. There is no concept
of finality built into the design of an indeterminate hospital; at the beginning only the
directions and method of growth are decided and not the precise form, which appears
as a result of the erosion of time on the original programme. An indeterminate design
allows for continuous change and growth of the whole complex without its ceasing
function, within limits set by the capacity and shape of the communications’ and
service network, and the total size of the hospital site itself (Weeks, 1966:338).
The ideas embodied in this typology revolutionised 20th century British medical
planning but this revolution was in theory rather than realisation for reasons described
in Chapter 4. Nevertheless, its significance is addressed here to identify the relevance of
1960s flexible medical planning solutions with respect to current PFI NHS urban acute
hospitals. For example, the importance of Weeks’ four tenets cannot be underestimated
as a set of medical planning principles that stride to advance the sustainability of urban
acute NHS hospitals.
Indeterminate Architecture: Weeks’ four principles

1. The major service and communications’ networks are separated physically from the
buildings served by them.
2. There is the possibility of independent expansion or replacement of parts of the
building complex without affecting the workability of the whole.
3. The design allows for interchangeability or alteration of use of several parts of the
building either during the briefing and design period or subsequently during the life
of the building.
4. Future building expansion is defined in direction but not in precise form. The
communication routes are defined in direction and form.
Table 2.2 Indeterminate Architecture: Weeks’ four principles (Weeks, 1966:339).
(ii) Northwick Park Hospital: Medical planning concept
Established as an 800-bed district general hospital (DGH), Northwick Park was one of
the first built NHS hospitals that intentionally integrated theoretical approaches into its
hospital’s medical planning (Weeks, 1963-4:90). Weeks’ concern for constant spatial
change was central to this approach:
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The problem is that of sheltering an organisation which has a rate of growth and
change which is so great that it makes its buildings obsolescent before they decay
naturally (Weeks, 1963-4:85).
Acknowledging this hospital design complexity, Weeks adapted a different approach for
each scale of the hospital design (1:500, 1:200 and 1:50). Using modernists Alison and
Peter Smithson’s city planning theories ‘of permanence and transience’, Weeks applied
his ‘indeterminate’ architectural tenets - separation of major traffic routes, differential
expansion, interchangeability and directions of expansion - to the strategic medical
planning (1:500) of Northwick Park. This strategy reinforced Weeks’ theoretical
principle that a hospital with an indeterminate brief cannot adhere to a finite geometric
control system (Weeks, 1963-4:90; 1966:338). Years later, Weeks re-emphasised this
principle:
Since any pre-determined program of space allocations for a hospital can be only a
starting point in the long life of a hospital, ‘the more carefully the building is tailored
to its program, the more certain it is to need alteration and additions very quickly’
(Architectural Record, 1970:101).
This specific medical planning principle is central to the thesis concerns of bespoke PFI
NHS acute hospitals.
Figure 2.6 Left: Masterplan of Northwick Park (Weeks, 1966:338-9). Right: Author’s
1:500 medical planning sketch.
Weeks’ flexible design principles were expressed architecturally in Northwick Park’s
medical planning masterplan as two defining elements: (i) a longitudinal indeterminate
corridor system; (ii) separate buildings connected along the spine (see Figure 2.6;
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Appendix B.3-4). Similar to Renkioi’s railway circulation route that transported
wounded soldiers directly from the harbour to the door of their wards, Northwick Park’s
conceptual street layout was:
The key to the comprehensibility of the building. The mobility of an indeterminate

hospital is dependent on the ease with which its building components can be altered
around the permanent (Weeks, 1963-4:88; 1966:338).
Runing indeterminately throughout the campus-styled building, this new ‘hospital
street’ concept standardised all hospital communications (Comms.). The hospital
street’s width was determined by anticipated footfall calculations. The establishment of
a communications strategy was followed by the assignment of functional activity to
individual buildings situated along the ‘hospital street’. Buildings were located as per
functional and spatial requirements over numerous floors which deviated from the then
popular vertical hospital typology which located functionality horizontally (see section
4.3.2). Positions of functional occupation were designated to achieve maximum
departmental and clinical adjacencies. Weeks’ approach was driven deliberately by the
principle that ‘the design process is, in essence, similar in town planning’ (Weeks,
1966:338). Consequently, detailed design was not incorporated from the outset of the
hospital project. Thereafter, each building was designated one department only where
each could extend freely away from the hospital street (Weeks, 1966:338). In the light
of rapid change, Weeks argued that the 1:500 strategic medical planning should follow
indeterminate principles:
It all depends on the frequency of change and how ‘convenience’ is

costed....Concepts of treatment and patient care are now subject to quite rapid, major
changes which will undoubtedly continue in the future at an accelerated pace...to the
point where gross misfit of function and building is intolerable (Howard, 1972:255).
In response, Weeks applied his ‘duffel coat’ principles to the 1:200 internal medical
planning of Northwick Park (see Table 2.3). How this was achieved architecturally
lends itself to Aalto’s strategy of separation. Each building and its clinical functionality
were free to flexibly expand independently at different rates:
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It was in the nature of the indeterminate program that the buildings be designed as
individual houses for departments. That way, the growth rate of each could respond
to later input independently (Architectural Record, 170:102).
Weeks applied his ‘duffel coat’ principles through four formatted categories where each
department was assigned to a category at the project outset.
Weeks Duffel Coat theories

1. No need for physical alteration to the building.
2. Departmental expansion to be measured by number of room changes.
3. Whole new complete buildings for whole new departmental ‘communities’.
Table 2.3 Weeks Duffel Coat medical planning theories for expansion (Weeks, 1963-
4:91).
The first category was assigned to hospital disciplines with high growth expectation.
These departments were allocated to buildings of indeterminate increments designed to
be open-ended for external departmental expansion. Departmental growth was
calculated upon clinical projections, such as, increased patient numbers and treatments,
resulting from new and upgraded medical technologies. Departments assigned to this
category included diagnostics (such as Imaging), Out-patients (OPD) and A&E. The
second category related to the standardisation of internal departmental expansion only.
‘Loose-fitting shells with internal subdivisions capable of adjustment’ were allocated to
departments where change may occur without the requirement for additional area
(Howard, 1972:254). For example:
In certain departments – such as laboratories – changes are likely to be internal

without a strong likelihood of increase in size. Structures for such departments then
are required to have internal flexibility in a fairly fixed envelope (Architectural
Record, 170:102).
The third category was for departments that required complete extra buildings. These
departments were allocated new freestanding buildings within the original 1:500
masterplan (Howard, 1972:254). Such departments included in-patient wards which, as
an outcome of increased OPD patients, would require additional overnight space for
elective procedure recoveries. The fourth category was for departments with no foreseen
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future changes or expansion. These included non-clinical areas, such as, Chapel and
Dining facilities. In this case, predictions proved incorrect as Dining was enlarged at a
later stage (Howard, 1972:254). Therefore, consideration for worst-case scenarios for all
departments must be accounted for by implementing flexible medical planning
solutions.
Thirty years later, Weeks reasserted that Northwick Park’s durability was ‘purposely
designed to allow for unspecific change’ (Weeks, 1999:15). Weeks’ reference to small
changes undertaken for clinical research staff confirmed the hospital building’s success
at adapting to change and growth. A new facility was completed, which relocated a
front door, but was built without disruption to existing facilities (Weeks, 1999:15).
Additionally, Weeks mentions a scattering of reconfigured internal space:
The buildings have proved able to adapt well to the internal re-planning needed over
the life of the buildings (Smyth et. al., 2006:41).
No formal medical planning observations have been recorded about these alterations.
However, while Weeks’ open-endedness was never fully tested, overall he argues that
Northwick Park remains a successful hospital masterplan (Weeks, 1999:16). The
hospital’s durability against time confirms the success of Weeks’ medical planning
principles. Furthermore, recent evidence to support this achievement has appeared in the
form of a proposed new A&E building (2012). Witnessed by the author, a new A&E
block will be added to the original masterplan but the hospital’s strategic medical
planning will remain unchanged once the new A&E is operational. This outcome will
execute the continuation of a successful flexible design solution. Hence, the thesis
identifies separated functionality as essential to current medical planning practice.
Built during the first and last national NHS hospital building programme, Northwick
Park acts as a precedent for current PFI NHS hospitals. As an urban acute hospital in
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London, Northwick Park’s separate building concept established a medical planning
strategy that avoided ‘a building that would be the optimum fit for specific requirements
over a given time’ (Spring, 1979:54). Instead, Northwick Park gave way to a sensible
architectural solution capable of flexibility and adaptability. In the long-term,
Northwick Park reflected ‘classic concepts of the 1960s’. These being ‘high technology,
economy of scale, flexibility for growth and change’ are not dissimilar from current
medical planning practice (Spring, 1979:54). However, the building was delivered over
budget resulting in its approach being criticised by the 1980s. Its popularity declined
after the 1970s economic crisis being superseded by the NHS’s ‘Nucleus’ type typology
(see section 4.3.4). This ‘low-key’ and ‘small-scaled’ horizontal typology was derived
from Le Corbusier’s unrealised Ospedale Civile. The medical planning background to
this horizontal typology type is explored next as a flexible medical planning solution.
2.1.3 Ospedale Civile, Italy (1964-66), Le Corbusier.
Le Corbusier’s Ospedale Civile is an unrealised late-20th century hospital project which
contrasts radically with avant-garde hospital design at that time. Ospedale Civile’s
medical planning strategies are explored from the perspective of designing an acute
hospital on a dense urban site. Additionally, this section explores the Ospedale Civile as
a precedent to the NHS’s Nucleus typology which, as a hospital type, was replaced by
many PFI NHS hospitals.
(i) Background to Ospedale Civile
The financial climate post World War I and II devastated construction activity. The
main architectural activity was intellectual in the absence of commissionable work
(Copplestone, 1991:20). Le Corbusier and other architects availed of this time to test
and publish novel ideologies that revolutionised 20th century architecture. Post-1950s,
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the financial and social effects of World War II demanded new and alternative
approaches to modern architecture that responded to ‘recurring calls for efficiency in
land use, indeterminacy in size and shape, flexibility in building use, and mixture in
program’ (Sarkis, 2001:13). A mat-building type typology evolved which architect
Alison Smithson defines in How to Recognise and Read Mat-building Mainstream
Architecture as It Has Developed (1974):
Mat-building can be said to epitomize the anonymous collective; where the functions
come to enrich the fabric and the individual gains new freedoms of action through
a...close knit pattern of association and possibilities for growth, diminution and
change (Smithson, 2001:91).
Transferring Smithson’s theory into ‘a series of architectural objectives’, architect Stan
Allen summarises mat-buildings:
A shallow but dense section, activated by ramps and double-height voids; the
unifying capacity of the large open roof; a site strategy that lets the city flow through
the project; a delicate interplay of repetition and variation; the incorporation of time
as an active variable in urban architecture (Allen, 2001:121).
Generally, a mat-building’s architectural form is of low-rise and high-density,
homogeneous in its layout and consists of a systematic repetition (Sarkis, 2001:14).
While the emergence of mat-buildings inspired Le Corbusier to develop his own mat-
building principles, it was from Northwick Park that Le Corbusier saw an architectural
precedent for urban hospital design: it embodied mat-building principles insofar that
‘the architect can design the system, but cannot expect to control all of the individual
parts’ (Allen, 2001:122). Similarly, Le Corbusier took inspiration from Weeks’
indeterminate architecture by designing extendable ends that allowed for any form to be
freely added to an indeterminate ‘hospital street’ (Howard, 1972:254). These
background events influenced Le Corbusier’s design of Ospedale Civile.
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(ii) Medical planning of the Ospedale Civile
Le Corbusier’s strategic medical planning for the Ospedale Civile was a low-rise
horizontal typology over three floors (see Figure 2.7). This ‘campus’ typology included
‘a 16-room hotel’ and was sized to a human scale:
The hospital organisation should be broken down into small, self-contained units in
which doctors, nurses and patients can readily feel their identity (Interbuild,
1965:10).
The medical planning strategy assigned one user group to each floor, such as, out-
patients, staff or in-patients. The outcome located activities with large public footfalls at
ground floor, staff and treatment activities at the next level, leaving the quieter patient
areas to be located at the highest building levels (see Appendix B.5-6). As ‘the hospital
is entirely for intensivecare patients, this strategic clinical arrangement was a highly
appropriate arrangement’ but Le Corbusier’s enclosed and viewless single patient
bedrooms were inappropriate within the realms of contemporary holistic hospital design
(Barnett, 1966:193). However, this design decision was driven directly by distinct site
characteristics: the proximity to the Railway Terminal and nearby industrial squalor of
Mestre (Colquhoun, 1966:221).
Figure 2.7 Left: Masterplan Ospedale Civile (Sarkis, 2001). Right: Author’s 1:500
medical planning sketch.
By medical planning standards, Ospedale Civile’s conceptual strategy was not unusual
for the organisation of hospital functionality as it reflected the then latest ‘match-box-
on-a-muffin’ vertical hospital design model (see section 4.3.2). The arrangement of this
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model fundamentally locates all clinical functionality within a podium while a ward
tower block is located on top of diagnostic and treatment (D&T) departments. In the
case of Ospedale Civile, the patient ward areas were horizontally distributed to form,
what the thesis describes, a horizontal matchbox of architectural articulation. This
feature, a strong representation of Le Corbusier’s mat-building theories, was part of his
alternative medical planning solution for Ospedale Civile’s future flexibility.
Le Corbusier employed two approaches to flexibility. Similar to Weeks, each strategy
was assigned to different scales of design. Le Corbusier’s first strategy enabled spatial
flexibility at the 1:500 medical planning level. Through the segregation of the brief’s
functionalities onto separate hospital floors, potential re-planning could be ‘combined
and recombined in groups’ around vertical cores of circulation (Sarkis, 2001:85). This
solution reflects current medical planning practice in the use of flexible hard and soft
spaces that allow for the adaptability of internal spatial expansion and contraction (see
section 3.5). However, Le Corbusier’s endeavour towards flexibility was further
influenced by prominent 1960s theoretical practice where a new process of achieving
spatial flexibility was introduced through the recently identified relationship between
flexibility and briefing:
Flexibility became a highly desirable quality in modern architecture, just as

programming was getting established as a scientific means for achieving specificity
and efficiency in the definition and use of space. This scientific approach to
functional specificity was linked paradoxically to spatial flexibility (Sarkis, 2001:81-
2).
For hospitals, the application of programming3 became an important feature of hospital
design:
Demographic changes coupled with improvements in medicine required the

construction of more hospitals with rapidly changing needs and unpredictable growth
(Sarkis, 2001:83).
3
Programming is the American terminology for the British medical planning terminology for ‘briefing’
and was mythically derived from post WWII downsizing of military bases.
29
Chapter 2
Flexibility became central to modern architecture, and specifically for hospital design,
as architect Hashim Sarkis argues, it ‘accounted for the margin of error in the
relationship between form and function’ (Sarkis, 2001:82). Similarly in the UK, where
time and money was scarce, there were ‘many forms of experimentation in pursuit of
flexibility: employing efficient programming of facilities to produce multi-purpose
space’ (Sarkis, 2001:83). Driven by industrial mass production, the process of briefing
was to create flexible efficient universal spaces. With regards to Ospedale Civile and its
ability to respond to future change, Sarkis argues:
Le Corbusier was well aware of the different positions on program and flexibility...
arguing that advances in the field (medicine) call for a complete reconsideration of
the layout of the hospital and even its role as an institution (Sarkis, 2001:85).
Upon this premise and Northwick Park’s philosophy, Le Corbusier embodied his own
mat-building principles to establish a flexible strategy:
Buildings transform into a series of networks themselves, and that these networks
acquire their shape from an external rather than a programmatic source (Sarkis,
2001:85).
Therefore, Le Corbusier’s strategic medical planning approach for an urban context was
not restricted by hospital brief or site boundaries. Instead, he proposed a principle of
organic flexibility which blurred the boundaries between hospital building and city
form. For example, all hospital corridors and courtyards extended to the surrounding
streets and open spaces (see Figure 2.7). This was the basis for Le Corbusier’s second
approach to flexibility: a co-extensive architecture for urban acute hospital design.
The remarkable feature of the Ospedale Civile concerns the building’s area footprint. It
unusually extended horizontally over 70,00sqm which was a radical departure from the
then popular vertical typology (Pica, 1965:8). Le Corbusier created this alternative
solution in response to its adjacent low rise and dense medieval urban fabric. Equally,
he considered mat-building objectives to respond to spatial efficiency concerns. In
30
Chapter 2
response to these conditions, Le Corbusier’s approach was to embrace medical planning
flexibility at an urban scale (1:1000) which, in vertical typologies, was restricted
predominantly to hospital podium levels only. Theoretically, Le Corbusier was testing
the concept of spatial flexibility and efficiency through lateral organisation not too
dissimilar from contemporary architect Ken Yeang’s sustainable ‘landscrapers’ (Yeang,
2008). At that time, Le Corbusier’s proposed machine for healing was considered
‘radical’, ‘open-minded and courageous’ which, undoubtedly, the Ospedale Civile
offered as an option for future flexible hospital design (Pica, 1965:8). These theories
were, however, adopted unsuccessfully in the NHS’s Nucleus horizontal type typology.
The failure of this model is explored in section 4.3.4’s historical context of NHS
hospital space.
While never realised, the Ospedale Civile conjures an architectural discourse that injects
conceptual thought into alternative medical planning solutions for complex urban acute
hospitals. This study explores Le Corbusier’s optional solution in the face of empirical
knowledge rising from the thesis case study and medical ET research (see Chapter 8).
2.1.4 Summary
This section set out to explore the fundamentals of flexible hospital medical planning by
assessing the factors contributing to long hospital building life-spans. Section findings
from the taxonomy of 20th century typologies are summarised in Table 2.4. Overall, the
thesis identifies three medical planning principles for flexible hospital design.
The first principle is indeterminate hospital designs that can be approached in different
manners. It was shown that each architect formed his own principles, such as, co-
extensive or indeterminate architecture, drawing from historical precedents of
Zonnestraal, Renkioi and Northwick Park. Notably, each architect’s theory was
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Chapter 2
underpinned by one core principle: indeterminate design solutions are essential for
creating sustainable hospitals with future unknowns.
Medical Planning Solutions

Hospital type Flexibility
1:500 1:200 Standardisation
Competition Decentralised
- Healthcare Separation of and patient-
Aalto Yes
building functionality orientated
programme standardisation
NHS ‘Indeterminate
Duffel
10 year ‘Indeterminate Architecture’ Yes but not
Weeks coat
building Architecture’ & ‘duffel coat fully tested
theories
programme theories’
Functional
Le Conceptual Co-extensive separation, Mat-building Theoretically
Corbusier project architecture hard and theories as not tested
soft spaces
Table 2.4 Summary of section 2.1, Theoretical Framework: Medical planning of
hospitals.
The second principle identified is functional separation which is underpinned by an
acknowledged state of ongoing evolving medical demands. Aalto and Weeks both
assigned different functionalities to individual buildings while Le Corbusier’s horizontal
floor solution dealt with functional separation within an urban context. The design of
functional separation was delivered at different scales of medical planning. For
example, Weeks’ 1:500 medical planning strategy consisted of individual blocks along
a hospital street while Le Corbusier incorporated soft and hard spaces to deliver
adaptability at 1:200 and 1:50 scales.
The third principle is standardisation which can be achieved through different methods.
Aalto’s decentralised human-centred standardisation was articulated at the 1:50 scale.
Alternatively, Le Corbusier’s approach was delivered through his own set of mat-
building principles while Weeks incorporated his ‘duffel coat’ strategies to enable a
loose form of standardisation. Collectively, all medical planning principles were
intended to achieve an architectural flexibility that would provide sustainable hospital
building life-spans.
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Unanimously, one principle dominates throughout all explored typologies: flexibility is
essential to the future-proofing of hospital buildings. In the face of future technological
change, medical planners are advised to:
Plan their buildings so as to render them suitable not only to the present well-defined
needs, but readily adaptable to meet new and ever-changing requirements (Kelly,
1934:33).
This finding contributes to the gap in knowledge that defines the principles required to
future-proof 21st century urban acute hospitals.
2.2 Contextual Framework: Hospital medical planning
By 2000, existing NHS hospitals were struggling to adapt to evolving healthcare
demands driven by population growth, demographic shifts, increased human life-span
and improved medical practices. In response, extensive UK hospital re-construction was
needed desperately. Testament to this was the NHS’s estate status which was past
refurbishment by the 1990s (Leach, 2007:22). The NHS Plan 2000 was introduced by
the then Labour government to reconstruct its ailing estate. Capital investment to deliver
this ambitious hospital re-building programme was, however, unavailable. The financial
solution was resolved through a PFI process which has produced some of the world’s
largest, sophisticated hospitals. Nevertheless, apprehension about the quality of ‘state-
of-the-art’ PFI NHS hospitals is expressed constantly by professionals (Diamond,
2006:42). To understand their anxieties, three medical planning deficiencies involved
with creating PFI NHS hospitals are examined:
2.2.2 Current status of medical planning profession
2.2.3 Current medical planning design model
2.2.4 Design process of PFI NHS acute hospitals
Additionally, one factor underpins this contextual framework: a lack of information
regarding future medical technology and its spatial requirements (Francis et. al.,
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Chapter 2
1999:25). This lacuna in the knowledge of medical planning is described, illustrating
how this deficiency is affecting the design of NHS hospitals negatively. Prior to this
discussion, a brief context to the fundamentals of medical planning is provided.
2.2.1 Defining medical planning: Building blocks
Medical planning is the design process which forms hospital typologies and their
internal spatial design. This process is divided into a three-tier structure that resembles a
biological one – system, organ and cell (see Figure 2.8).
Figure 2.8 Above: Step-by-step medical planning process (Plans of Oxford Radcliffe,
RTKL Architects). Below: Author’s graphical analysis of medical planning tiered
structure.
The medical planning process usually begins at the strategic level of architectural
organisation – the system (scale 1:500). However, quality design at the system scale is
only achievable through a complete understanding of all medical planning procedures
especially the spatial planning for medical equipment - the cells (scale 1:50). This
understanding, based upon the author’s experience, is vital for the realisation of medical
34
Chapter 2
planning requirements at all levels. For example, a hospital with a large number of in-
patient bedrooms produces a particular typology due to the necessity for perimeter
walls, access to direct daylight and fixed spatial dimensions for functionality and
equipment within each patient room (Kelly, 1934:33-35). Should the design brief
demand all patient bedrooms to be single occupancy and same-handed, this too will
produce a particular typology. Without this foresight at the cellular level, incorrect
strategic medical planning decisions are taken that result in inaccurate building
footprints and poor 1:200 departmental medical planning (the organ).
Medical planning is based upon a quantitative analysis of hospital functionality where
every function is converted into a measured spatial entity. In the UK, spatial data is
calculated and distributed through HBN guidance (Department of Health, 1992-2010).
Incorporated into NHS hospital designs since 1961, HBN guidance is structured upon
mid-20th century architectural theories. Over the past decade, medical planning under
the PFI process has been forced to strictly adhere to HBN spatial standards. Negative
repercussions from this outcome are described in the following sections.
2.2.2 Current status of medical planning profession
Medical planners are the professionals responsible for the medical planning of hospitals.
Their expertise involves in-depth knowledge concerning not only hospital design but the
whole healthcare industry. This knowledge ranges from financial forecasting and
environmental impact assessments, to the latest robotic laparoscopic technology or post-
operative evaluation (POE) data for the design of neo-natal intensive care units
(NICUs). Therefore, to create ‘state-of-the-art’ hospital environments that support the
delivery of clinical excellence, it is critical that medical planners are aware of cutting-
edge healthcare information. However, due to enormous workloads and insufficient
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Chapter 2
research time, medical planners rely upon other DTM professionals to source future
healthcare and technological knowledge. This reliance on second-hand information is
deficient and limits design innovation for future healthcare environments. Inadequate
awareness of future needs weakens the design of sustainable hospitals.
2.2.3 Current medical planning design model
Three contributing factors illustrate the context surrounding the current medical
planning model’s status.
The first contributing factor is the inheritance of the NHS’s inflexible Nucleus model
which dominated British hospital design between 1980-2000. The negative affects of
Nucleus hospitals upon functionality, flexibility and the health of its occupants, began
emerging in the 1990s. Even the NHS acknowledged the flaws in these hospitals stating
that the Nucleus model had reduced:
Fitness for purpose and the potential for flexibility; and – a lack of future-proofing –
capacity for extension, ease of adaption and future flexibility (Diamond, 2006:5).
Even though concerns about the Nucleus model were recognised widely prior to 2000,
no HDR or modifications to the existing design model were implemented prior to the
NHS Plan 2000. Unlike the Modernists of the 1920s, the absence of innovative research
prior to the PFI process resulted in medical planners inheriting Nucleus strategies
structured on an old hospital design paradigm. While the Nucleus model no longer
dominates NHS hospital design, the current model - a variation upon this theme -
remains poorly suited to 21st century healthcare delivery (see section 4.3.5). As
healthcare architect Lawrence Nield suggests of contemporary hospital design:
It seems that when people set out to design a hospital they seek to improve the
existing model or type, rather than question it (Nield, 2008: 255).
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Chapter 2
Briefly, a new hospital design model is required for 21st century healthcare demands to
eliminate the negative reputations associated with PFI NHS design.
The second contributing factor is the lack of specifically related NHS HDR that focuses
on medical technology and its spatial implications. At present, British DTMs rely upon
American research which is based upon different models of care, epidemiological
patient data and financial management schemes. As a result, quantitative American data
cannot be applied directly to the NHS healthcare system. For example, statistical data
relating to patient admissions distorts the local needs of clinical services and spaces. In
spite of discrepancies, American research continues to be used within British medical
planning models. This may respond differently to local needs which the author believes
may potentially undermine the longterm sustainability of hospitals.
The third contributing factor is the delivery of PFI NHS hospitals. Briefly, medical
planning under PFI strictly adheres to NHS HBN guidance. Based upon first-hand
experience of designing ‘state-of-the-art’ PFI NHS hospitals, the author questions the
robustness of current NHS HBN guidance. A particular cause for concern is the lack of
consideration for future medical ETs. For example, while HBN guidance is researched
thoroughly, one factor remains consistent: quantitative calculations for spatial data are
based upon current, not future, technologies. As ETs are expected to radically change
life styles and specifically medicine, the author questions whether ‘state-of-the-art’ PFI
NHS hospitals will cope spatially with the implementation of medical ETs. While HBN
guidance is lauded as the world’s most extensive data for healthcare design, information
regarding medical ETs is documented insufficiently within current HBN guidance
(Hignett et. al., 2007:1). Exemplifying this is HBN10-02’s document Surgery Health
Building Note 10-02: Day surgery facilities:
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Chapter 2
Imaging
1.15 Increasingly, imaging is part of the surgical procedure. Existing theatre
technology, involving TV cameras, ultrasound and X-ray fluoroscopy, is also
developing rapidly.
1.16 Changes in imaging practice will impact on theatre space and other
requirements in a DSU and should be considered at planning stage (DHEFD,
2007:2).
Such vagueness illustrates why medical planners lack awareness of ET knowledge but
is this sufficient basis for designing an estate worth over £25 billion of tax payers’
money? In fact, researcher Peter Scher4, commenting on the analysis of HBN schedule
of accommodations (SOAs), argues that ‘information for design in the NHS is in a
hopeless muddle’ (Scher, 2006:38). Additionally:
Other than research in the 1950s (Nuffield Provincial Trust, 1955) very little peer-
reviewed empirical research has been published as an evidence base for the HBN
guidance (Hignett et. al., 2007:1).
Such declarations support this study’s concern that insufficient information exists
within HBN guidance, particularly of data linking space and future technological
change, which justifies this study’s necessity.
Writing in Hospital Development about the status of the NHS’s estate infrastructure,
health service planning consultant John Leach discussed:
In the pre-PFI setting...the extent to which the NHS estate had been allowed to
deteriorate, with billions of pounds of ‘backlog maintenance’ due to the systematic
failure of NHS authorities to look after their buildings (Leach, 2007:22).
In response, the NHS Plan 2000 was initiated to build 111 new UK hospitals by 2010.
Of these, the majority of acute PFI hospitals are bound contractually to a functional
expectation of 35-40 years5 (Wanless et al., 2007:116). Setting this time frame as the
lifespan for PFI NHS acute hospital buildings, this study questions whether these ‘state-
4
Peter Scher, researcher at MARU, South Bank University, UK.
5
As per contractual agreements under PFI, each hospital Trust enters an agreement with a Consortium to
rent the hospital building to the Trust. In general, agreements are structured between 35-40 years but
depend upon individual terms and conditions of PFI contractual agreements.
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Chapter 2
of-the-art’ hospitals will perform efficiently throughout their contractual term. This is
astonishingly short in comparison with some Victorian hospitals still in operation and is
one reason for doubting the performance longevity of PFI hospitals. Two other major
medical planning issues relate to the thesis’ PFI concerns.
(i) PFI process
Recent NHS hospital construction has been procured through numerous methods, such
as, traditional and design and build (D&B). Post-1995, the preferred method for
reconstructing acute hospitals under the NHS Plan 2000 was PFI. All procurement
methods contain negative attributes as complications associated with building hospitals
are not explicit to PFI. However, one differential disadvantage resulting from PFI
contractual legalities is increased financial risk for consortia6. Higher exposure to
financial loss drives PFI consortia to impose what this thesis considers is a detrimental
medical planning policy; concisely defined spatial specifications embed an architectural
restrictiveness that contradicts more efficacious flexible design approaches to sustaining
hospital space. While spatial problems likely to arise from PFI processes will reflect
similar shortcomings from other methods, the thesis strongly argues that PFI
processional requirements will exaggerate future negative spatial outcomes. For
example, in the PFI process, consortia will not spend money on space that is not briefed.
Consequently, the size of hospital spaces is calculated forcibly to fractions of
millimetres. This policy favours reduced capital investment over sustainable quality
design. This process creates cost-driven rigid hospitals that will become financially
expensive to Trusts in the long run when inflexible HBN driven spaces will need to be
constantly refurbished. This negative consortia method is further aggravated by a lack
of financial foresight from Trusts:
6
See Glossary.
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Chapter 2
Health chiefs and their private-sector backers are reluctant to take the financial risks
that are associated with producing better designed and innovative hospital buildings
through PFI contracts (Booth, 2000:16).
Critic Robert Booth argues that earlier PFI schemes were ‘taken off-the-shelf’ and
‘simply failed to rethink hospitals’ design needs’ (Booth, 2000:16). So poor is the
process that Unison, the UK’s largest public sector union (2009), has called for PFI to
be scrapped completely (Rogers, 2009:5). In the same Building Design article, architect
Richard Rogers concurs with Unison’s argument, demanding that the government
should scrap PFI. Unfortunately, as long as government funding remains unavailable,
the PFI process looks set to continue indefinitely.
It is felt that current designs are not designed to deal with ongoing NHS organisational
shifts, as critic Damien Arnold argues:
An examination of new policy since 2002 alone demonstrates the rate of

change...The PFI process needs an overhaul to give trusts sufficient flexibility to
build future-proof hospitals that can adapt to healthcare changes (Arnold, 2004:7).
As the cause for rigid design is primarily driven by PFI consortia costs, the benefits of
HDR to create a new flexible design model should have been undertaken before the PFI
process commenced. Instead, as Simon Foxell of the NHS Confederation argues:
We are now reaping the consequences of not having done this in early PFI projects
and are having to modify and change what has been built (Arnold, 2004:7).
This is hardly the vision anticipated by Griffin & Roughan’s concept for flexibility.
However, adapting to change is not unique to PFI hospitals as Weeks argued long
before:
To accommodate growth and change in hospital design....hospital buildings must be

designed on the assumption that, in the long run, the brief is wrong (Weeks, 1963-
4:90; Spring, 1979:54).
While PFI hospitals are designed intentionally to be flexible, the reality of this
contradictory process is the creation of bespoke rigid architectural hospital solutions.
This unsuitable outcome leaves the medical planning design model under PFI
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questionable. This concern is enhanced further by the underlying terms of upgrading
technologies within PFI contracts. NHS Trusts will encounter additional costs for
installing new technologies and associated environments. Therefore, in contemplating
the NHS’s ‘affordability’ concerns, it is crucial that spaces respond to technology
changes to eliminate the financial burdens of reconstructing unsustainable hospitals.
(ii) Lack of technology information for medical planners
From my perspective as a medical planner, the transfer of technological information
within the PFI process is weak. For example, all design requirements for PFI hospital
projects are issued via Trust briefing documents. Currently, these reports do not include
information concerning medical ETs. This thesis anticipates this failure of
communication to cause long-term spatial design issues. Problems originate from two
main sources within the PFI process.
First, during the PFI process, medical and health planners collaborate to create SOAs
that are architecturally, clinically and financially achievable. This involves health
planners advising medical planners of clinical procedures, hospital management and
healthcare policies. Medical planners inform health planners of architectural
requirements, spatial benefits and restrictions. Combined, all discussions transform a
Trust’s vision into an affordable hospital typology. Therefore, for the production of
appropriate SOAs, planners must receive sufficient information. In 2004, this was not
the case as ‘architects were still not being briefed well enough by NHS clients’ (Arnold,
2004:7). By 2012, some progress has been achieved but the dispersal of insufficient
project information remains common practice. As a medical planner, this status is
completely unsatisfactory. For example, standard practice within current PFI projects is
to over-size high-spec rooms. This strategy is based on a historical trend of 20th century
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technology equipment development. However, the thesis questions: if the future of
technology is nanotechnology (one of smaller matter), is the creation of larger rooms the
correct solution for future acute hospitals? This question is central to the study’s main
research and demands essential exploration within Chapters 5 and 7.
The second source of long-term design problems relates to a Trust’s Technological
Operational Policy (TOP) document. Dispersed through Trust documents, data is either
not detailed enough or, in most cases, not issued at all (Barlow & Koberle-Gaiser,
2008:1397). Technological information, a critical factor for understanding future spatial
needs, is not offered within the PFI process:
It is apparent that a number of the problems faced by Trusts are due to the fact that
equipment services are not given early enough consideration within the PFI process
(DOH, 2005:1).
In response, the DOH amended their PFI documentation detailing how Trusts must
adhere to procedures during PFI bid processes (see Appendix B.7-8). However,
documents remain insufficient as sources of technical information for medical planners.
This gap in knowledge diminishes the creation of a new resilient medical planning
design model. Therefore, to reduce negative implications for future hospital designs, it
is imperative that medical planners receive detailed TOPs for all hospital projects.
2.2.5 Summary
This section has advanced the understanding behind current medical planning concerns.
While universal, most problems have been exaggerated under the PFI process. In
summarising the outcome of PFI hospitals, even the NHS state:
Despite these levels of investment, many of the new hospitals have not met
expectations for a step change in quality and innovation in design and clinical
solutions (Diamond, 2006:1).
Driven by numerous factors, of which, many are linked by a lack of information, this
study stresses the need for all medical planning areas to be revisited and reformed.
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2.3 Theoretical framework: Technologies
The theoretical framework for technologies is informed by four scientific works. These
are broken into two categories of technology and medical ETs. The first section
explores and identifies the scientific theories of Feynman and Moore. Both individual
works define the fundamentals of current technology which underpin the theoretical
framework for medical ETs. This is followed by an examination of medical ETs which
is informed by works from computer scientist Ray Kurzweil and physicist Robert
Freitas Jr.. Both latter scientists visualise the potential for medical ETs and its broad
spectrum of future medical possibilities. Works by Kurzweil and Freitas are formed
upon the scientific theories of Moore and Feynman. To begin, a brief background
defines the history and future projection of technology development to understand why
the current evolving rate of technologies is a concern for hospitals. This forms the
framework for this study’s technological research within the context of exploring
hospital space development.
2.3.1 Background to technology development
Rates of technology development are informed by works from Kaku and business writer
Alvin Toffler which contribute to understanding 19th-20th century technology
progressions explored in Part II. Their works offer alternative historical perspectives
that converge to a single principle: major technological progression is forecast.
EVENTS
TIME
Figure 2.9 Left: Graphed analyses events and time of technological progression. Right:
Toffler’s ‘waves of change’ (Maaw, 2010).
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Chapter 2
Technology has progressed over thousands of years through man’s ability to create tools
which Toffler maps from the perspective of the history of civilisation. Toffler quantifies
all social and economic events to establish technology’s current and future growth rate
(Toffler, 1980:20). Graphed data indicates an exponential rate of change has occurred
particularly since 1600AD. Toffler categorises these findings into three periods of time
known as ‘waves of changes’ (see Figure 2.9). This is based on ‘a succession of rolling
waves of change’ where each wave ‘identifies key change patterns as they emerge’ (see
Table 2.5; Appendix B.9-10) (Toffler, 1980:29).
Wave of
Principle Theory
change
Pre-17th century culture that evolved hunting societies into settled
First
agrarian communities.
300 year period, commencing from mid-17th century. Technological
Second development of this Industrial Age transformed cultures into mass
producing and industrial societies.
The Information or Scientific Age is the current wave of change
(+1950s). Dominated by computer technology, communications and
Third
data. For the first time white-collar and service workers out number
blue-collar workers, United States of America (USA).
Table 2.5 Toffler: Three ‘waves of change’ (Toffler, 1980:26-9,37-52).
From this ‘social wave front analysis’, Toffler identifies that the current status of
technology is embarking on a ‘third wave of change’. This development is driven by
computer technology advancements that emerged after 1950 (Toffler, 1970:386). The
thesis summarises the significance of Toffler’s principles: (i) technology growth has
evolved radically since 1600; (ii) the ‘third wave of change’ has only begun to
experience current technology’s full capacity.
Alternatively, Kaku offers his theory for technology progression from a quantum
physics perspective. Kaku’s Three Revolutions attributes all pre-2000 technology
progression as an era whereby:
The Age of Discovery in science is coming to a close, opening up an Age of Mastery

(Kaku, 1998:404,5).
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This theory is supported by the principle that 19th century progression was ‘a period of
intense scientific discovery’ while the 20th century discovered ‘the basic laws of matter,
life and computation’ (Kaku, 1998:4). Amalgamated, both centuries’ scientific
discoveries allowed for all matter and life to be understood. This was achieved through
three technological developments which are the founding components of medical ETs:
Quantum, Computer and Biomolecular Revolutions.
The first ‘Quantum’ revolution began with the discovery of the Standard Model of
quantum theory (1925). Scientists could finally ‘predict the properties of everything
from tiny subatomic quarks to giant supernovas in outer space’ (Kaku, 1998:8). With
the mechanics of matter defined, the ‘Quantum’ revolution progresses presently with
the development of creating matter. For example, the discovery of deoxyribonucleic
acid (DNA) molecules (1953) allowed for the detection of cancerous tumours. Today,
research is focused on discovering a cure for this terminal disease which Kaku believes
will arrive by 2020 (Kaku, 1998:172).
The second ‘Computer’ revolution commenced with the invention of the transistor by
Bell Laboratories, 1948 (Kaku, 1998:8). This discovery was a defining turning point in
technology’s history. Since then, technology has evolved exponentially using ‘quantum
mechanical devices’ to develop home computing by the 1980s and the internet a decade
later. However, Kaku anticipates the next ‘Computer’ phenomenon to be ubiquitous
computerisation (Kaku, 1998:8). Scientifically based, Kaku argues technology will
become so affordable, invisible and embedded that intelligence will exist in every object
(Kaku, 1998:36). For example, self-driving cars will be developed from ‘smart
technologies’ that respond to equally intelligent ‘smart roads’ (Kaku, 1998:38-40). Part
of this ‘Computer’ revolution, Kaku anticipates, will be the prominent development of
robotics that will understand human language while recognizing objects in the
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environment (Kaku, 1998:16). Proof of future robotic potential is currently being
developed at Massachusetts Institute of Technology’s (MIT) Artificial Intelligence (AI)
laboratory. Their current focus of technology development is robotic pattern recognition
and the ability to understand hearing. Hence, the reality of robotic use by 2020 is
gaining momentum for a future where robots will play an essential role in delivering
healthcare.
The third ‘Biomolecular’ revolution began when Nobel winners Watson & Crick (1962)
decoded the atomic structure of the DNA molecule (1953). Biomolecular technology
has developed greatly to determine all living molecules, such as, the genetic code for the
human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) (Macgregor & Poon, 2003:461-7). Anticipations
visualise a new paradigm for medicine as Nobel Laureate Walter Gilbert argues:
The possession of a genetic map and the DNA sequence of a human being will
transform medicine (Gilbert, 1998:144).
This will be made possible through the discovery of all genes in the Human Genome
Project where biologists borrow tenets from Moore’s Law to determine the number of
DNA sequences doubling every two years (see section 2.3.3). This knowledge will
improve biomolecular technology to allow patients’ medical history and future to be
confirmed:
By 2020 or 2030...You’ll be able to go to a drugstore and get your own DNA

sequence on a CD, which you will then analyse at home (Gilbert, 1998:143).
Based on these technology principles, the scope for medical progression is anticipated
highly where Gilbert predicts the capabilities of biotechnologies will conquer human
illnesses, such as, cancer and diabetes (Kaku, 1998:165-72).
Toffler and Kaku agree upon the phenomenon of post-1950s technological progression.
Both share a vision that major potential technology growth is forecast. Furthermore,
Kaku argues that his contemporaries’ visions should not be ignored as physicists, and
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not surgeons, are responsible for many medical inventions (Kaku, 1998:6). Such
physicists’ inventions include x-rays and computer tomography (CT) which radically
changed the delivery of 20th century healthcare. Of these, Richard Feynman is a most
noted physicist, as his theories revolutionised science and technology . Feynman’s
theories underpin the fundamentals and progression of medical ETs and are presented
next.
2.3.2 Richard Feynman: ‘There’s Plenty of Room at the Bottom’
Feynman is regarded as one of the greatest scientists of all time. His theories upon
quantum electro-dynamics led to new fields of science and are now applied theoretically
in every other science. Significantly, Feynman is responsible for conceptualising the
notion of small-scale technology. Originally presented at a dinner speech, Feynman
later published his theories in There’s Plenty of Room at the Bottom (1960) (Yih &
Moudgil, 2007:245). Termed later as ‘nanotechnology’ in Taniguchi’s On the Basic
Concept of Nanotechnology, Feynman’s theory visualised technology’s potential to
have ‘an enormous number of technical applications’ (Taniguchi, 1974; Feynman,
1960:22). For example, Feynman argued that, by creating bits of information in dots or
dashes to reduce space, the 24 million volumes of interest in the world could be printed
on 35 pages:
All of the information which all of mankind has ever recorded in books can be
carried around in a pamphlet in your hand...on just one library card! (Feynman,
1960:24).
This profound concept was enhanced by his next remark which revolutionised
technology conceptually:
Computing machines are very large; they fill rooms. Why can’t we make them very
small, make them of little wires, little elements---and by little, I mean little
(Feynman, 1960:27).
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Feynman argued this radical concept would be achieved through improved electron
microscopes. Aware of emerging computer science technology, Feynman
comprehended:
The information cannot go any faster than the speed of light---so, ultimately, when
our computers get faster and faster and more and more elaborate, we will have to
make them smaller and smaller (Feynman, 1960:28).
This finding is significant in supporting the thesis argument that future medical ETs will
be smaller in size. Furthermore, Feynman articulated all of his innovative theories in
accordance to the laws of physics:
As we go down and fiddle around with the atoms down there, we are working with
different laws, and we can expect to do different things (Feynman, 1960:24,32).
Feynman’s vision for the possibilities of ‘nanotechnology’ led to another area of great
interest to this study:
A friend of mine (Albert R. Hibbs) suggests a very interesting possibility for

relatively small machines. He says that, although it is a very wild idea, it would be
interesting in surgery if you could swallow the surgeon (Feynman, 1960:29).
By this, Feynman purported:
You put the mechanical surgeon inside the blood vessel and it goes into the heart and
‘looks’ around. (Of course the information has to be fed out.) It finds out which valve
is the faulty one and takes a little knife and slices it out. Other small machines might
be permanently incorporated in the body to assist some inadequately-functioning
organ (Feynman, 1960:29-30).
These ideas of Feynman ignited new scientific fields of research and development
(R&D). Fifty years on, medical products are emerging with huge potential forecast for
‘nanotechnologies’ and ‘nanomedicine’. An outline of these anticipations is examined
through the works of Freitas and Kurzweil in section 2.3.4-5.
2.3.3 Gordon Moore: Moore’s ‘Law of Computing Technology’
In 1958, the invention of integrated circuits revolutionised the field of electronic
technology (Kaku, 1998:8). Writing on its capabilities in 1965, Moore forecast that the
future of integrated electronics would ‘bring about a proliferation of electronics,
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pushing this science into many new areas’ (Moore, 1965:para.1). This prediction was
based upon Moore’s tested scientific theories which, as a distinguished researcher and
conceiver of computers, resulted in the much acclaimed publication The Future of
Integrated Electronics (1964). In this paper, Moore defines the future development rate
of computer technology. Now known as Moore’s Law, this theory predicts future
technology progression to be one of continued growth (see Table 2.6). Moore, as well as
Feyman, realised the enormous implications of this theory, particularly its role in
delivering Feynman’s concepts for future medicine.
Moore’s Law: is the prediction that the size of each transistor on an integrated circuit
chip will be reduced by 50 percent every twenty-four months. The result is the
exponentially growing power of integrated circuit-based computation over time.
Table 2.6 Definition of Moore’s Law.
Figure 2.10 Graphed expectations of Moore’s Law 1975-2015 (thenextwavefutures,

2009).
In general,
Moore’s Law doubles the number of components on a chip as well as the speed of
each component. Both of these aspects double the power of computing, for an
effective quadrupling of the power of computation every twenty-four months
(Kurzweil, 1999:306).
Taking this data for technology growth, Moore’s Law is shown in graph format in
Figure 2.10. Commenting years later, Moore states:
Amazingly we have stayed very closely on the exponentials that were established
during the first fifteen year period (Moore, 1995:5).
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Broadly, computer microchip technology has followed Moore’s Law to produce
quicker, cheaper and smaller technologies (Moore, 1975:1). This trend continues today
with computer processing and speeds doubling bi-annually. As a result, the products of
Moore’s Law have successfully paved the way for social and technological change
through the invention of smaller electronics, such as, laptops and mobile phones
(Kanellos, 2005). Moore’s Law is, therefore, vital to the anticipation of future
technology growth which predicts the scope for ETs to be smaller technologies.
Moore’s Law predicts that current microchip technology has more potential but Moore
highlights two possible restrictions.
The rate of technological progress is going to be controlled from financial realities.

We just will not be able to go as fast as we would like because we cannot afford it, in
spite of your best technical contributions (Moore, 1995:7).
The second restriction is that Moore’s Law cannot be sustained indefinitely (Kanellos,
2005). This is based on micro-chip technology’s maximum physical capacity which
limits the progression of technology. Nevertheless, Moore believes that ‘the industry
has always blown past barriers in the past’ indicating a new revolutionary form of
technology is possible (see Figure 2.11). However, the thesis acknowledges great
potential still exists for microchip technology. As per Moore’s Law: huge changes are
forecast for future ETs based on microchip’s technology growth and the appearance of a
major new form of technology by 2025.
Figure 2.11 Left: The exponential rate of computer technological development as per
Moore’s Law (Fenley, 2004). Right: Author’s analysis of Figure 2.11 Left.
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2.3.4 Ray Kurzweil: ‘Law of Accelerating Returns’
Kurzweil’s foresight into future technologies and its implications upon healthcare is
long standing. Since the 1970s, Kurzweil has invented significant medical technologies,
such as, pioneering speech recognition technology (Pfeiffer, 1998). With respect to ETs,
Kurzweil has developed his own scientific model for technology advancement
(Kurzweil, 2006:73-84). Scientific progress is defined in his Law of Accelerating
Returns:
As order exponentially increases, time exponentially speeds up (that is, the time
interval between salient events grows shorter as time passes) (Kurzweil, 1999:30).
From this principle, Kurzweil argues that this century will see dramatic changes in
technology on his graphed calculations for computing technology growth (see Figure
2.12). By this, Kurzweil argues that 21st century scientific progress will be ‘1,000 times
greater’ than 20th century technology achievements (Kurzweil, 2006:40). In medicine,
progression will be driven by revolutions in genetics and robotics (Kurzweil, 2006:40).
Sharing Kaku’s theories, that developments will be delivered through nanotechnology7,
Kurzweil argues the potential of medical ETs is so great that ‘illness as we know it will
be eradicated’ in the not-too-distant future (Kurzweil, 2006:39).
Figure 2.12 Exponential Growth of Computing, 1900-2100 (Kurzweil, 1999:104).
Kurzweil argues that the 2020s will be a strategic future point for technology as new
forms of circuitry will revolutionise technology to create computers with human brain
7
See section 7.1 for detailed description of nanotechnology.
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capacity (Kurzweil, 1999:102-3; 2006:43). Consequently, digital technologies will
become enhanced allowing for the creation of intelligent environments where virtual
reality will overlap the real world as technology is embedded in walls, furniture and
clothes (Kurzweil, 1999:202-3). Both conceptual examples offer unlimited
opportunities for innovative thought for designing future healthcare environments.
These ideas present new possibilities to medical planners when visualising future
hospital space. In summarising Kurzweil’s concepts, progressive change will surpass
20th century development by ‘1,000 times’ with great strides in medicine emerging as a
result of future medical ETs.
2.3.5 Robert A. Freitas, Jr.: ‘Nanomedicine’
As a physicist specialising in molecular nanotechnology, Freitas has written extensively
on molecular manufacturing and its impact upon medical science. His work is based on
a new field of science called nanomedicine (Freitas Jr., 2005:325). Freitas’ theories are
derived from Feynman’s principles of manipulating atomic matter:
The early genesis of the concept of nanomedicine sprang from the visionary idea that
tiny nanorobots and related machines could be designed, manufactured, and
introduced into the human body to perform cellular repairs at the molecular level.
Nanomedicine today has branched out in hundreds of different directions, each of
them embodying the key insight that the ability to structure materials and devices at
the molecular scale can bring enormous immediate benefits in the research and
practice of medicine (Freitas Jr., 2005:2).
As a result, Freitas predicts:
In the first half of the 21st century, nanomedicine should eliminate virtually all
common diseases of the 20th century (Freitas Jr., 2005:21).
One area to benefit from this technology development will be biotechnology.
Over the next 5-10 years, biotechnology will make even more remarkable advances
in molecular medicine and biobotics-microbiological robots or engineered
organisms. In the longer term, perhaps 10-20 years from today,...nanorobots may join
the medical armamentarium, finally giving physicians the most potent tools
imaginable to conquer human disease, ill-health, and aging (Freitas Jr., 2005:2).
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Freitas’s insight into future medicine differs immensely from existing medical practice.
Notably, these medical predictions are not distant visions, as numerous biotechnology
products exist currently. For example, chemotherapy, pacemakers, biochips, insulin
pumps, nebulizers, hearing aids and glucose monitoring systems exist as biotechnology
products. However, Freitas expects greater volumes of medical products to emerge as a
result of ETs (see Appendix B.11).
In addition to consumable medical products, Freitas advocates the development of
numerous novel methods, such as, ultrafast DNA sequencing, Fullerene-based
pharmaceuticals and biological robots. These all present a future for nanomedicine
which Freitas argues is:
Already close enough to fruition that it is fair to say that their successful
developments is almost inevitable, and their subsequent incorporation into valuable
medical diagnostics or clinical therapeutics is highly likely and may occur very soon
(Freitas Jr., 2005:327).
On this basis, Freitas’ anticipations for nanomedicine highlight a new model of care is
emerging. From a medical planner’s perspective, nanomedicine is radically different
from existing medical practice. Based on the future development of smaller
technologies, nanomedicine will require new methods to deliver healthcare. This may
involve spatial changes which, at present are unknown to hospital designers, and needs
to be examined in this study.
2.3.6 Summary
Table 2.7 summarises this section’s findings which inform this study’s theoretical
framework for technology and medical ETs. The identified origins of Toffler’s ‘third
wave of change’ coincide with the publication of works by Moore and Feynman. All
events pinpoint the arrival of a new age in technology based on theories of quantum
physical science and computer growth. These works conceptualised the future of
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technology which have benefited medical progression and the development of medical
technologies. Years of scientific research are emerging with new procedures discovered,
such as, the growing and stock piling of biological organs (Kaku, 1998:217-9). This
consists of engineered parts being implanted surgically into humans which The Lancet
records surgeon Anthony Atala as having completed human clinical trials already
(Chung, 2006:1215). This clinical trial typifies the potential for medical ETs of which
its spatial impact needs to be explored.
Source Theory Principles

Moore Moore’s Law Anticipated exponential growth of technology
There’s Plenty of Conceptualised the theory of nanotechnology
Feynman
Room at the Bottom and future medical scenarios
Exponential Growth Medical development through genetics and
Kurzweil
of Computing robotics
Nanomedicine development through molecular
Freitas Nanomedicine
manufacturing
Table 2.7 Summary of section 2.3 Theoretical Framework: Technology and ETs.
2.4 Contextual Framework: Technology and Healthcare
Computer technology has evolved exponentially since the mid-20th century. Included in
this progression has been a revolution in the medical field (Moore, 1959; Hillman,
1999:325-8). Similarly, hospital environments since the 1950s have evolved
continuously with major functional and spatial problems resulting (Miller & Swensson,
2002:50). Consequently, it became postulated that a fundamental relationship exists
between hospital space and technology (Latimer et. al., 2008:80). However, quantitative
evidence confirming technology’s spatial impact upon hospitals is limited (Hignett et.
al., 2007:3). In order to form a contextual framework from which to explore the
relationship between future medical technology and hospital space, two aspects of
medical technology in healthcare are examined.
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2.4.1 Acute Hospitals and Medical Technology
As only one component of any healthcare system, hospitals have been historically the
central location for delivering medical care (McKee & Healy, 2002:284). With the
recent investment to rebuild NHS estates, hospitals remain physically and theoretically
the dominant environment for British social healthcare provision. This status reflects the
NHS’s original 20th century model of care which, considering current technology
capacities and mobilities, is becoming increasingly outdated but signs of change are
appearing. For example, remote servicing, home treatments and online help desks
represent an evolving healthcare service located outside traditional hospital settings,
such as, the NHS Direct telephone helpline (Liddell et. al., 2008:1-2). With
telemedicine, telecare and telehealth yet to reach their full potential, similar information
technology (IT) solutions will be central to future change and will challenge the role,
function and form of NHS acute hospitals. Therefore, as more services are distributed
throughout the community, will acute hospitals be required in the future? The thesis
believes two reasons support the necessity for future acute NHS hospitals.
First, the origin of acute hospitals was driven financially to concentrate expensive, high-
tech medical equipment. This status persists today based on a financial dependency to
deliver specialised emergency care in acute hospitals. Expectations are set for this to
continue based on an emerging trend since 1980 where clinical information is gained
through diagnostic and less invasive techniques through high-tech equipment. While
this dependency on sophisticated technology is central to delivering acute services, as
more consumers and clinicians demand high quality services, accommodating high-tech
equipment in acute hospitals will remain a functional necessity. The second reason
regards the recent evolution from new technologies in surgical care. Supporting this
trend, national advisor on surgery Lord Alan Darzi, states that the major recent changes
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in keyhole surgery and laser technology, have contributed to the emergence of complex
surgical cases (Darzi, 2007:1-4):
In recent years we have seen the biggest changes to surgical practice since its
inception as a medical and scientific discipline in the nineteenth century (Darzi,
2007:6).
This growth towards less invasive, complex surgical methodologies is delivered
operationally with expensive sophisticated medical technology. The most notable recent
development is the introduction of robotic equipment which is expected to ‘become
increasingly widespread in surgery because they can deliver a precision that the human
hand cannot match’ (Blackman, 2003:15). Both imaging and surgical services are vital
components to delivering acute hospitals’ main function; emergency care. With a
requirement to access specialised staff, tests and scans for quick assessment, as well as
intensive care unit (ICU) facilities for post-theatre recovery (24/7), the nature of
emergency care forces acute services and medical technologies to remain co-located
(Darzi, 2007:5). Therefore, the future role of acute hospitals will remain significant
based on medical trends listed in Table 2.8. This finding confirms the necessity for
future acute hospitals.
Period of time Trends for future medical practice

Short term Minimal-invasive technology (McKee&Healy, 2002:46-7))
Mid term Endoluminal surgery in the next ten years (Darzi, 2007:7)
Long term Reduction of interventional surgery. Increased medical therapies
and preventative medicine (Kaku, 1998:144-5).
Table 2.8 Current technology trends for future medical practice
Technology can be broadly defined ‘as wired and wireless technology’ or ‘any device,
product, service or application with an IT element’, as described by The Kings Fund
(Liddell et. al., 2008:3). This thesis adopts the USA Office of Technology Assessment’s
(1976) definition for medical technologies:
All the drugs, devices and medical and surgical procedures and the organizational
and support systems used to provide them (Rosen, 2002:240).
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To understand the current scope of medical technologies in NHS hospitals, Table 2.9
lists extracted data from NHS reports (2007). Alternatively, critic David Blackman
summarises the current status of NHS technology in Building Design:
Key drivers for change within the healthcare service were social and
technological...technology within healthcare is undergoing a phase of accelerated
change (Blackman, 2003:15).
Action Documentation Technology Data

2000 The NHS Plan 250 scanners and latest IT system to be delivered by
2000 (Wanless et. 2010.
al., 2007:105)
2006 Wanless Report ‘By April 2006...about 71 per cent of MRI scanners, 77
2006 (Wanless et. per cent of CT scanners and 75 per cent of linear
al., 2007:129) accelerators were purchased since January 2000’
2007 DOH Report, ‘In 2006 NHS Trusts and PCTs invested £733 million in
2007 capitalised equipment’ . Since 2000 - 156 New magnetic
(DOH, 2007:3,4) resonance imaging (MRIs) (82%), 157 new Linear
Accelerators (82%), 231 computer tomography (CT)
scanners (76%). 90 new cardiac catheterisation
Laboratories (40% new) On completion, the programme
will have 27 new cardiac theatres and 620 extra beds.
Table 2.9 Existing NHS medical technologies currently in use and expenditure (2007).
This current state is not without problems. For example, in comparison to the adoption
of new technologies by the banking and travel sectors, the Healthcare Industries Task
Force 2004 described the NHS ‘as a late and slow adopter of medical technology’
(Wanless et. al., 2007:59; Liddell et. al., 2008:2). This concern was addressed similarly
by the then government adviser, Sir Derek Wanless:
In 2005, the Health Committee’s report The use of medical technologies within the
NHS (2005) noted the department’s concern about their continued slow take-up
(Wanless et. al., 2007:59).
This slowness has left NHS technology use way behind other countries. This status is a
direct outcome of UK expenditure on medical technology being 0.36% of gross
domestic product (GDP) rather than the European average of 0.55% (Morgan-Hughes
et. al., 2005:731-2; Mayor, 2005:861). Consequently, ‘in many acute trusts the budgets
for new medical equipment have been reduced, regardless of the merits of individual
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business cases’ (Liddell et. al., 2008:24). This concern is supported by Wanless’
argument:
Subsequently, no target or implementation process was introduced to promote

technical innovation across the NHS as a whole...no large scale vision of the
potential of new technology has emerged (Wanless et. al., 2007:59).
This lack of strategic planning for medical technologies within the NHS is
unsatisfactory.
2.4.2 Current ETs and Healthcare
Insight into future medical technologies is crucial for the medical planning of hospitals.
However, designers have only a two-to-three year product knowledge for future medical
equipment. With expectations believed to be so radical that ‘human existence will
undergo a quantum leap in evolution’, it is critical for medical planners to understand
the implications of medical ETs with regards to future medical practice and
technologies themselves (Kurzweil, 2006:39). Generated from Moore’s Law,
technology’s exponential growth rate is set to continue through the emergence of novel
medical ETs (Kurzweil, 1999:102-5). For example, concepts such as ‘swallowing the
surgeon’, ‘Lab-on-a-chip’ and medical nanorobots all visualise a very different future
for healthcare practice (see Chapter 7). How these will affect hospital space is central to
the thesis argument and is explored in detail in Part III’s discussion of medical ETs
impact on future hospital space.
2.4.3 Summary
Healthcare heavily relies upon technology as a tool to save lives. In 2012, not only is
technology embedded in the fabric of hospital buildings, it has become key to all
processes, management and delivery within a hospital’s organisation (Liddell et. al.,
2008:1-3). Overwhelming evidence envisions a future of radical change whereby
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medical technologies are anticipated to be recipients of this technological revolution.
Based on the scientific evidence of Kurzweil, Kaku and Freitas, it was shown that
predictions for medical ETs are formed of ubiquitous, robotic and biomolecular
technologies. While discrepancies arise throughout literature concerning technological
times of arrival, all theoretical works unanimously conclude that radical change in
healthcare is fast approaching. By 2025, nanomedicine is predicted to be a new and
developing model of care. However, information regarding its delivery and design
requirements appears to be non-existent. For example, research into medical
technologies and their spatial design implications was compiled from the National
Institute of Health Research’s (NIHR) list of conducted research (NIHR, 2011). Sixty-
one projects are recorded with only twelve projects focusing on design (19.6%). One
project explored technology (1.6%) but this paper, published in 2004, does not consider
ETs. Additionally, the NHS’s position on medial ETs is considered behind the rest of
the world which is not surprising considering ‘nanotechnology does not rate as highly as
microtechnology in the Department of Trade and Industry frontiers’ (Gibson, 2004: Col,
443WH). However, this situation is alterable, and considering ETs unpredictability,
scope for major developments are still predicted for 2020 (see Table 2.10).
Available now 1–5 years away 5–15 years away

Sunscreens, semi- “Lab–on–a–chip” Targeted drug delivery & virus detection.
conductor lasers for technologies, smart Better medical implants and artificially
telecommunications. nano–coatings for created organs. Molecular methods for
Harder, stronger, packaging, minute disease diagnosis. Non–invasive molecular
lighter materials. tracking devices. imaging in medicine.
Table 2.10 Taylor Report:Table 1: Present and future commercial applications of
nanotechnology. Source: Ev 35 (edited). (House of Commons Science and Technology
Committee (HCSTC), 2004:8).
2.5 Chapter conclusion
This chapter provides a theoretical and contextual framework for this thesis’s empirical
research on technology’s relationship with hospital space. A summary of findings and a
final conclusion complete Chapter 2.

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Typologies were chosen on the merit of their architectural theories rather than the
historical types that dominated 20th century hospital design. Medical planning principles
of separation, indeterminacy and standardisation were established as critical elements
for creating successful and flexible NHS hospitals. Each hospital typology by Aalto,
Weeks and Le Corbusier gives insight into an array of medical planning principles that
delivered adaptable solutions during a time of revolutionary hospital spatial change.
In 2012, society is embarking on a ‘third wave of change’ which anticipates ETs to play
a pivotal role in revolutionising medicine. Based on the scientific data from works by
Moore and Kurzweil, it was shown that future technological progression is anticipated
to surpass all previous achievements. The impact of these extrapolations is the basis of
Feynman, Kaku and Freitas’s medical scenarios in which ubiquitous digital technology,
robotics and biomolecular technology are expected to revolutionise healthcare practices.
However, limited technical information exists regarding the delivery of this new
medical model even though expectations are for the ‘accelerating impact of new
technologies’ to heavily affect healthcare delivery (Future Healthcare Network (FHN),
2004:5). Regarding its architectural implications, if nanotechnology is to transform how
the health industry works, the thesis seeks to understand the spatial implications that
result from medical technology changes.
The concerns surrounding current hospital design methods stifle innovation and cause
concern for PFI NHS hospitals. It is argued that the PFI process:
Needs an overhaul to give trusts sufficient flexibility to build future-proof hospitals

that can adapt to healthcare changes in the next decade and beyond (FHN, 2004:6).
Nevertheless, excluding PFI restrictiveness, the current outdated hospital design model
is responsible equally for running a high-risk possibility of premature invalidity. This
concern is based upon the outcome of late-20th century hospital buildings which
struggled to adapt to evolving sophisticated technologies (see Chapters 4-5). Combined,
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these factors curtail the development of 21st century NHS hospital design which delivers
beneficial outcomes on many levels when designed flexibly and appropriately:
The business case for good design becomes clear when...staffing costs represent
about 80 percent of the running costs of a typical hospital....a small change in
staffing/running costs can make a very large difference to total running costs of a
healthcare building over its lifetime (FHN, 2004:6).
Therefore, considering the NHS’s £25 billion estate, an ability to reduce costs through
strategic design is essential as an architectural principle for designing future NHS
hospitals (DOH, 2007:2). While the realities of medical ETs are not yet fully
understood, it remains vital that all medical planning possibilities for NHS hospitals are
explored to ‘carry the estate into the next millennium’ (Maxwell, 1996:11). Equally if
nanotechnology has the ability to create smaller electronics, why are we over-sizing
current hospital spaces and building excess area into NHS hospitals at taxpayers’
expense? The necessity to answer this question is a core purpose of this particular study.
The next chapter’s discussion upon the thesis’ methodological approaches explains how
this is achieved.
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Chapter 3: Methodological approaches
“A journey of a thousand miles must begin with a single step”
Lao Tzu
Chapter 3
3.0 Introduction
This chapter presents the research design and methodology employed in the thesis. This
is a single future prospective methodology and mixed methods approach. As outlined in
Chapter 1, the thesis seeks to determine the relationship between hospital space and
technology to critically assess the implications of medical ETs on future urban acute
hospitals. Informed by the theoretical and contextual frameworks presented in Chapter
2, this chapter describes the methodology and methods incorporated to achieve the four
objectives set out in Chapter 1. The chapter begins with a background description as to
how the thesis focus was developed which leads to a set of identified hospital design
influences. From this, a strategy for the thesis was formed in a structured and logical
manner based on the four thesis objectives. Subsequently, details of the study’s
methodology and methods are described which is followed by a discussion of the
approach applied for data collection and analysis. In an attempt to envisage the
unpredictable, a further scenario approach is adopted to assist medical planners with
future-proofing medical planning possibilities for future urban acute hospitals. This is
followed by an outline of thesis limitations. The chapter concludes with an analysis and
a set of variables identified for the core research.
3.1 Development and justification of thesis focus
The extent of medical planning is varied and broad, ranging from the masterplanning of
vast green-field healthcare campuses to the intricate detailing of a single patient-
bedroom design. Due to its extensive nature, the author wished to undertake a study of
only one aspect of medical planning. Hence, the thesis concentrates explicitly on the
seemingly less studied D&T hospital component (see section 3.5). The decision for this
focused study is driven by two contributing basic factors. The first reason is to advance
the gap in knowledge to which this particular area of medical planning appears limited.
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Chapter 3
For example, patient-care design is researched extensively, such as, the spatial and
medical implications associated with decentralised nursing stations. There is a need for
the impact of medical technology on hospital space to be explored, as no specific
analytical data seems to exist. The second factor is more pragmatic and is based upon
the author’s experience as a medical planner. As an eyewitness, one of many difficulties
in designing acute hospitals is the on-going changing spatial demands required to
accommodate medical technologies. This topic is an area of medical panning which the
author wishes to explore.
3.1.1 Identifying research variables
The thesis focus is refined explicitly to analyse future hospital space. Four independent
and one dependent variable were identified for research from five established
parameters:
(i) Hospital type: Numerous hospital types exist based upon age, gender or acuteness.
In response, hospital typologies differ immensely between varied specialities. Based on
this criterion, only one typology type is considered in the thesis. Three reasons account
for the decision to explore NHS acute hospitals:
1. Acute hospitals reflect a large sector of the NHS healthcare system
2. The latest NHS hospital rebuilding programme has produced a multitude of NHS
acute hospitals worthy of exploration as ‘state-of-the-art’ hospitals
3. Recent healthcare policies have centralised expensive medical equipment in NHS
acute hospitals (Tomlinson Report, 1992). Simultaneously, most NHS acute
hospitals have experienced on-going spatial problems and, therefore, an investigation
of these parallel events is considered necessary.
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(ii) Sample location: The medical planning of acute hospitals differs considerably
between rural and urban locations based on site topography and available ground
surface area. Urban acute hospitals face on-going design problems as a result of
expansion needs and maximum site constraints unlike rural sites where future hospital
expansion issues are not as complex or challenging (Diamond, 2006:26). Taking
geographical differences into account, only one variable can be covered within the
thesis scope. An urban location was chosen to contribute the gap in understanding the
spatial design problems relating to the study’s hospital type.
(iii) Sample city: As urban populations vary widely, the thesis wished to refine the
focus of the sample. One city type was chosen with a population of approximately 14
million people and an expected growth of 20% by 2050. This classified ten world cities
into a sample: Cairo, Manila, London, Buenos Aires, Moscow (van Susteren & van
Arjen, 2005:14). A study upon each of these city’s hospitals would exceed this study’s
boundary. Therefore, London became the representative sample city, as it possesses
numerous relevant hospital case studies worthy of investigation.
(iv) Medical planning flow type: The complexity of movement around acute hospitals
creates numerous types of flows. These include outpatient visitor or non-clinical staff
flows. The thesis chose to focus upon the main flow associated with acute-care focused
departments (see section 3.5). This is the UAT patient flow, which centres upon the
stabilisation, diagnosis and treatment of UAT admissions.
(v) Technological specification: The logical choice for the technological variable is
medical ETs based on the thesis focus to explore future hospital space. As previously
defined, medical technologies are:
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All the drugs, devices and medical and surgical procedures and the organizational
and support systems used to provide them (Rosen, 2002:240).
Seven medical ETs emerged from literature but four were omitted for reasons described
in Appendix C.1. The remaining three - biotechnology, robotics and cybernetics - are
chosen based on anticipations that these medical ETs would be medically operational in
2025. Figure 3.1 depicts the hierarchy identified for thesis medical technologies.
Figure 3.1 Thesis hierarchy diagram: Medical ET relationships.
To summarise this section’s decisions, Table 3.1 re-states the chosen variables.
Research Parameter Thesis focus Variable Type

Hospital type Acute hospital
Sample location Urban context
Independent variable
Sample city London city
Medical planning flow type UAT patient flow
Technological specification ETs Dependent variable
Table 3.1 Table of research parameters, thesis focus and variable types.
3.1.2 Concept mapping: Defining hospital design influences
The process of designing hospitals is not solely based on an architectural brief (see
Appendix C.2-3). Numerous factors infiltrate through to the creation of hospital spaces,
adding further complexities to the medical planning of hospitals
(Rosenfield&Rosenfield, 1969:42-3). Such as, current UK healthcare policy dictates a
model of care that reduces hospital bed numbers while, what McKee and Healy refer to
as, Soviet-model healthcare systems maintain a high bed number policy for purposes of
civic pride (McKee&Healy, 2002:30). Each healthcare policy drives a different
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typological response, supporting the argument that other factors influence the design of
acute hospitals. This principle directs the next identification process which centres upon
determining all dominant hospital design factors.
Figure 3.2 Left: Author’s initial concept map sketch. Right: Author’s updated concept
map sketch: Linked factors.
Hospital design influences were identified through the incorporation of Joseph Novak’s
concept mapping technique:
Concept mapping is a technique for externalizing concepts and propositions (Novak

& Godwin, 1984:17).
Reflecting hospital design processes, this procedure informs the area of medical
planning theoretically. Through step-by-step processes that identify, test and organise
all relationships visually, all key hospital design influences were nominated and mapped
initially (see Figure 3.2). As Novak argues, initial concept maps are almost certain to be
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flawed and will need to be redrawn to identify important hierarchical relationships
between concepts (Novak, 1984:35-6). The incentive to redo concept maps is to
increase the meaningfulness of compositions. Hence, this study’s concept mapping
procedure was repeated numerous times to detect similarities and connectivities (see
Appendix C.4-6). The outcome established many relationships which were categorised
into external or internal design influences. Charted findings clarify this arrangement to
form four group types (see Appendix C.7-9). Group C’s set of hospital design drivers
was deemed the most significant regarding technology’s impact on hospital interiors
space (see Table 3.2). Each of Group C’s medical influences is examined in Chapters 4
and 5’s empirical exploration.
From established variables and hospital design influences, research into future hospital
space and medical technology can be explored. A single quantitative methodology and a
mixed-method approach are employed to respond to research objectives described next.
3.2 Research aims and objectives
Four objectives were developed to contribute to proving medical ET’s influence upon
future hospital space. This section describes each objective with considerations from
two perspectives: (i) the objective’s significance within the larger context; (ii) its role in
proving the main thesis argument.
3.2.1 Confirming the assumed relationship between hospital space and technology
The necessity for flexibility is underpinned by the principle that hospital design
influences are evolving indeterminately. Technology is one of these design factors,
which is presumed critical in driving hospital space. Empirical studies to confirm this
assumption however appear non-existent. Therefore, this study’s exploration will
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confirm technology’s relationship with hospital space, thus, supporting the main thesis’
argument that medical ETs and future hospital space will be linked. Using section
3.1.2’s identified hospital design influences, a historical review of medical planning
provides; an understanding of hospital design, its revolutions and dominant influences
that have impacted previously on hospital space. This is followed by an exploration of
medical technology development and its growth within British hospitals. Thereafter, a
critique of all findings determines the existence of a relationship between hospital space
and medical technology.
3.2.2 Investigating technology’s influence as a driver of hospital medical planning
The aim of the second objective is to quantify and identify technology’s role as driving
hospital medical planning. At present, studies that explore this relationship seem non-
existent within a UK context particularly for PFI NHS hospitals (McKee & Healy,
2002:241). While spatial requirements for medical technologies are demonstrated easily
through HBN SOAs, technology’s role in configuring hospital space remains
unexamined quantitatively. Therefore, empirical evidence is necessary for determining
technology’s status as a design influence for the benefit of producing sustainable future
NHS hospital space. To achieve this objective requires the examination of technological
events and revolutions leading up to present day hospital design. Through Part II’s
historical literature and case study explorations, the aim is to investigate technology as a
design driver by critiquing the spatial changes within hospital typologies that resulted
from new and upgraded medical equipment. Findings will show technology’s role in
evolving British hospital space, which thereafter will be used as evidence to examine
medical ET’s influence on future NHS hospital space.
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3.2.3 Investigating the implications of medical ETs for future UAT treatments and
associated hospital spaces
No empirical work exists to analyse future spatial implications of medical ETs. Hence,
an exploration of predicted medical technologies needs investigating to establish
medical ET’s impact on future UAT hospital space. From Chapter 2’s technology
frameworks emerge three significant medical ETs. These include biotechnology,
robotics and, a combination of both, cyborgization. Each medical technology is a
dependent variable for healthcare progression covered within the study. To achieve this
third objective, identified medical ETs are discussed from an UAT medical planning
perspective. By establishing the changes between current and future healthcare
practices, spatial implications associated with this patient flow can be identified. A
scenario approach is applied to visualise how each medical ET impacts on hospital
space. This directs the study towards visualising future medical planning solutions from
which to assess the final thesis objective.
3.2.4 Assess the necessity for flexible hospital design solutions
The fourth objective is aimed at confirming the necessity of flexible hospital design
solutions, particularly with reference to the durability of ‘state-of-the-art’ PFI NHS
hospitals. As little in the way of empirical work has studied technology’s role in
creating flexible hospitals, more research is needed to support the reasoning for
incorporating flexible medical planning solutions. Hence, this study provides a source
of empirical knowledge from which future studies can be founded. This objective is
achieved by drawing on data that emerged throughout the study, specifically from
findings revealed in achieving objectives two and three. New knowledge will allow for
PFI NHS hospitals to be assessed, which will inform the need for flexible design
solutions in acute hospitals. In turn, the thesis concludes with guidance offered in the
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form of recommendations for future medical planning strategies and potential further
research.
3.3 Research framework
The research framework of this study consists of two areas: methodology and method.
Methodology is the philosophical stance that informs the research while method is the
techniques employed to collect and analyse data. The thesis consists of the following
methodology and method approaches.
(i) Thesis methodology
The context of the current study aims to explore the impact of medical technology on
hospital space. This involves researching only one aspect of hospital medical planning.
Hence, a single methodology research design was deemed as appropriate to address the
research question identified in section 1.2.
To create a vision for future hospital space involves an understanding of current hospital
design drivers, anticipated trends and forces that are driving hospital space to change.
Two underlying forces of complexity and on-going change are examined in this study
through medical ETs explicitly. To understand how medical ETs will affect future
hospital space calls for a methodology that demands ‘outside-the-box’ thinking to assist
medical planners with designing flexible and sustainable NHS hospitals.
Traditionally, to predict the future is impossible and therefore unadvisable. Instead, a
more reliable solution is to estimate major future trends and effects (Orrell, 2007:269).
Adopting this approach to this study requires a particular future-oriented methodology.
The thesis draws from the generic field of ‘futures studies’ and specifically, Elzbieta
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Krawczyk and John Ratcliffe’s ‘prospective process’ as research in the field of medical
planning is limited (Krawczyk & Ratcliffe, 2005:3-4). This methodology originates
from the conceptual frameworks of business strategy applications. Its principles reflect
medical planning practice insofar that long-term vision and strategies are required for
sustaining functionality and flexibility. The importance of strategic planning is to create
a vision for a desirable future state (Gower, 2011:20).
Fundamentally, strategy is a series of measures adopted to achieve a stated aim

(Gower, 2011:20,13).
The concept of strategic planning emerged as a methodology in the mid-1960s (Ansoff,
1965) to allow for turbulence within company environments and to adapt company
goals accordingly (Ratcliffe & Sirr, 2003:4). One notable model is Prof. Henry
Mintzberg’s Five P’s for Strategy (see Table 3.3). Theoretically, the main principle
consists of an ability to predict and to react to unplanned events.
Relevancy
Mintzberg’s 5P’s Strategy Description
to thesis
Plan looking ahead, advanced planning for future actions
looking at past behaviour, realising consistency in relevant

Pattern
actions
Perspective management related about vision of company
Position market related in finding niche/

irrelevant
Ploy market related to competing opponents
Table 3.3 Tabled of Mintzberg’s: Five P’s for Strategy (Mintzberg, 1987:11-24).
By the 1990s, a new ‘strategic prospective’ model was developed by Michel Godet at
the French School. His la prospective distinguishes between the theoretical approaches
to prospective and planning (Goget, 1991):
The prospective wants to open the scope to look further into the future...to improve
the chances of detecting all the conceivable variables and project them as far as
possible (Ratcliffe & Sirr, 2003:5).
In contrast, planning focuses on placing concrete objectives within the near future to
determine an accomplished future perspective. As Godet suggests, planning is too
restrictive for creating long-term strategies. On this basis, a planning methodology for
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the thesis was identified as inappropriate for exploring future hospital space. Instead,
the thesis draws from a more recent la prospective model, which was adapted by
Krawczyk and Ratcliffe. In their Imagine ahead – plan backwards: Prospective
methodology in urban and regional planning, a ‘Prospective’ model for urban planning
use was developed (Krawczyk & Ratcliffe, 2005). This model consists of five main
research phases, of which, one is a scenario method for visualising future possibilities
(see Appendix C.10).
Figure 3.3 Thesis methodology: Self-created single future ‘prospective’ methodology.
The principles of Krawczyk and Ratcliffe’s ‘Prospective’ model were considered an
appropriate approach for this particular study. This decision is based on this study’s
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empirical research, which does not measure patient experience, safety or medical errors.
Instead, the nature of measuring and visualising hospital space (units/square meters
(sqm)) dictates the necessity of a particular future-orientated methodology. Hence, the
thesis forms its own methodology as a derivative of Krawczyk and Radcliffe’s
‘Prospective’ model. The study’s unique self-created methodology is formulated in
Figure 3.3 and seeks to contribute to advancing the development of medical planning
knowledge. The methodology is aimed at achieving visions for future urban acute
hospital space by offering a range of possible future medical planning scenarios.
(ii) Thesis methods
The objectives set out in Chapter 1 are achieved by employing a mixed-method
approach at different stages of the study. A single quantitative approach for data
collection is used first and then followed by two methods for data analysis.
The first method employed determines an understanding of past and present events,
specifically, key spatial issues and design influences of hospital medical planning. The
method used is a historical review of literature, photographs and drawings, which is
followed by a quantitative approach to support findings arising from the first method.
The second process is delivered through a single case study method, which focuses on
the measurement of high-tech space in urban acute hospitals (see Table 3.4). This is
implemented through the area measurement of post-1840s London hospital plans. Data
arising from the case studies allows for technology’s link with hospital space to be
confirmed while quantifying technology’s impact as a driver of hospital medical
planning. The third method is the creation of scenarios, which are based upon identified
driving medical planning forces, data analysis from the case studies as well as
projections from ET literature. By creating scenarios a visualisation for future urban
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acute hospitals is formed. Findings inform the assessment of PFI NHS hospitals’
durability.
3.4 Research Design
The research objectives pursed in this thesis are concerned explicitly with technology’s
impact on the configuration of NHS hospital space. Hence, the selected research design
is structured to collect and analyse data that reflects this concern. Three research phases
are employed to best meet the four thesis objectives:
Part I: Thesis frameworks and structure
Part II: Exploration of technology’s relationship with hospital space
Part III: Exploration of medical ET implications and visions for future hospital
space.
This study provides a valuable source of empirical knowledge that will enable medical
planners to understand the impact of medical ETs on future hospital space.
Additionally, the study’s self-created ‘prospective’ methodology and mixed-methods
approach will contribute to future medical planning research, as knowledge is limited in
this particular medical planning area.
3.5 Quantitative framework: Case study sample criteria
In section 3.1.1, the sample for case study research was identified as: NHS acute
hospitals in London’s Zone 1 area. Further to this, hospital building components and
departmental criteria for this study needed to be determined. The first criterion is to
categorise hospital departments into one of two hospital building components: high-tech
or low-tech areas. Characteristics for high-tech and low-tech space are listed in Table
3.4. The second criterion that needed defining was the sample’s departmental list.
Departments were assigned to their associated hospital building component as per
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current medical planning practice (see Appendix C.11-2). Nineteen departments were
listed with twelve categorised as high-tech. Not all are associated with the UAT patient
journey, such as, Mortuary. Consequently, only five high-tech departments matched the
thesis criteria (see Table 3.5). These areas are the focus of this study’s empirical
research.
Building
% of Technology Functionality Description of space
component
Diagnostics, Hard space (space not
HIGH- High concentration
Treatment & designated for future
TECH with high-spec criteria
support expansion)
Care, Soft space (space
LOW- Low concentration
consultation & designated for future
TECH with low-spec criteria
support flexibility and expansion)
Table 3.4 Characteristics of hospital building components: High and low tech space.
HIGH-TECH BUILDING COMPONENT:

DEPARTMENTAL AREAS
Department Functionality
A&E Resuscitation, trauma, observation and assessment
Diagnostics through the use of high-spec technology: Multi-
Imaging slice CT scanner, positive emission tomography (PET)/CT
scanner, Fluoroscopy, X-rays, MRI.
Theatres Specialist and interventional theatres, anaesthetic rooms, etc.

High-tech laboratory areas with higher mechanical and electrical
Pharmacy
(M&E) requirements
Pathology High-tech laboratory areas with higher M&E requirements
Table 3.5 High-tech building component: List of departments.
The aim of the case study is to quantify the nature of British hospital space. Both
historical and current London hospitals need evaluating to understand past and present
inter-relationships between medical technologies and hospital space. The case studies
chosen allow for variety in hospital characteristics and spatial change to be measured to
quantify technology’s role in forming current hospital medical planning. Time
restrictions and limited resources directed the case study research to choose four
hospitals where each represents a main geographical extent of central London.
Additionally, four fixed variables were introduced to refine the case study’s focus:
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period of existence; nature of organisation; hospital type; location. This resulted in a
specific case study sample; an NHS teaching facility based in central London with an
A&E and associated UAT departments. A timeframe of 1840-2012 emerged as
significant from Chapter 4 and 5’s findings. This specific fixed period records the
introduction and development of medical technology in hospitals. Over periods of
approximately fifty years, each set of plans is measured quantitatively for 1840-2012.
Two pertinent questions are asked of each hospital case study:
(i) Is technology growth identified quantitatively?
(ii) What spatial trends and relationships are reflected between high and low-tech
areas?
Quantitative data lends itself to determining technology’s position as a dominant driver,
thus, proving medical technology’s link with acute hospital space.
3.6 Data collection
Data were collected from four main sources, which involved various timescales and
procedures (see Appendix C.13-20). For example, the Royal London Hospital (RLH)
and St. Thomas’ hospital required archival research to locate pre-1900 plans. Twelve
sets of hospital plans were located ranging from 1832-2012. Case study data collection
is summarised next.
The first source was the RLH of which six set of plans were located (see Appendix F.1-
11). Two processes were required for collection at the RLH. All pre-1950 literature,
plans and photographic evidence required research at the Trust’s archive department.
Post-1950 plans, held within Skanska’s on-site construction offices1, were sourced at
separate meetings. A full set of metric plans was available in electronic format
1
Skanska is a big multi-national British building contractor. Offices visited were both located at the RLH,
Whitechapel Road, London.
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(AutoCad) for the new 2012 hospital. However, only some electronic plans (AutoCAD)
were available prior to 2000, as the majority of previous plans exist as scanned hand-
drawings. The second source was St. Thomas’ where four sets of hospital plans were
located (see Appendix F.20-2). These were researched over a number of daily visits at
the Trust’s office at Guy’s Hospital. This process included research into literature,
photographic and spreadsheet SOA material which, combined, created an accurate
account of the hospital’s historical and current typologies. The third source for the
Chelsea and Westminster hospital was Sheppard Robson architects. This case study
exists as a single set of drawings due to its recent relocation. No changes have occurred
to the hospital’s typology since its opening in 1992. Electronic plans in AutoCad format
were available as a record of current departmental layouts. The fourth source for
University College London Hospital (UCLH) was the Trust and the hospital’s architect.
Only one set of fragmented electronic plans was available but a complete SOA
spreadsheet was created. SOA information was received from two sources: the Trust
and Llewellyn-Davies (LD) architects (see Appendix F.43).
3.7 Data analysis: Case studies
One sample, rather than multiples, is employed in this research as variation for spatial
analysis is sought between urban typologies instead. As a result, the method employed
for case study analysis is a single quantitative approach. This method allows for a range
of, but cohesive, set of spatial findings. Based on measured data, numerous analytical
questions explore and define the existence of relationships and trends. The aim of this
quantitative method is to support previous findings and conclusions by demonstrating
that the study’s research is rigorous through comparative quantitative analysis.
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Industry standards exist for the measurement of hospital space but no documentation
seems to exist for the specific analyses of hospital high-tech areas. The author,
therefore, established the following protocols for measuring this study’s case study
plans. Five standard terminologies, typically used by British medical planners, were
adopted for measurement (fully defined in Appendix C.21):
1. Gross Departmental Area (GDA) = high/low tech areas
2. Gross Communications Area (GCA)
3. Gross Plant Area (GPA)
4. Gross Facility Management Area (GFMA)
5. Gross Building Area (GBA): GBA = GDA + GCA + GPA + GFMA.
All case study plans were measured and recorded in metric form per sqm for
consistency even though plans prior the 1960s were drawn imperially. Areas are
measured per department with results grouped for analysis under one of four headings:
1. High-tech, 2. Low-tech (Wards), 3. Plant/Comms., and 4. Facility Management (FM)
(where applicable).
Originally, the measurement of plans was to be calculated electronically. However, data
limitations and inconsistent formats directed analyses to be conducted by hand
calculations and SOAs. All areas were calculated as per the established protocol with all
results recorded in a single standard format of measurement. Quantitative data is
examined through research objectives and questions that compare the changes in
hospital space against Chapter 5’s identified rates of technology development. Findings
and results are detailed in Chapter 6 where a conclusion was determined: medical
technology is a dominant driver of NHS hospital space.
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3.8 Data Analysis: Scenario creation
The final phase of this study’s ‘prospective’ methodology is visualising the future.
Explorations are based on analysed findings and are conducted through a scenario
creation method.
The prime purpose of scenarios is to enable decision-makers to explore alternative

futures so as to clarify present actions and subsequent consequences (Ratcliffe,
2000:3).
Typical uses for the scenario method include the future planning for the European
Commission, the USA defence industry and the UK’s NHS (Ringland, 1998). The aim
of this study’s scenario creation is to understand the impact of medical ETs on future
hospital space.
Thesis self-created prospective ‘scenario’ formula

1. Identification of the driving forces of change
2. Detection of the main issues and trends shaping the future
3. Establishment of scenario logics
4. Creation of different scenarios
Table 3.6 Thesis scenario formula.
As per Krawczyk and Ratcliffe’s ‘Prospective’ methodology, scenario creation consists
of three methods: scenario thinking; scenario logic; scenario building (Ratcliffe & Sirr,
2003:3-9). The third method of scenario building is excluded here, as this study is not
concerned with policy formation. This decision is driven by the principle that scenario
building is essentially a team exercise that explores distinct and plausible futures that
simply project the past forwards (Shoemaker, 1998). This is not the intent of this
research, which seeks to conceive all possible futures for medical ETs at this early stage
of development. Therefore, this study’s scenario creation is focused on instigating a
variety of future medical planning ideas. Consequently, this study created a unique
scenario method that is underpinned by Krawczyk & Ratcliffe’s proposed scenario
technique (Krawczyk & Ratcliffe, 2005:9). Listed in Table 3.6, a four-step formula is
employed to achieve Chapter 8’s scenario creations. The first two steps are formed from
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the study’s determined major trends and influences. Scenario logics are introduced to
evaluate areas of future medical planning uncertainties. Four parameters for scenario
logics are outlined next.
(i) Scenario Logics
Scenario logics are defined as:
The underlying principles around which the different scenarios are structured. They
focus on the pivotal uncertainties...and present alternative theories of the way the
world might work (Ratcliffe, 2004:28-9).
The purpose of scenario logics is to establish a logical structure and rationale for
scenarios by trying to make sense of uncertain drivers of change. These include
superforces and shocks, which have not been examined within this study. This
exploration demands a thesis by itself but awareness of external influences has been
noted throughout. One force is central to this study: technology’s current status within
NHS hospitals. To upgrade NHS technology’s status to an internationally recognised
high standard, will incur spatial changes regardless of ETs. Hence, the organisation of
NHS technology is considered this study’s ‘superforce’. This factor underpins the four
scenario logics laid out in Table 3.7. Scenario logic No.4 is considered uninformative as
no change is expected to occur to hospital space. This directs the empirical exploration
to create three plausible scenarios from scenario logic groups 1-3.
Scenario
Scenario
Logic Scenario Group type Scenario Group Type
Logic No.
No.
High technology growth High technology growth where
where NHS implements NHS cannot implement
1 3
medical ETs in hospital medical ETs in hospital space
space
Slow technology growth Slow technology growth and
where NHS implements no implementation of
2 4
medical ETs in hospital in technology in NHS space
space
Table 3.7 Scenario Logics: Four group types.
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Each scenario is self-contained, and having its own scenario logic, depicts alternative
spatial visions for medical ETs in London acute hospitals. Furthermore, each scenario is
structured upon a general UAT patient flow. This flow is generated by patients’ first
entrance to hospital via A&E. Once admitted, patients flow differently between the five
high-tech departments established in section 3.5. A flow chart showing UAT patient
movement for scenarios replicates current medical practice (see Figure 3.4). Typical
departmental rooms discussed within scenarios are drawn from relative HBN guidance
listed in Appendix C.22.
Figure 3.4 Scenario creation: Existing departmental flows for UAT patients.
3.9 Limitations
The current study acknowledges the thesis is subject to limitations. Five areas of
recurring data collection and analysis limitations were experienced.
The first restriction relates to the data collection of hospital drawings. As a student,
great difficulty was experienced in sourcing NHS hospital plans. The main hindrance
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for acquiring plans included risk of confidentiality, their non-existence, a lack of filing
systems, an inability to convert old drawings into digital files as well as a reluctance of
keyholders to release information. Therefore, while the measurement of plans was
achieved, data collection was more time consuming and arduous than anticipated. For
example, both the RLH and St. Thomas’ plans took over nineteen months each to
locate. Consequently, the case study’s sample was limited insofar that it was not
feasible to extend pre-1990 research to UCLH and Chelsea and Westminster case
studies. Having relocated numerous times since 1840, data collection limitations guided
the thesis to not research these pre-1990 case study plans. This limitation directed the
research to explore a smaller case study sample, which may have limited thesis findings.
The second limitation arose from the quality of collected material. Many pre-1950
drawings were unreferenced with no scales, dates or drawing information inscribed.
Additional time consuming analyses was required to make sense of discrepancies
between sets of plans. For example, the 1832 RLH plans were found to be inconsistent
when scaled to match 1900 drawings. As the building remained unchanged between
1832-1900, the decision was made to base all drawing measurements from the detailed
set of 1900 plans. This limitation may have skewed some results.
The third limitation regards the unavailability of full sets of hospital floor plans. This
added further procedures to the data analysis process. Calculations were produced from
a combination of plans, sections, literature searches and photographic data. This
limitation reduced the scope of data analyses and led to inconsistent findings at times.
Generally, major problems exist for the collection of NHS hospital data. This study
contributes to filling this gap in medical planning knowledge.
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A self-created methodology directed the study, which may have been bias. However,
this fourth limitation is based upon established scenario logics. This method was chosen
to enhance the trustworthiness of scenarios by providing alternative futures with a broad
spatial vision rather than a limited perspective of developing medical ETs.
The fifth restriction regards future medical equipment information, which remains
limited in 2013. In comparison, a plethora of scientific information exists for future
medical practices. For example, scientific data upon pharmacogenomics is published
widely but its clinical delivery is not so explicit from literature. This limitation
restricted insight into the visualisation of future hospital space.
This chapter identifies the research design adopted to deliver the current study. This is a
single future-orientated ‘prospective’ methodology and mixed-methods approach. The
self-created research design divides the thesis into three research phases where each is
dedicated to exploring the objectives set out in Chapter 1. In a bid to highlight an
alternative perspective of medical technology’s influence on future urban acute hospital
space, the thesis creates a new methodology derived from Krawczyk and Ratcliffe’s
future studies theories. On this basis, a quantitative case study methods approach was
incorporated for data collection and analaysis. This is followed by scenario creations
that visualise future hospital spaces that incorporate medical ET findings. The first of
four thesis objectives is to prove technology’s relationship with hospital space. As all
journeys begin with a single step, the first process of the ‘prospective’ methodology is
explored next in Chapter 4.
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Chapter 4: Historical influences of UK hospital space
“Present-day hospitals reflect a combination of the legacy of the past and the needs of
the present”
(Healy & McKee, 2002:14)

Chapter 4
4.0 Introduction
Part II is a research phase dedicated to confirming technology’s relationship with
hospital space. Chapter 4 focuses on meeting this first objective by presenting a
historical review of British hospital space. Revolutions and intertwined elements are
mapped through the examination of past and present design factors to provide an
understanding of evolving spatial influences that constitute current NHS hospital
design. The chapter begins with an exploration of organisational and medical design
factors that trace medical planning events and subsequent spatial revolutions since
1600. Thereafter, a critical assessment of architectural influences exposes post-1850
events that are crucial to revolutionising British hospital space. Chapter findings reveal
three sets of important information: (i) a list of influences that impact directly on
hospital space formation; (ii) a mapped evolution of medical planning from which to
examine technology’s impact on hospital space in Chapter 5; (iii) relevant trends to
assist with future-proofing hospital space in Chapter 8’s scenario creations.
4.1 Organisational influences: The NHS
This section introduces the NHS as an organisational influence to explain its exclusion
as a dominant hospital design factor and timeframe chosen for this study’s initial spatial
exploration. In recognising the NHS’s dominant role in British public healthcare, two
perspectives - pre and post NHS establishment (1948) - are drawn to examine how
organisation imposes on hospital space.
4.1.1 Pre 1948: Royal and voluntary hospitals
Outlined in Appendix D.1, the origins of British healthcare were dominated by
ecclesiastical power, which ended abruptly after Henry VIII’s enforced dissolution of
monasteries (1536-40). This reorganisation of managerial power devastated British
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healthcare provision1 (Richardson, 1998:1). The outcome witnessed the closure of all
infirmaries throughout the UK. In London, the closure of St. Bartholomew’s, St.
Thomas’ and St. Mary’s without Bishopsgate (1539) caused London’s impecunious to
suffer colossal healthcare losses (Barry & Carruthers, 2005:16-8). However, Henry
VIII’s financial act of greed ironically transformed the organisation of British
healthcare. A twofold revolution resulted from accumulated events. The first revolution
witnessed the opening of desperately needed new hospital buildings. Four fee-paying
Royal Hospitals were established by The Crown in response to government pressure
concerning the City’s dire healthcare requirements2. Two remain functional today - St.
Bartholomew’s and St. Thomas’- but have outgrown their original hospital premises.
Such prototypes possess four hundred years of cocooned typological information.
Subsequently both were nominated for case study research in Chapter 6. The second
revolution marked the end of ecclesiastical domination and the beginning of new
methods for organising healthcare. These were the ‘Royal’ and ‘voluntary’ hospital
organisations.
No hospitals existed outside the City of London by 1700. In contrast, City philanthropy
had resulted in the establishment of numerous charitable infirmaries in London City3.
With funds barely covering medical care expenses, ‘voluntary’ hospitals were located
originally in humble rented accommodation, such as, the RLH, Westminster and
Middlesex hospitals4. These privately managed and funded secular structures
revolutionised hospital management (Barry & Carruthers, 2005:58,102). The power of
healthcare organisation was diverted to lay people for the first time introducing new
1
Henry VIII’s tax policy was introduced to pay for the expenses of the French war and his extravagant
lifestyle. However, tax money ‘collected for reconstructing new hospitals’ was never transferred.
2
Bought and administered by the City of London (1547-51), the four hospitals included: Bethlem;
Bridewell; St. Thomas’s; St. Bartholomew’s. (St Bartholomew’s Hospital, St. Bart’s Archives).
3
17th century trade and commerce flourished resulting in a new wealthy middle-class who wished to help
the poor by establishing hospitals.
4
Westminster (1720), Guy’s (1724), St. George’s (1733), The London (1740) and Middlesex (1745).
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roles into the process of designing hospitals. The success of the voluntary hospitals is
represented architecturally by the existence of mid-19th century typologies throughout
the capital city (Richardson, 1998). Hence, these voluntary hospitals are noted as
extremely significant, acting as precedents to contemporary NHS management and NHS
hospital design. However, by the 1940s, hospital running costs had become excessive,
beyond philanthropy and patient fees (Porter, 2006:209-10). An alternative solution was
necessary as existing organisational structures proved unfeasible financially.
4.1.2 Post 1948: The NHS
Throughout the late-1800s and the duration of both world wars, state involvement in
public healthcare had become increasingly expectant. Assisted by the escalating
expenditure of medical treatment and salaries, the provision of healthcare became a
political affair. True to their electoral campaign, the new Labour government passed
through parliament the most important UK healthcare act ever - the 1946 NHS Act
(Willcocks, 1967:28). The impact of this monumental health act amalgamated all
existing public hospitals and their estates into one unified organisation - the NHS
(1948). This new healthcare system suffered from post-World War II (WWII) financial
shortages as government budgets only allowed for housing and education construction
(Pickstone, 2006:290; Watkin, 1978:59). The outcome was rather non-eventful as the
1946 NHS Act:
Created no new hospitals, trained no new doctors, brought no new drugs or methods
of treatment into being (Watkin, 1978:1).
Essentially the NHS’s formation modified the managerial and financial organisation of
British social healthcare. Other organisational acts followed, notably 1973 NHS
Reorganisation Act, 1999 Health Act and National Health Service Act 2006 (current
NHS regulation), but all were concerned with changing internal management only (The
Charity Commission for England and Wales, 2011:1-7). While NHS events were
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expected to be architecturally revolutionary, findings reveal the NHS establishment did
not affect hospital design essentially. Estates were sold or re-organised within the NHS
system but no new hospitals resulted from the unification of socialised care. This
redirected this study’s research to widen its historical perspective. Details are elaborated
upon in section 4.2.
By the mid-1990s, the NHS remained the organisational structure for providing British
social healthcare. Spiralling costs for maintaining hospitals became financially onerous,
far beyond taxpayers’ fundable scope (Leach, 2007:22). Alternative financial
methodologies were introduced to rebuild the NHS estate, which included Local
Improvement Finance Trust (LIFT) and PFI processes. Over the past decade, newly
constructed NHS acute hospitals have been delivered predominantly by PFI, altering
NHS capital estate ownership significantly. At a time when most NHS hospitals needed
renovation (2000s), PFI was a solution that resolved the critical necessity of rebuilding
the NHS’s deteriorating estate. While negative opinions about PFI products are
expressed throughout the architectural profession (see Figure 4.1), this study asks; was
there an alternative solution to address the dire hospital needs at that time? Generally,
public discussions concentrate on improving or abolishing the PFI process but
procedures are not this study’s particular focus. Instead, this main concern is the reality
of PFI NHS hospitals and their ability to cope with future spatial change.
Richard Rogers called for the government to abandon PFI and a return to ‘a more
direct appointment of architects’
John Cooper: ‘Everyone...acknowledges that PFI in its current form is effectively
dead, and a new form of procurement needs to be devised’
Jack Pringle: ‘It has produced very poor results in terms of design, cost control and
manageability, and now it can’t even finance itself’
Figure 4.1 Published opinions about the PFI process by leading UK architects
(Winston, 2009:1).
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4.1.3 Analysis of organisational findings
Three periods and two revolutions emerged from an analysis of organisational findings
(see Table 4.1). The significance of both transformations represents a major trend in
organisational change. For example, ecclesiastical care was organised on a massive
institutionalised scale. Thereafter, healthcare was transferred to a segregated network of
Royal and voluntary hospitals. However, the original status of a large institutionalised
organisation was reinstated by the NHS’s establishment, which leads the thesis to
suggest that, considering the NHS’s current crippling financial budget, the future NHS
solution is to segregate their mass organisation. Historically, organisational
transformations were not embodied architecturally but if segregation were to happen in
the near future, the potential hospital medical planning ramifications would be far-
reaching. For example, shared services and medical equipment, such as, CTs and MRIs,
are co-located for current financial and staffing efficiencies. Therefore, equipment and
staff would need to be duplicated but space for this change is unaccounted for in PFI
hospitals. This alternative NHS scenario requires a spatial examination which is beyond
this thesis’ scope.
Five of the seven organisational events recorded had architectural implications (see
Appendix D.8). Therefore, one could determine organisation to be a dominant hospital
space driver. However, further investigations charted the same data against the
availability of financial investment (see Table 4.2). Findings revealed that finance was
present 100% for all organisational events. This identifies a dependent relationship co-
exists between organisation and finance. The recent national hospital rebuilding
programmes (1960s/2000s) support this argument fully as the transformation of NHS
hospitals would not have occurred without major financial injections.
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Organisational Period Time scale Revolution

Christianity to Voluntary (300- (i) Shift from ecclesiastical power to
Hospitals 1700AD) Royal or voluntary organisations
Voluntary Hospitals to NHS (1700-1948) (ii) Unification of British hospital

management under the NHS.
Post-NHS (1948+)
Table 4.1 List of organisational findings: Timescales and revolutions (see Appendix
D.7).
A. B. Financial C. Spatial
D. Analysis
Organisation investment impact
No. A number of
Greeks Not stated No development
existing temples
As their power
Yes. Infirmaries
expanded, Increased numbers but
Christianity built alongside
finances no innovation
monasteries
accumulated
Pre- NHS(1948)
No money No. All hospitals Organisational

Reformation
available closed influence only
Yes. Rented in Mainly rented
City of London existing accommodation but
Royals bought Royal architecture of Royals were
hospitals Palladian styled organisationally
buildings significant
Yes. In rental
Charitable fund Rented first until
properties until
Voluntary raising brought in finance available to
the mid-19th
financial support build
century
Money injected
Yes. 10 year
Post-NHS(1948)
from government Influential only when

NHS hospital building
in 1962 Hospital money was available
programme
Building Plan
PFI process
Yes. 10 year PFI
created a new Influential when
NHS/PFI hospital building
source for money was available
programme
financing
Table 4.2 Analysis of findings: Financial investment included (see Appendix D.8).
Generally, until 1850, organisational influences were architecturally numeric based on
hospitals opening and closing rather than instigating spatial evolutions. The
establishment of the NHS proved equally non-eventful as no new hospital buildings
resulted. Therefore, while a link was found to exist between organisation and
architecture, a co-dependency on finance identifies the NHS and organisational
influences not to be dominant drivers of hospital space within this study’s context.
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4.2 Medical influences: Post-16th century
The previous section’s revelations inform the timeframe for exploring medical
influences. As the NHS establishment was defined as a non-event in the history of
British hospital design, the research was redirected from a pre- and post-NHS
examination. Instead, an extensive search of events was undertaken dating back to
400BC to identify a relative period that corresponds with the study’s investigation of
hospital space (see Appendix D.1-6). Findings reveal most pre-1600 hospital design
events are irrelevant to the study. Therefore, this section analyses a conflation of post-
17th century revolutionary medical events. Four of the five medical influences identified
in section 3.1.2 are examined individually in sections 4.2.1-4. Thereafter, a spatial
analysis of all medical influences is discussed to identify historical key drivers
responsible for reconfiguring hospital space.
4.2.1 Medical knowledge: The development of western medicine
The development of western medical knowledge is interwoven with numerous internal
and external influences. Seven medical knowledge events inform the development of
post-16th century hospital space: (i) the end of ecclesiastical power; (ii) Italian
Renaissance; (iii) printing technology developments; (iv) Industrial Revolution; (v)
worldwide movement of medical students; (vi) 19th century evolution of hospital
functionality; (vii) 20th century molecular exploration.
The first event is the end of ecclesiastical control over healthcare (1539) which, in its
absence, demolished the barriers restricting medical exploration and innovation. This
monumental event initiated the growth of medical knowledge which, in turn,
revolutionised Galen’s millennium-old theories of classical humorism5. This event was
5
See Glossary.
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Chapter 4
further assisted by another fortuitous opportunity; the great eruditional epoch of the
Italian Renaissance. This second event encouraged autopsy exploration, which assisted
in founding new anatomical knowledge and the eventual instigation of Galenical
doctrines to be challenged as naive and incorrect. From these revolutionary events
unfolded new discoveries that transformed the extent of medicine. This was followed by
the New Sciences6 and Age of Enlightenment7, which expanded medical knowledge
further, for example, William Harvey’s discovery of the blood circulatory system
(Porter, 2006:136-214).
The third event was the advancement of printing technology which expanded the
availability of publishing. The correlation between medical experimentation and written
knowledge was improved vastly through increased productivity. As recorded:
The introduction of printing in England in 1476 marks a different, and well-

documented era (Levere, 1982:40).
This technology development revolutionised the ability to gain access to vital medical
information (see Figure 4.2). As a result, 14th and 15th century medical knowledge
expanded extensively based on the large increase in English scientific texts
(Taavitsainen & Pahta, 2004:1).
1 - Printing
2 – Medical journals, etc.
3 – Autopsies/Surgery
4 – Technology
5 – Sciences/Laboratory work
Figure 4.2 Relationship diagram of findings: Impact of printing.
6
Based in 17th century Italy, The New Sciences fundamentally established body functionality.
7
The Age of Enlightenment explored general anatomy during the 18th century.
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Chapter 4
Volumes of Printed Titles Volumes of Printing
Year Titles Year Prints
1518 71 1436-1536 420
1519 111 1736-1816 22,500
1520 208
1523 498
1665-1790 1052
Table 4.3 Tables of listed printed volumes (Kronick, 1962:60,73).
The impact of new printing technology is evident in the number of printed volumes
between 1436 and 1816 (see Table 4.3). As Steiner & Phillips argue, over 700 journals
were established in America, Canada, and Great Britain by 1830. Of these, ‘2
newspapers and 3 journals were medically orientated’, one of which - The Lancet -
remains central to current medical practice8 (Steiner & Phillips, 1993:1). These figures
contrast radically with the 9th century’s total of 1000 books of knowledge (see Appendix
D.1). This third event provides insight into the influence of new technologies on the
development of medicine. In this case, new communication systems dispersed
information that led to new medical knowledge and practices.
The fourth event was the Industrial Revolution and its direct influence on 19th century
medical innovativeness. New inventions, processes and technologies filtered through to
impact on the medical field. For example, new scientific knowledge led to the discovery
of X-rays, anaesthesia and aseptic treatments (Barry & Carruthers, 2005:44). These
discoveries revolutionised diagnostic and surgical exploration adding new dimensions
to medical knowledge.
Fifth, by 1800, France had become a hub for surgical innovation while German
laboratories led the field of pathological science. Students worldwide flocked to Europe
to study within these educational institutions. Upon graduation, they returned to their
8
The two newspapers included The Lancet (1823) and London Medical Gazette (1827). The three
journals included Edinburgh Medical and Surgical Journal (1800), British & Foreign Medico-Chirurgical
Review (1824).
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native countries to disperse their medical discoveries within new self-established
specialists’ hospitals (Porter, 2006:160-3). The significance was expanse insofar that,
for the first time, medical knowledge became dispersed on a global platform made
possible by improved communications, such as, medical journals.
The sixth event was a revolution in hospital functionality which occurred in the 1800s.
Hospitals evolved from places of care into centres of medical information. With newly
introduced pedagogical methodologies, hospitals became pivotal to institutionalised
knowledge. Clinical instruction became central to the educational curriculum where
medical students followed their tutors around wards and operating theatres (Porter,
2006:187-8). Additionally, hospitals themselves became sources of knowledge where
physical examinations were allowed for the first time. Physicians gained new medical
knowledge from accessing large populations of varied sick patients.
Since the physician had far more control over the patient in the hospital setting,
medical science progressed more rapidly there (Miller & Swennson, 2002:44).
This ability to explore, monitor and treat disease in 19th century hospitals became
central to discovering new anatomical knowledge and the development of the modern
hospital.
The seventh event bypassed the accumulation of all previous medical progression. This
was 20th century cellular exploration which revolutionised pharmaceutical and
molecular sciences. For example, the discovery of DNA structures, penicillin and
paracetamol, represent 20th century medical innovation that has increased life
expectancy and the quality of human lives (Pickstone, 2006:289;
Rosenfield&Rosenfield, 1969:5). At present, molecular exploration continues at the
‘nano’ scale of metabolism to expand medical knowledge and the discovery of new
anatomical functionalities.
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Spatial outcomes, resulting from medical knowledge progression, proved inconsistent.
For example, while revolutions occurred in medical knowledge from 1600 onwards,
purpose built hospitals only existed post-1800s. From here on in, the outcome of the
Industrial Revolution formed new specialist disciplines and medical specialities which
increased space for functionalities as well as establish new specialist hospitals. Later, as
hospitals became pedagogic centres, the demand for additional space resulted in the
construction of many teaching hospitals (UCLH,1834). However, the arrival of 20th
century cellular exploration deeply affected hospital space. Laboratory areas were
increased to cater for a broader range of treatments. In doing so, additional space to all
departments resultd while medical planning complexities increased as more patients
were admitted.
EVENTS REVOLUTIONS
Figure 4.3 Medical knowledge findings: List of events and revolutions (400BC-date)
List of events Spatial

(400BC-date) implications
1. Ancient Greek None
2. Galen’s writings None
3. Black Death - autopsies None
4. Printing None
5. Renaissance None
6. Industrial Revolution Yes
7. European institutions Yes
8. Teaching hospitals Yes
9. C20th developments Yes
Figure 4.4 Medical knowledge findings: Graphed of events and list of spatial analysis
(400BC-date).
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Findings from 400BC-2012 are charted in Figures 4.3-4. Nine events and six
revolutions were recorded but spatial implications remained constant (four) between pre
and post-1600 periods. Therefore, the thesis determines; a shared status of activity
between post-1600 hospital space and medical knowledge does not establish the latter
as a dominant driver of hospital space. This decision is based on a lack of spatial
planning implications prior to 1800 as no medical planning evolutions emerged
particularly between the Renaissance and Industrial Revolution. On this basis, the thesis
identifies the emergence of new medical knowledge is as an early indicator of hospital
spatial change.
4.2.2 Medical practice: Development of clinical and acute care
Hospitals were identified as places for recuperation in section 4.2.1 where Galen’s
classical humorism dominated healthcare until the 1800s. Only basic medical treatments
were administered, for example, cupping, cutting and sweating (Barry & Carruthers,
2005:144-5). Designated spaces for specialist medical functionality were, therefore, not
required at this time. For the affluent, the same humoral care9 was delivered by
physicians within clients’ homes. This characterises the number and types of patients
within pre-19th century hospitals. While historically non-eventful, two medical practice
events have occurred since 1600. Both occurrences were responsible for revolutionising
the course of modern medical practice.
The first revolution unfolded as new medical knowledge accumulated by the 1850s.
Galenical practice was replaced with a new model of care: the ‘clinical gaze’ (Foucault,
1989:58-62). This change in medical theology revolutionised the centuries-old humoral
practice from one of care to diagnosis and treatment that focused on disease rather than
9
Reference to the practice of Galen’s classical humorism.
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Chapter 4
patient ailments. This revolution was enormously significant as it established a new
medical agenda. The ‘clinical gaze’ remains the philosophical basis of contemporary
western medicine and practice.
Continued growth of 19th century medical knowledge lends itself to the second medical
practice revolution. New knowledge directly affected medical practice to become
segregated and specialised. However, it wasn’t until the 1930s that a new discipline was
established in accordance with acuity level. This was the emergence of acute care
practice, which as a recent development, has developed quickly into a complex
discipline (see section 4.2.3).
EVENTS REVOLUTIONS
Figure 4.5 Medical practice findings: Events and revolutions (400BC-date).
Only three revolutions were revealed from analysing 2400 years of medical practice
(see Figure 4.5). Previously alluded, the outcome of uncontrollable external factors
stagnated healthcare practice for many centuries. Therefore, while in existence for over
two millennia, the thesis identifies medical practice as evolving only since the mid-19th
century. However, findings indicate that a relationship exists between a change-in-
practice and hospital space formation. For example, after the clinical gaze transformed
the medical agenda, the number of hospitals boomed. Each contained dedicated clinical
spaces for new medical practices, such as, operating theatre (OT) rooms at the RLH (see
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section 6.2). Similarly, no acute care facilities existed in pre-1930s hospitals but since
the introduction of an NHS acute care service, large specialised acute hospital buildings
have come into existence. Both outcomes determine that spatial implications result from
changes in medical practice. Hence, the thesis identifies medical practice as a dominant
driver of hospital space.
4.2.3 Delivery of medical practice: The impact of British services
This section focuses on the delivery of medical practice to understand its influence upon
hospital space. Taken from the perspective of British care, the discussion of medical
delivery is divided into pre- and post-NHS periods. Six events are identified, with five
considered as revolutionary, to comprehend the significance of delivery upon the
configuration of hospital space.
(i) Pre-NHS
Physicians delivered Galenic practice for numerous centuries (140-1850s). Spiritual,
rather than physical, care was delivered in ecclesiastical infirmaries. Thereafter, Royal
and voluntary hospitals delivered humoral palliative care but unlike the fee paying
Royal hospitals, voluntary hospitals offered free care, such as, at the Royal Free
Hospital, London (Barry & Carruthers, 2005:73; Richardson, 1998:5). Free healthcare
resulted in great demands which evolved voluntary hospitals substantially:
From a handful of infirmaries which served a minority of the population into a

network of institutions which are central to the health and welfare of the entire
country (Richardson, 1998:vii).
Social attitudes were overturned when increased patient survival rates and improved
environmental conditions gained voluntary hospitals a good reputation, as attendance at
hospitals was socially unacceptable prior the late-1880s. This change instigated a new
trend where affluent patients began attending voluntary hospitals. The outcome changed
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the patient type and influenced the quality of hospital services and environments
(McKee & Healy, 2002:17). By 1948, both Royal and voluntary hospitals had become
strategic to delivering British public healthcare.
Improvements to 19th century transportation impacted on the extent of healthcare
delivery indirectly. For example, patients without access to hospitals could now travel
by train to be treated in London. More notably, transport was incorporated into the
delivery system for the first time through the activation of the 1879 Public Health Act.
Ambulances were introduced to transport contagious patients to hospital as part of a
public health quarantine process.
One benefit was that the Act permitted the board to provide horse-drawn carriages
for the transport of patients to hospital to reduce the use of public transport and thus
the spread of the disease....Ambulance stations were created at the hospital, with
accommodation for the nurses and coachmen as well as the ambulances and horses
(Barry & Carruthers, 2005:169).
This rapid transportation of sick patients to hospitals introduced an emerging concept
for 20th century healthcare. Nevertheless, palliative care remained dominant in British
hospitals until another important act was passed in response to WWII casualty forecasts.
The 1939 Emergency Medical Service (EMS) Act set about unifying medical staff
amongst all London hospitals to create a united network of services (Rivett, 1986). This
new model for delivering care was significant from two perspectives: (i) as a precursor
to the NHS system; (ii) as a concept for delivering future acute care.
(ii) Post-NHS
The most revolutionary event in delivering British public healthcare was the NHS. The
delivery of care became nationalised into one organisation from a staffing and
managerial perspective. Additional revolutions were experienced in the delivery of
medication, surgery and diagnostics (Watkins, 1978: I). Since 1948, the NHS can be
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accredited with developing the delivery of British public acute care. Since its origins,
the delivery of acute care has affected the number, size and medical planning of NHS
hospitals enormously. The NHS currently operates 166 previously non-existent British
acute hospitals. Equally since 1948, delivery has evolved to become a ‘patient focused
care’ essential to administering quality care since the 1970s (DOH, 2007:1). Established
in the NHS’s 1991 The Patient Charter10, patient rights and experiences in hospital are
currently central to delivering NHS care which is palpable from the NHS’s recent intent
to deliver care in 100% single patient bedrooms (such as, Pembury Hospital, Kent,
2010). Currently, NHS care is delivered predominantly at clinics, acute and DGHs
while home care is delivered through numerous care-in-the-community programmes.
However, the recent arrival of computer and internet technology is evolving the nature
of delivery to one of mobility. For example, telemedicine and telehealth are new
methods for delivering NHS care which are revolutionising the role of NHS hospitals
profoundly.
Events Revolutions Spatial impact

Establishment of
Change in organisation
1. Voluntary/ Royal Not directly, overtime
for delivering care
hospitals
Pre-NHS
Concept of transferring Yes, space for nurses,
1879 Public
patients to hospital by coachmen and horses
Health Act
2. ambulance added
Development of acute
1939 EMS Act Yes, after the 1940s
care practice begins
Nationalised the
3. NHS Act (1946) None
delivery of UK care
Post-NHS
1991 Patient Yes, but only starting to

4. Patient focused care
Charter filter through
Development of
High-tech UAT care Yes, mobility is changing
5. technology and
developed delivery
internet
Table 4.4 Medical delivery of care: Historical analysis post-1600 findings.
10
Introduced by the then Conservative government, to give access to services and information with
personal consideration and respect to patients (Hogg, 1999:179).
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Section findings indicate that medical delivery impacts on hospital space strongly (see
Table 4.4). The thesis, however, determines this influence is not a dominant design
driver in spite of findings. An analysis reveals that delivery relies upon other events to
instigate spatial change. For example, NHS acute care delivery was an outcome of the
1939 EMS Act and not an outcome of progressing medical practices. For this reason, the
thesis recognises the delivery of medical practice is a dependent design factor that
impacts on hospital space in the long-term.
4.2.4 Medical processes: The concept of separated care
The significance of medical processes within the history of hospital space are taken
from two perspectives of separated and non-separated care. Three important events are
revealed as revolutionary and support medical processes as being a dominant driver of
hospital space.
The concept of separated medical care is not a recent development. The Ancient Greeks
and Romans practised segregation between males and females as well as hot and cold
treatments. Proof of these processes is exemplified in the architectural ruins of the Baths
of Caraculla, Rome (see Figure 4.6). However, this process was overturned by the
domination of ecclesiastical non-separated care:
Treatment was very limited; instead, caring, compassion, and spiritual comfort were
emphasized (Miller & Swennson, 2002:40).
The process of non-segregation was reflected spatially in the form of large open rooms,
such as, the layouts of pre-1600 monastic infirmaries represented typically in Figure
4.7. Alternatively, physicians delivered classical humorism where simple functionalities
were exercised. None required a degree of separation for delivering Galenic medicine.
One exception existed during medieval times (400-1400s) for those with infectious
diseases. This segregation, however, did not take place within infirmary buildings, as
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contagious patients were not permitted into these establishments. Instead, infected
patients were sent to leper ‘hospitals’ or ‘lazar houses’ on the outskirts of towns (see
Appendix D.5).
Lepers were accommodated in secluded communities of separate cottages with

detached chapels (Richardson, 1998:1).
British recordings of lazar houses date from pre-Norman times and continued until their
use expired after the 1400s (Barry & Carruthers, 2005:9-12). Thereafter, the next and
latest revolution in medical processes evolved from a joint accumulation of three
significant events.
Figure 4.6 Left: Baths of Caraculla (250AD) organised different treatments and
ailments through the use of sophisticated planning and technology (Furneaux Jordan,
1991:53). Figure 4.7 Right: 12th century Monastic Infirmary, Canterbury Cathedral
(Barry & Carruthers, 2005:1).
The first event resulted from a change in disease from plagues to other contageous
illnesses. These included smallpox and cholera which were sourced allegedly from
‘miasma’.
In the mid-eighteenth century, the prevailing theory of the causality was the
miasmatic or zymotic theory which held that illness was the result of miasma or ‘bad
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air’...and the deterrent to miasma was the circulation of plenty of fresh air (Miller &
Swensson, 2002:42).
As a result, 18th century military hospital design, ‘the most advanced medical thinking
of the period’, created a new typology for the functional treatment of miasma11:
The Admiralty hospital was built as a series of detached pavilions connected by an

open arcade, thereby exposing patients to the maximum amount of natural ventilation
(Miller & Swensson, 2002:42).
The outcome of this event was twofold in revolutionising the process of care and
hospital space: (i) it re-introduced the concept of clinical separation; (ii) infectious
patients were included in hospitals for the first time. In contrast, since no public hospital
construction existed for another one hundred years, general hospitals:
Restricted themselves to fairly minor complaints likely to respond to treatment, and

they excluded infectious cases...Separate fever hospitals were, however, set up for
those with contagious diseases12 (Porter, 2006:186).
Eventually the ‘military’ model was incorporated into 19th century British public
hospitals. The most noted being St. Thomas’, London with its ‘miasmatic’ orientated
Nightingale Wards (see section 4.3.1).
The second event emerged during the early European Renaissance where a degree of
separation was introduced at the Hotel Dieu, Paris (see Figure 4.12).
Patients were classified and separated according to type and severity of illness, and
there was a separate unit for women recovering from childbirth. The hospital was
divided into various departments, each governed by a head (Miller & Swensson,
2002:41-2).
Mapping the first form of clinical departmentalisation within contemporary European
hospital design, the Hotel Dieu’s introduction of new disciplines marks a distinct
change in hospital functionality. This conceptual manner for a ‘hospital’ would take
many years to emerge within Britain (post-1850s). An array of events allowed for the
medical planning of British hospitals to develop finally. In response to new anatomical
knowledge and the clinical gaze’s effect upon delivery, numerous specialist hospitals
11
A military hospital at Stonehouse, Plymouth (1762) is the best typological example designed with
miasma in mind at this time.
12
An example of a fever hospital included the House of Recovery, London (1801).
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became established throughout London City13. However, specialised care within
London’s general hospitals was hindered by staff monopolisation whose hostility and
distrust towards specialists banned specialist disciplines from all general hospitals
(Richardson, 1998:34). The outcome was no departmentalisation until the late-1800s.
Physicians revoked this status eventually to allow for specialist care within general
hospitals (Barry & Carruthers, 2005:184). This major event revolutionised British care
and medical planning since the 1870s.
The third event was instigated by medical knowledge expansion which replaced
humoral care. This diverged medicine into numerous medical specialities of body parts,
diseases and age groups. The outcome segregated medical practice to produce new
disciplines, professions and functionalities. Each expanding medical care component
required new space, for example:
In an 1889 survey most general hospitals had established out-patient clinics for skin,
eyes and ENT, but only women and ophthalmology had small in-patient units (Barry
& Carruthers, 2005:188).
Even during the short period of 1870-90, departments grew in size and numbers. All
events map the beginning of the latest trend for separated care. Spatial and functional
growth continued until after World War I (WWI) where ‘departments for specialised
treatment multiplied rapidly’ mapping further medical planning developments
(Richardson, 1998:11). New 20th century departments included Imaging, Radiotherapy
and Nuclear Medicine, Catheterisation Laboratories, ICU, Coronary Care Units,
Endoscopy and Neurology. All are classified as high-tech departments that deliver
specialised care. This process of separated care remains current practice throughout
NHS hospitals.
13
Graduates wishing to work in specialist disciplines could not find work in general voluntary hospitals
and were forced to open their own specialists’ hospitals. As a result by 1875, 36 specialist hospitals
existed in London.
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EVENTS REVOLUTIONS
Figure 4.8 Medical process findings: Events and revolutions (400BC-date).
Three revolutions are revealed for medical processes which interchange between
separated and non-separated care (see Figures 4.8). Both forms of medical process
demand drastically different spatial requirements as represented by monastic infirmaries
and the Baths of Caraculla. The latter typology correlates with present medical planning
complexities which are linked significantly through the same use of separated care. For
example, the latest medical process trend has led to the intricate division of hospital
space which is similarly reflected in Caraculla’s spatial planning. This finding supports
that medical processes influence spatial configuration. Current segregation has resulted
from three revolutionary events: the influence of 18th century military design; Hotel
Dieu’s ‘hospital’ concept; the accumulation of numerous post-1850s events. In each
case, all medical process events impacted on hospital space directly so much so that
new medical planning models were created to respond to change. Hence, the thesis
determines medical process is a dominant driver of hospital space.
4.2.5 Analysis of medical influences
A spatial analysis of section findings completes this examination of post-1600 medical
influences.
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The discussion upon medical knowledge as a design influence raises two important
issues. The first issue is the statistical finding that 55.6% of events occurred since 1600
(last 17% of researched timeframe) (see Appendix D.9). While this data is not a
quantitative measurement, the analysis drawn from findings is that the volumetric
measurement of medical knowledge has grown immensely since 1600. For example,
access to 9th century knowledge was documented as ‘1000’ books, in comparison with
Feynman’s 1959 calculation of ‘24 million volumes of interest in the world’ (Nutton,
2006:62; Feynman, 1960:24-5). New knowledge was identified as instigating medical
innovation which led to the requirement of new hospital spaces. The second issue
regards the stagnated status of pre-1600 medical knowledge which is reflected similarly
by a lack of hospital spatial innovation. These similarities could be interpreted as a
direct relationship between medical knowledge and hospital space. However, the thesis
identifies why medical knowledge is not dominant in influencing hospital space. Firstly,
inactivities in hospital space and medical knowledge were not linked uniquely during
The Dark Ages. Ecclesiastical domination restricted innovation across the whole of
European society. Secondly, the Renaissance and Industrial Revolution were medically
innovative but 17th-18th century British hospitals are not exemplified architecturally.
Contextually, if a revolutionary article on surgery is published in The Lancet, this new
knowledge will not directly affect hospital space as new surgical practices will need to
be created first. The impact on space will result from a change in medical practice
instead. Therefore, the thesis determines that a direct link does not exist between
medical knowledge and hospital space. Three medical planning trends identify medical
knowledge as:
(i) Not a direct design influence of hospital space
(ii) Central to instigating other medical influences
(iii) ‘Stage 2’ in configuring hospital space (see Figure 4.9: Example 1).
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Figure 4.9 Relationship flow diagram A: Analysis of medical knowledge and practice.
Only three medical practice revolutions emerged between 400BC-2012. In each case,
the event was so profound it transformed the course of medicine. With 66.6% of events
occurring in the last 8.8% of researched time, it was determined that post-1800 medical
practice events were central to overturning the methodology and philosophy of 19th
century medicine (see Appendix D.10). In continuing this trend, the next revolution will
cause a similar major change by deeply affecting the existing model of medical practice.
This next revolution is anticipated to arrive with the introduction of ‘nanomedicine’
which will shift the present medical agenda from one of preventative care to physical
enhancement (see section 7.1.3). The thesis determines the significance of medical
practice as directly influencing the configuration of hospital space. For example, it was
shown that medical exploration is instrumental in creating new medical knowledge. In
one instance, new knowledge led to the invention of the stethoscope and thereafter the
‘clinical gaze’ (see section 5.1.3). This medical revolution required new and additional
spaces which ranged from patient examination rooms to complete new teaching hospital
facilities. These findings identify medical practice as:
(i) A direct design driver of hospital space
(ii) ‘Stage 4’ in the process of influencing hospital space (see Figure 4.19:Example2)
(iii) An indicator for future spatial change.
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Medical delivery was investigated from 1600 onwards as 100% of events occurred
during this period (see Appendix D.11). Furthermore, it emerged that 80% of events
occurred after 1800. This strongly identifies an increased activity in changes to medical
delivery. The evolution of British hospitals, discussed shortly in section 4.3.1,
experienced a similar revolution concurrently. Therefore, a link between medical
delivery and hospital space was suggested but it emerged that medical delivery relied
strongly on other factors to instigate spatial change. For example, political and social
pressure resulted in the 1879 Public Health Act. The outcome impacted upon delivery
when a new ambulance service was introduced. From this new method of
transportation, additional accommodation for nurses and drivers was introduced into
hospitals throughout the 1880s (see Appendix D.12). Equally, the effect of the 1946
NHS Act nationalised healthcare delivery but hospital space was not affected until the
1962 Hospital Plan was introduced. On this basis, the status of medical delivery’s
relationship with hospital space is:
(i) ‘Stage 3’ in configuring hospital space (see Figure 4.10: Example 3)
(ii) Not a direct driver of hospital space.
Figure 4.10 Relationship flow diagram B: Analysis of medical delivery and processes.
Statistical data revealed 33.3% of medical process events occurred in both 8.8% and
17% of the analysed timeframe (see Appendix D.13). This quantitative finding is not as
significant as two other important issues revealed: (i) the consistent on-going revolution
trend between segregated and non-segregated care; (ii) medical processes’ close linkage
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with configuring hospital space. Process, as a design influence, was identified as a step
in the later stages of changing hospital space. For example, in the 1800s, new medical
knowledge was disseminated amongst medical students who became doctors in
numerous specialist areas (see Figure 4.10:Example 4). However, no departmental
segregation took place until physicians revoked the status of specialist care within
British public hospitals. Once admitted, the spatial outcome of segregation was
departmentalisation. This significant event pinpoints the beginning of complex
contemporary hospital medical planning. As a result, it was determined that medical
processes are:
(i) ‘Stage 4’ in the process of influencing hospital space
(ii) A direct driver of, and strong indicator to, future hospital spatial change.
A relationship flow diagram was created from all section findings (see Figure 4.11).
Medical knowledge and delivery are identified as indirect drivers while medical practice
and processes as directly influencing hospital space. Based on a five-stage process of
spatial change, the following inter-relationships between medical influences were
determined as underpinning a significant medical planning principle:
New medical knowledge is a precursor for radical change which, as a result of
interconnected relationships, its coming into existence revolutionises the delivery of
medical care. Thereafter, changes to delivering care affect medical practice and
processes. The latter two medical influences are the design factors that diretly
impact on hospital space.
To contextually place this principle, a new generation of medical knowledge was
instigated by Feynman’s revolutionary 1959 speech. R&D has since created new
medical knowledge and concepts for delivering care through the dissemination of
scientific information (Stages 1-3). Three events have occurred in this thesis’ five-stage
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process of spatial change. At present, available information is limited concerning future
medical practice and processes (Stage 4). This is a major problem for medical planners
who need to plan now for spatial change to allow for, what this thesis believes is, an
incoming major spatial revolution (Stage 5).
Figure 4.11 Medical influence flow: General and Fenyman scenario/example.
Total number of
Period of time No. of events % of events
events (400BC-date)
Post-1600(17% of
14 21 66.6
time)
Post-1800(8.8% of
10 21 47.6
time)
Table 4.5 Table of post-1600 /1800 findings: Number of events and ratios.
Stages
Medical
Driving effects of hospital spatial change to
Influence
change
Renaissance to Industrial revolution developments,
4.2.1 Knowledge European institutions, teaching hospitals, 20th century 3
developments.
Major transformation occurs after a change in
4.2.2 Practice 1
medical practice.
Legislation and organisation - introduction of
4.2.3 Delivery ambulance service & acute services, the NHS, 2
technological change.
Segregated care - Baths of Caracalla, 18th century
4.2.4 Processes military design, Hotel Dieu’s ‘hospital’. 1
Table 4.6 Table of medical influence findings: Driving effects of hospital spatial
change.
In conclusion of this medical section, numerous events emerge as instrumental to
revolutionising British hospital space. Based upon tabled findings in Appendix D.14-6,
a combined analysis of medical design influences is listed in Tables 4.5-6. The activity
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of medical influences is quantified in Table 4.5 where almost half of events have
occurred since 1800. Driving effects of spatial change are listed in Table 4.6 where
many have progressed only since 1600. Chapter 5’s exploration of medical technology
explores why changes have escalated over the last two centuries. Meanwhile, on the
basis of section findings, only post-1600 architectural events are considered in the next
section.
4.3 Architectural influences: Post-16th century
This section’s historical exploration of hospital space is taken from the perspective of
architecture as a design factor. Five significant periods concerning post-16th century
hospitals trace the development of hospital space to its current and present status.
4.3.1 16th–20th century hospitals: The source of revolutionary hospital designs
This first historical period contains four significant events (see Figure 4.14). These are
the architectural milestones leading to the NHS’s inauguration.
The first event was the English Reformation which changed the course of hospital space
directly by obliterating the continuation of ecclesiastical typologies across the British
architectural landscape. Thereafter, public healthcare was transferred to hospitals where
medical practice was administered predominantly in antiquated rented townhouses14.
This second event witnessed many hospitals open in non-customised accommodation.
These include the Royal Marsden, Charing Cross Hospital and St. Mary’s, Paddington.
While adapting to non-clinical spaces, the influx of increased patient numbers directly
influenced hospital space by forcing hospitals to move regularly to larger rented
14
Doctors would open a hospital by renting out houses with money donated to their funds.
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premises (Barry & Carruthers, 2005:105-123). This finding identifies the absence of
British public hospital typologies between the 16th-19th centuries.
Third, although forward thinking existed amongst 18th century military hospital
designers, it wasn’t until Florence Nightingale published her Notes on Nursing (1859)
that clinical functionality took precedent in British public hospital design15
(Nightingale, 1969:12-24). Why this hadn’t occurred earlier leans more towards weak
financial circumstances and a lack of construction rather than theoretical ignorance. For
example, Nightingale, John Roberton and George Godwin all encouraged the use of a
pavilion styled typology, particularly upon the 1790s Hotel Dieu, Paris16 17 (Richardson,
1998:5-6). The pavilion typology was adopted into UK hospital design once finance
became available. Exemplars include the Blackburn Infirmary (1858-65) and St.
Thomas’, London (1871) (see Figure 4.12). The medical planning of this revolutionary
typology was driven conceptually by the ‘miasmatic’ theory, even though this theory
had been medically refuted during the 1840s (Richardson, 1998:3). Nevertheless,
Nightingale underpinned St. Thomas’ design with miasmatic ideologies, founding its
pavilion typology upon a distinct set of architectural principles. These included a
response to separation, fresh air and cross ventilation, sunlight, greenery and new
nursing methodologies which characteristically respond architecturally to the nature of
human well-being (Richardson, 1998:7). As Dr. Nick Black describes of 19th century
pavilion typologies:
New hospitals therefore featured large windows, good ventilation more space for
each bed, balconies, separate ward blocks, and sanitary facilities (Black, 2005:1395).
15
Sourced from observations from nursing soldiers during the Crimean war, Nightingale encouraged the
hospital environment to contain access to good ventilation, sun and hygiene.
16
John Roberton, a Manchester surgeon, presented a paper to the Manchester Statistical Society (1856)
while George Godwin, editor of the weekly architectural journal The Builder, was reknowned for
‘extolling the virtues of the Continental pavilion plan’ (Richardson, 1998:5-6).
17
French revolution stopped this hospital from being rebuilt in the late 1790s. Plans were done by
Architect Bernard Poyet (1742-1829).
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The medical planning of St. Thomas’ directly reflected late-19th century medical
practice and delivery. The design consisted mainly of ward areas now known as
Nightingale Wards. Spatially, each ward consisted of a large open space with 15 beds
on either side that overlooked exterior gardens in response to what Nightingale referred
to as ‘patient fancies’. The design allowed for cross-flow ventilation and good visibility
between staff and patients. Nightingale’s architectural intent was to bring ‘variety of
form and brilliancy of colour in the objects presented to patients’ (Nightingale,
1969:59). This hospital design model became a dominant template for British
sanatoriums, until the mid-20th century when healthcare evolved radically as well as
rapidly (see Appendix D.17).
Figure 4.12 Left: Plan of Hotel Dieu, 1790s (Richardson, 1998:6). Centre/Right:
Perspective and ward plans of St.Thomas’, 1871 (Barry & Carruthers, 2005:43).
Medical planning arrangements are recorded as being basic for the few 19th century
British hospitals.
Internal arrangements of hospitals were subject to periodic alterations, the uses of

rooms changing as demands on hospital accommodation varied....the ward, had no
strict form or size until the second half of the 19th century, as opinion shifted between
a preference for them to be large or small...there was a need for other patient areas,
such as operating theatres, as well as administrative offices and staff accommodation
(Richardson, 1998:4).
Historian Harriet Richardson’s account of 19th century hospital space arrangements is
significantly crucial to this thesis. While not classified as an event or revolution,
evidence pinpoints a stage when, over a century ago, hospitals practised spatial
flexibility in accordance with functional demand. This is the ultimate goal for present
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hospital medical planning solutions. The parameters that have led to recent spatial
complexities are discussed shortly to inform designers of the core principles needed for
designing future flexibility.
Architectural
Government Legislation
Legislation passed responses to
type description
legislation
Local health boards All new buildings to
1866 Sanitation Act Conservative became responsible have closed water
for clean water closets
All citizens to be Reduced clinical
1853 Compulsory
Conservative vaccinated against area for treating
Vaccination Act
smallpox smallpox
1875 Public Health Running water and New hospital
Conservative
Acts internal sewers annexes
New ambulances
1897 Public Health Added area near to
Conservative transferred contagious
Act clinical admissions
patients to hospital
Table 4.7 Thesis architectural analyses of Public Health Acts (1850-1900).
Figure 4.13 Analysis of spatial influences: Introduction of piped water on typology

design, perspective and plan of UCLH (highlighted in red).
The fourth event is a conflation of architectural developments. One influence involves
government legislation delivered in the form of public healthcare acts. For example, the
outcome of the 1866 Sanitation Act influenced hospital space directly by introducing
water closets (WCs) into hospital buildings. Other legislative examples, listed in Table
4.7 and Appendix D.18-9, highlight the implications of their outcomes upon the
evolution of hospital space. Another post-1850s architectural development emerged in
the form of new construction methods. In the 1880s, installed piped water introduced
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washrooms into hospitals for the first time. All wet areas were located to the exterior of
buildings from an inability to run piped services internally. This coincided with new
knowledge concerning infection control, such as, the practice of hand-washing. The
outcome formed annexes to hospital typologies which distinguish this short period of
hospital design distinctly until architectural services were revolutionised and became
internalised in the 1900s (see Figure 4.13).
Figure 4.14 Architectural findings: List of events and revolutions (C16th-20th).
While these events are considered minor in comparison to 20th century developments,
16th-20th century architectural events significantly identify that:
(i) Pre-NHS hospitals were predominantly pavilion styled typologies
(ii) Medical theology and planning were beginning to revolutionise hospital design
(iii) Emerging architectural technologies were impacting upon design
(iv) The Nightingale Ward/pavilion typology is the second spatial revolution in
medical planning history after the Baths of Caracalla (see Appendix D.6).
4.3.2 Early-20th century hospitals
The 20th century is by far the most active of all eras from a historical perspective of
hospital space. This section unravels early-20th century architectural revolutions.
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(i) 1900-1950: Modern era of hospital design
Early-20th century hospital design was ‘driven by a handful of European sanatoria’
based on palliative care remaining dominant, as discussed in Chapter 2’s examination of
Paimio’s sanatorium (Willis, 2002:46). Derived from the pavilion typology, the thesis
considers the sanatorium typology model to be the third revolution in British medical
planning history (see Appendix D.20). However, while effective for their time, veranda
styled solutions became inappropriate for delivering 20th century healthcare quickly.
Revolutions in bacteriology and pharmacology resulted in contagious diseases no longer
prevailing that resulted in population growth and mass urban development which
pressurised hospital resources and space immensely (Watkin, 1978:4-11). Infection
control became precedent whereby physicians disregarded the necessity for pavilion
typologies (Hughes, 2000:24-9). By 1940, enormous pavilion footprints had become
spatially inefficient and operationally uneconomical. Affordable efficient hospital
design became prominent in the face of soaring financial costs (Wagenaar, 2006:31-2).
Spatial problems were aggravated further by the then expansion of urban fabrics where
most large hospitals had been located normally. Land costs escalated as demand for
available urban space intensified. Hospital designers were forced to revisit hospital
medical planning models. Research into theoretical concepts was intent on achieving
affordable hospital design solutions. Theories, still relevant today, included economies
of scale, core v flexible space as well as long life v adaptable hospital design strategies.
The outcome of research resulted in new design elements which included double loaded
corridors, alternative bed numbers and private spaces, of which, all were supported by
new lift technology that reduced travel distances.
The continued division of medical functionality resulted in the emergence of new
specialist departments which included Radiography and A&E. By the 1940s, palliative
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care was replaced by a high-tech surgical practice supported by new medical
technologies discussed in section 5.2. In response to an ever evolving medical practice,
a new medical planning formula was created which ‘to the great credit of those involved
in the design-construction process, the major needs to this type of accommodation’ were
met between 1945-1970 (Thompson, 1983:69).
Simultaneously, an architectural revolution emerged with novel and modern forms that
filtered through to hospital design to replace the sanatorium typology. Through
improved construction methods of mass produced steel and glass, the institutionalised
authority of the medical profession was embedded in monolithic mega hospital forms
(Richardson, 1998:11; Miller & Swensson, 2002:39). Medical professionalism and
efficiency was embodied in the creation of new high-rise tower hospitals through off-
site manufacturing and rapid on-site assembly (Monk, 2004:10). This ‘matchbox-on-a-
muffin’ typology consists conceptually of a vertical ward block on top of horizontal
podium of D&T departments (see Figure 4.20). Examples of this medical planning
model include the Royal Free, Guy’s and Charing Cross hospitals (New London
Architecture, 2005:61). The ‘matchbox-on-a-muffin’ typology is identified as the fourth
medical planning revolution in medical planning history. A multitude of varieties,
including the K type (Diaconessenhuis Hospital, Netherlands, 1965), deviated from this
new vertical model. Derivatives are detailed in Cor Wagenaar’s The Architecture of
Hospitals but one variation is of interest here. Ironically, the T model, is typified by Le
Corbusier’s Ospedale Civile. This typology is categorised as a ‘matchbox-on-a-muffin’
typology based on its medical planning arrangement rather than its architectural form
(see section 2.1.3).
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Figure 4.15 Left: ‘Matchbox-on-a-muffin’ typology, Guy’s Hospital, London (James &
Noakes, 1994:71). Right: Author’s conceptual sketch.
Post-1910 developments in architectural services were responsible equally for
revolutionising hospital design. The necessity for sanitary annexes was eliminated as
piped water became embedded internally (Richardson, 1998:11). Other service
improvements include the invention of mechanical air conditioning, ventilation and
fluorescent lighting (Nield, 2003:14). The outcome created a ‘deep-space planning’
model which was inspired by American multi-storeyed hospitals (Richardson, 1998:37).
This fifth medical planning revolution consisted of a compact medical planning model
that altered the principles of hospital design profoundly by centralising services to
minimise long corridors. As Richardson described, ‘wards and services were more fully
integrated into one vertical building’ (Richardson, 1998:37). To create this huge leap in
medical planning, access to daylight and external environments became eliminated as
clinical functionality became superior to human experience. Negative repercussions
were experienced as functionalism was designed to its very utmost. The quality of
architecture and wellbeing of its human occupants were affected disastrously (Ulrich,
1984:420-1). Many 20th century hospitals were formed upon the ‘deep-spaced plan’
model. Contemporary hospital design encourages a shift away from this formula to
reach, as Aalto argues, a human approach to design.
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(ii) Technology’s influence on hospitals
20th century technology progression bypassed all previous periods’ achievements. New
construction and engineering methods allowed for innovative architectural forms. Novel
materials assisted with developing new clinical environments. Similarly, healthcare
experienced numerous technology revolutions during this century. With simultaneous
evolutions in medical technology and hospital medical planning, the thesis raises the
possibility of deeply embedded inter-connections. Chapter 5 explores this relationship
to confirm technology’s role in influencing the configuration of hospital space.
(iii) NHS hospitals: Inherited estates
Stated in the Hospital Surveys report (Ministry of Health (MOH), 1941), 20th century
hospitals had not kept pace with medical and demographic changes (Willcocks,
1967:22). Watkin describes the NHS as:
2,800 hospitals…vested in the minister on 5 July 1948, 45 per cent were originally
built before 1891 and 21 per cent before 1861 (Watkin, 1978:56).
Therefore, the status of medical functionality within NHS hospitals in 1948 consisted of
21% of hospitals functioning in century-old non-customised buildings. More than half
needed complete renovations for new technologies, plumbing as well as heating. During
the 20 year period prior the 1962 Hospital Plan, the solution for new technologies was
the ‘make-do & mend’ refurbishment programme (Noakes, 1982:118). However, the
deterioration of spatial problems proliferated after the NHS’s inauguration, when
specialists’ hospitals amalgamated with general hospitals to gain access to expensive
medical equipment (Barry & Carruthers, 2005:184-5). The spatial organisation of
medical practice became fortified by territorial specialist consultants18. The outcome
increased departmental numbers adding to the complexity of medical planning. This
18
Introduced authority over the continual existence of their ‘own’ hospitals which, in continuing today,
causes many spatial design problems.
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critical event maps when NHS hospitals became intricately divided but spatial
representation was not palpable until new NHS hospitals were built in the 1960s.
One spatial event took place in response to the 1939 EMS Act. During WWII, over
50,000 temporary beds in prefabs were constructed on existing hospital sites
(Richardson, 1998:41). Many became permanent fixtures. Some still functioned until
recently in atrocious conditions (Pembury Hospital, Kent, 2007). By 1956, the state of
NHS hospitals was established in a Committee of Enquiry report. Its chairman, Claude
Guillebaud, concluded wisely:
More money was needed to build new hospitals, as the profession was trying to
practise 20th-century medicine in 19th-century buildings (Barry & Carruthers,
2005:370).
Eventually, finance was arranged to reconstruct hospitals through the 1962 Hospital
Plan but hopefully is not a repeated situation for future 21st century hospitals.
Figure 4.16 Architectural findings: Early-20th century events and revolutions.
In summarising early-20th century hospital design, six events and four revolutions were
recorded during this very short historical era (2%) (see Figure 4.16). From changes in
architectural form to the growth in medical planning complexities, these spatial events
laid the foundations for late-20th century medical planning evolutions.
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4.3.3 British Hospital Design Research (HDR)
Prior the 1960s, where few NHS hospitals were built, theoretical exploration took
precedence to hospital construction. Founded upon American design research,
numerous groups are accredited with developing post-WWII British hospital design
models. These include LD architects, Medical Architecture Research Unit (MARU),
Nuffield Trust and the Hospital Buildings Division (HBD) at the MOH (Monk,
2004:10). These scholars were responsible for studying topical HDR subjects, such as,
the effects of high v low rise buildings, racetrack v peripheral wards, interstitial service
floors and automated supply systems (Francis et. al., 1999:7). As a result, HDR
influenced the creation of British hospital design criterion and medical planning models
employed between 1960-2000. Numerous hospital prototypes were constructed to test
HDR principles. For example, findings from research conducted upon OPD and A&E
departments at the Walton Hospital, Liverpool (1961) were incorporated into the NHS’s
Greenwich Hospital design in 1969 (Noakes, 1982:119). The extent of British HDR can
only be mentioned here but research outside of this study is recommended (see Table
4.8).
1. Studies in the function and design of hospitals (Bristol University/Nuffield Trust, 1955)
2. Nuffield Ward model (see Appendix D.21).
3. Creation of HBN documentation (MOH, 1961).
4. ‘Hospital Street’ (Weeks at LD architects)
Table 4.8 List of revolutionary British HDR events.
In Chapter 2, Weeks and Le Corbusier were identified as hospital design researchers. At
the MOH, HDR was being conducted specifically for NHS hospitals. Under Enoch
Powell’s 1962 Hospital Plan19, 233 new and upgraded NHS hospitals were proposed
but ‘without any previous experience of such a novel task’ budgets were miscalculated
19
In The 1962 Hospital Plan for England and Wales, £500M was allocated for the building and
modernisation of 90 new hospitals by 1971 (Watkin, 1978:60).
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completely (Francis et. al., 1999:29). As a result, Powell’s hospital building programme
was halted while a cost-reducing design solution was found. The MOH sought
inspiration from two precedents; the works of Gordon Friesen and Powell & Moya
architects.
Friesen’s noted ‘Automated Hospital’ rationalised hospital functionality conceptually.
He proposed:
In an age of mechanization, logic dictates that some of the production methods of

industry should be applied to certain areas of the hospital (Friesen, 1961:7-9).
Searching for cost-effective solutions, MOH architects observed the following of
Friesen’s principles:
Removing the maximum number of functions from the ward to remote, centralized
departments where their work could be easily surveyed, controlled and rendered
more efficient (Hughes, 2000:39).
Alternatively, Powell & Moya architects offered theoretical innovation where three of
their hospital projects - Swindon (1959), Wexham Park (1966) and High Wycombe
(1966) - represent some of the NHS’s first ‘matchbox-on-a-muffin’ type typologies (see
Appendix D.22-4). At Swindon, ‘this pioneering hospital set the standard...for the
expansion of the health care building programme’ while Wexham Park was
conceptually controversial with its radical version of the ‘matchbox-on-a-muffin’
typology (Monk, 2004:55). Wexham’s unique philosophy was formed upon the
principle that functionality including wards were ‘all on one level, no stairs, no ramps,
no lifts’ (Powell, 1966:123). Therefore, Wexham’s medical planning strategy locates all
accommodation at ground-floor; theoretically quickening travel distances and creating
flexibility for future expansion (Hughes, 2000:41). Additionally, Powell & Moya
incorporated Weeks’ ‘hospital street’ concept where the hospital’s communications
spine linked all departments together (Smyth et. al., 2006:4). However, Wexham’s
horizontal site-specific typology was not easily transferable upon which an alternative
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medical planning solution had to be created for High Wycombe’s restrictive urban site.
Here, the medical planning strategy divided the building into three zones. Conceptually,
the strategic medical planning areas were: Wards; D&T; services.
Collectively, these precedents offered the MOH a variety of conceptual solutions which
assisted with the production of a new MOH hospital design model. Based upon HBN
documentation, this PGH600 typology consisted of a central core of departments
surrounded by peripheral wards. This model was first realised at the Greenwich DGH in
1969 (Smyth et. al., 2006:3). This 800 bed urban hospital of low-rise rectilinear form
was pierced with courtyards to allow daylight within deep-space planning areas. The
MOH’s utilisation of space revolutionised medical planning at the time by minimizing
travel distances associated with hospital running costs. For example, Greenwich’s OTs,
ICU and surgical beds were all located adjacent on the same floor which was a
revolutionary approach to strategic medical planning for its time (James & Noakes,
1994:18). The Greenwich DGH was equally revolutionary regarding its services
component which was heavily influenced by Friesen’s Automated Hospital:
The new NHS hospital was not just to be modern, but more meritocratic, mechanized
and efficient (Hughes, 2000:41).
The MOH introduced a ‘universal space’ of ‘interstitial spaces’ between each floor
where internal services could be accessed flexibly without disturbing clinical
functionality. This concept continued to be developed by the MOH for many years.
These features represent post-WII NHS medical planning concepts (Spring, 1979:55).
Each identified HDR event was found to be revolutionary (see Figure 4.17-8). Hence,
this study emphasises the significance of ongoing HDR within medical planning
practice.
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EVENTS FLOW OF EVENTS
Figure 4.17 HDR findings: List of events. Figure 4.18 Analysis of relationships:
20th century HDR events.
4.3.4 Typological outcomes of British HDR (1960s-2000)
1970s hospital design was driven by numerous HDR. Topics included cost efficiencies,
low energy buildings, indeterminate architecture and 1960s mega hospitals.
Additionally, 1980-90s hospitals were influenced by post-modernist, high-tech design
where the atrium became a new prominent feature in the form and organisation of
hospitals. ‘Design and build’ (D&B) competitions introduced a new cost effective
delivery methodology in response to what had become high-tech, expensive hospital
buildings (Monk, 2004:13). From this background, three generations of hospital
typologies were produced from MOH HDR - now renamed the Department of Health
and Social Services (DHSS). Each typology is an evolution of the former and
chronologically known as: Best-Buy, Harness and Nucleus models. Their concepts and
outcomes are outlined to expose the positives and weaknesses associated with late-20th
century NHS medical planning strategies. This knowledge is critical to understanding
the context surrounding why so many NHS hospitals needed replacing by 2000.
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(i) Best-Buy Typology (1960s-70s)
The Bonham Carter Report20 (1969) proposed the need for additional NHS hospital
beds. The DHSS argued against this policy advocating the necessity for alternative
solutions to avoid financial crises. Policies that would ‘shorten length of stay, increase
throughput and reduce established ratios of beds per 1,000 population’ greatly interested
the DHSS (Moss, 1978:12). This proposal was driven by 1960s hospitals which had
‘left a sickening legacy of high building costs’ (Spring, 1979:54). For example,
Northwick Park was a revolutionary model but its delivery was managed inadequately.
Subsequently, Weeks’ model was classified as economically and spatially expensive at
the time. Therefore, the DHSS took inspiration from their own Greenwich DGH for the
creation of a Best-Buy hospital model (Francis et. al., 1999:30). A Mark I model was
designed consciously as a two-three storey building to allow for a low-energy strategy
that utilised natural light and ventilation. This model contrasted greatly with the then
popular vertical hospital typology by centralising all departments to either side of ‘the
hospital street’ with peripheral wards surrounding (Smyth et. al., 2006:3).
Of interest to this study are two medical planning principles underpinning the Best-Buy
typology. The first driver was the minimisation of cost which was approached by a
twofold briefing strategy: (i) reduced SOA; (ii) universal usage of briefed hospital
spaces.
Best-Buy hospitals provide a dramatic example of increased space utilisation with a

resultant saving in space provision (Moss, 1978:11).
This utilisation theory was novel for NHS hospital design. For the first time, clinicians’
spatial territory was challenged against usability and occupancy rates. Unfortunately,
this concept was overextended and weakened by reduced SOA areas. Functionality
20
The Bonham Carter Report (1969) stated that more hospital beds were needed. In 1971, the DOH
advised the government against this policy and not to create anymore beds for reasons of cost
implications. While the new government wanted larger hospitals, projects were already on site and
therefore could not be changed (Watkin, 1978:66-8).
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became impossible, which resulted in a spatially more generous Mark II design model
(Watkin, 1978:66). Costs were rationalised further by a unique services supply strategy.
The design introduced ‘an intermediate level, with ramps up and down to the two
hospital floors’ to shorten staff travel distances (Noakes, 1982:123). The second driver
was a standardisation policy introduced to reduce costs. A strategy of ‘simple
construction methods’ was flawed as it was incompatible with existing hospital
buildings which was weakened further by the model’s suitability for open flat sites only
(Francis et. al., 1999:31). This restricted the Best-Buy typology’s transferability onto
dense urban sites. This fault was never addressed fully as only two Best-Buy hospitals
were completed at Frimley and Bury St. Edmunds21 (1974) (see Appendix D.25-7).
Both hospitals were designed identically and delivered through standardised fast-track
building programmes on green open sites in a bid to decrease design and construction
costs (Millman, 2009). Unfortunately, 1960s HDR had not anticipated for the mid-
1970’s radical escalation in capital costs. The Best-Buy solution was deemed
unaffordable forcing the DHSS to revisit their hospital design model.
(ii) Harness typology (1970s)
A systems approach HDR was adopted to develop the NHS’s Harness typology. This
was a more flexible and economical option from the previous Best-Buy model. The
Harness typology consisted of:
A synthesis of the best current ideas in hospital policies, planning, building

technology, environmental services design and dimensional co-ordination (Francis
et. al., 1999:34).
The Harness’s medical planning strategy is strictly based upon a 15.6 meters (m) grid of
horizontal deep-space planning arrangement with a 4.5m floor to ceiling height. The
building was minimised to four storeys in height where all services were uniformly
21
Bury St Edmunds included the use of electric tugs, wide corridors, ramps and standard treatment
rooms.
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located along the main circulation or ‘harness zone’. From here, all departments linked
together with gardens in-between for access to natural daylight (Francis et. al.,
1999:34). The Harness also included the first sterilisation and Ear, Nose and Throat
(ENT) units which map another historical medical planning development. Two
principles directed this typology, of which, both are important to this study’s concerns.
The first principle was flexibility through standardisation which was introduced in
response to the Best-Buy’s failed solution. However, architectural delivery was not
executed to the achievements of Aalto’s Paimio Sanatorium. Standardisation was
incorporated through a variety of DHSS systems22 and only based ‘at department level’
which allowed for architectural adaptability and variety of exterior form (Francis et. al.,
1999:31-3; Pearce, 1978:18). The second and foremost principle was that the Harness
model was to be economically efficient. Savings were not achieved in the light of a
prosperous economic era. Lessons learnt from Best-Buy spatial reductions redirected
areas to be enlarged considerably. Unsurprisingly, the outcome increased both capital
and running costs but the scheme’s full height ramp did result in the building being
completed several months before schedule. This financial success was a feature
delivered through medical planning design (Noakes, 1982:126).
The Harness model existed during a short lived economic boom which lasted until the
1973 oil crisis. The number of Harness projects was slashed from seventy to two which
include Southlands and East Birmingham hospitals (see Appendix D.28). Action to
reduce building scopes was tested through a smaller version of the Harness model but
finance was still unavailable to deliver a nationwide rebuilding programme. Meanwhile,
inflation soared increasingly which resulted in poor architectural finishes and high
22
DHSS systems included CUBITH, ADB and others (Francis et. al., 1999:31-3).
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maintenance bills for both Harness projects. More HDR was conducted by the DHSS to
address ongoing NHS financial shortages.
(iii) Nucleus (1970s–90s)
With the NHS’s reorganisation (1974-5) and hospital rebuilding programme on hold,
minister Lord David Owen (1974-7) was appointed to tackle the arduous task of
rebuilding Britain’s DGHs (Watkin, 1978:58-70). Driven by an unconventional
perspective, that sought the ‘best use of the space permitted’, the reconstruction of NHS
estates progressed forward with the DHSS’s latest Nucleus model (Francis et. al.,
1999:38). The delivery of desperately needed hospitals became a reality between 1981
and 1990. Approximately 130 Nucleus schemes across Britain were realised. ‘Smaller
than the mega-hospitals of the 60s’, the Nucleus hospital was designed to respond to
growth and change (Christopher, 1982:14). Commencing as a 300-bed solution, the
template was capable of expanding to a 600 or 900 bed facility in staggered stages of
development (see Figure 4.19-20). Conceptually, this hybrid model is a horizontal
typology formed of a ‘hospital street’. Standard departments branch out in 15.6m
squares of buildings and courtyards (Noakes, 1982:128). This deep-space planning
model consisted of integrated services and racetrack wards and was established upon
three similar driving principles as previous DHSS models. A detailed exploration of
each area is beyond this study’s limits. Here, the significance is to identify the principle
factors underpinning recent NHS hospital space invalidity.
The first principle was the NHS’s approach to standardisation which included
standardised systems, such as, HBN guidance. Taking on board lessons-learnt from the
failings of the Harness typology, the DHSS was warned not to standardise the Nucleus
model too rigidly. Consequently, no standards were imposed for the design of building
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structures or external cladding systems (Pearce, 1978:19).
Figure 4.19 Left: Nucleus Model 2: Departmental location for Health Records and
Office Accommodation. Right: Description of notional design solutions (DOH, 1992).
Figure 4.20 Example of DOH Nucleus study packs (1992).
The second principle was the ever-increasing pressure for the economisation of hospital
buildings. The brief given to the DHSS was explicit; ‘buildings were to be cheap to
build and run’ (Pearce, 1978:19).
Low-cost small-phase designs were wanted, ‘Best buy’ cost £10m and was inflexible
of plan; Harness was too big and costly. But both projects offered data for new
designs (Pearce, 1978:18).
In response to stringent demands, a Nucleus model was produced to provide a cheaper
option than a Harness typology (Building Design, 1979:6). The Nucleus design focused
on low energy policies with the best example was represented at St. Mary’s Hospital,
Isle of Wight (IOW) (see Appendix D.29). 50% of their energy running costs were
reduced from the outcome of HDR. A second area of savings was produced by
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employing a D&B process. This was achieved by reducing programme times
throughout a whole project’s design and delivery process (Monk, 2004:13).
The third factor was the approach to spatial reduction which dominated hospital design
for over twenty years. From a medical planners’ perspective, this approach was critical
to the spatial failure of Nucleus hospitals. Initially all spaces were ‘pared down to 20
per cent below’ HBN guidance (Pearce, 1978:19). This flawed strategy caused drastic
repercussions for clinical functionality within all Nucleus hospitals. This spatial policy
was weakened by a novel methodology that reduced space ‘by planning all departments
to fit within the standard template’ for £6 million per department (Francis et. al.,
1999:36). The outcome created a rigid template that standardised all departments into a
cruciform shape of 1,000-1,100sqm approximately (Monk, 2004:12). Plans, elevations
and engineering grids were created from NHS data packs where grid dimensions for a
Nucleus template were fixed: 16.2 meters (m) x 16.2m; sub grid of 8.1m x 5.4m. Tested
and established to comply with the size of a fire compartment, these measurements also
catered for natural daylight and critical dimensions for certain high-tech rooms at that
time (Francis et. al., 1999:37). Additionally:
The length of the cruciform is deliberately the length of an old standard Nightingale
ward so that Nucleus units can be fitted piecemeal into hospitals whose old wards are
gradually demolished (Christopher, 1982:14).
When combined these templates created a further spatial reduction as ‘the horizontal
linking up to self-contained compartments is designed to require minimum movement’
of staff and goods throughout the hospital (Pearce, 1978:19).
The Nucleus typology achieved its then financial goal but its success was unsustainable.
No long-term spatial solutions or strategies to maintain cheap building materiality were
incorporated. This study identifies these approaches as central to the failure of the
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Nucleus model and reinforces the importance of flexible design solutions for hospitals.
Three important trends identify why so many Nucleus hospitals needed rebuilding after
such a short interval:
(i) Inappropriate adoption of standardisation in medical planning creates rigid and
inflexible hospitals
(ii) Spatial reduction compromises functionality
(iii) Employment of cheap, low-grade materials is economically unsustainable.
The thesis recognises these trends as critical medical planning lessons.
EVENTS FLOW OF EVENTS
Figure 4.21 Analysis of findings: Figure 4.22 Diagram of analysed

British HDR events. HDR outcomes.
To summarise, the innovativeness of DHSS prototypes would not have been achieved
without essential HDR (see Figure 4.21-2). Concepts of flexibility, economies of scale
and standardisation were all critical design factors included in late-20th century NHS
hospital design. In general, Nucleus hospitals were the most significant with regards to
the legacy of hospitals that PFI replaced. However, the attributes from all DHSS models
are of beneficial use to future medical planning solutions.
4.3.5 Post 1990s: PFI
Social healthcare had developed into an expensive high-tech service by the 1990s. In a
desperate bid to raise equity, strategies to resolve the situation included the sale of NHS
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estates and the regrettable dismantlement of the DHSS’s HDR unit (Francis et. al.,
1999:9). By 1997, 50% of NHS estates were recorded as pre-dating 1948. In response, a
new capital investment programme (Hospital Plan 2000) was put in place to rectify the
issue. By 2008, £29 billion had been spent on new PFI NHS hospital construction
(DOH, 2007:1-3). In the face of financial efficiency, the government adopted a ‘larger
but fewer acute hospitals’ building strategy which was driven by:
Staffing issues (reduced working hours, new training needs, explicit job descriptions,
etc), a reduced need for beds, and a belief in economies of scale (Black, 2005:1396).
As a result, a new wave of hospitals emerged with the first mega PFI hospital completed
at the Norfolk & Norwich Hospital (1999). However, while the opportunity for a new
hospital design model was available, this event did not appear for the following reason.
In the NHS there is no coherent research agenda or programme of research studies at

present. This confirms a substantial break in what was an established approach
(Francis et. al., 1999:25).
As a result, the PFI programme was undertaken without appropriate HDR.
Consequently, early PFI hospitals were designed to 20th century paradigms of which
many replicated the Nucleus model. Hence, experts’ concern for PFI hospitals are
sourced upon the reusing of a hospital design model that ultimately failed spatially.
In contrast to the DHSS’s standardised design models, the medical planning of later PFI
hospitals consists of an eclectic array of models designed by multiple private
architectural practices. For example, the Nucleus type solution was incorporated at
Oxford Radcliffe (2006) and Norfolk & Norwich (1999) hospitals while the ‘matchbox-
on-a-muffin’ type typology was employed at UCLH (2006) and Pembury Acute (2010)
hospitals (see Appendix D.30-3). Internally, medical planning has responded to a
plethora of new healthcare developments created through high-tech medicine, such as,
PET/MRI imaging and keyhole surgery. Collectively, new technologies and associated
services have been delivered through improved IT, digital media and locally used
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computers that transformed the administration of complex acute healthcare. For
example, the reduction in patient overnight stays (POS) is linked directly to the growth
in minimal invasive techniques. In fact, since the 1990s, day cases have accounted for
80% of operations (Black, 2005:1395). These medical changes have altered the
proportion of hospital briefed areas which, in turn, have driven the variety in creating
hospital forms. Contextually, NHS hospital design is driven by numerous design
factors. Four examples typify the influences pertaining to PFI NHS hospital design.
The first factor is consistently central to the construction of all new hospital buildings.
This influence is the availability of capital investment to deliver expensive public
healthcare facilities. The post-1990 situation was resolved through a PFI solution, as a
new national hospital-rebuilding programme could not have been undertaken without an
alternative source of investment. Consisting of private sector companies, where
consortia had access to substantial financing, the PFI process established contractors as
the regulators of standardising architectural quality. Many faults and negative
repercussions have resulted from aggressive financial decisions. These include the use
of poor quality finishes, similarly incorporated in Nucleus hospitals, to maximise
profits. From my perspective as a medical planner, the main concern is the strict
adherence to HBN room areas. Consortia have focused on spatial minimisation instead
of long-term medical planning benefits.
Second, the PFI system of FM has restructured hospital functionality. This includes
‘nursing, cleaning, portering, supplies, catering, and maintenance’ (Black, 2005:1395).
Due to staff reorganisation, the complexity of transferring goods has increased in PFI
hospitals which adds extra flows to an already busy management operation and hospital
building. This modification to FM not only alters medical planning strategies. It
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increasingly adds area to hospital buildings in a sporadic and costly manner. For
example, the use of automated guided vehicle (AGV) technology for portering goods
across hospitals requires extra space for movement and storage in clinical areas where
cost per sqm is greater.
The third influence is British healthcare policy that continues to focus on reducing NHS
bed numbers but an additional patient-focused policy has become central to NHS
delivery. Currently, the DOH aspires to 50-100% single en-suite bedrooms in all wards.
However, this falls short of the 2002 review’s recommendation that 75 per cent of
beds in new hospitals should be in single en-suite rooms (Wanless, 2007:117).
Historically, the architectural composition of wards has been a dominant typology
driver. Recently, the design of wards has had to evolve in response to DOH legislation.
Shape, size and configuration of bedrooms is no longer standardised architecturally
which has offered opportunities for architectural differentiation amongst PFI hospital
buildings. However, this beneficial change came with medical planning difficulties,
such as, the inconsistency of grid structures between floors. The outcome drives major
planning difficulties particularly in lower high-tech floors.
The fourth influence is infection control which has regained its prominence as a hospital
design driver. This influence is driven by the rise in nosocomical deaths which became
a major NHS problem. Currently, every opportunity is taken to design out medical
errors and environmentally induced illnesses, particularly in configuring the 1:50 layout
of single patient bedrooms. The clinical effects of ‘infection-control’ design have been
the focus of much recent British HDR based upon American EBD which evolved from
the works of Roger Ulrich (Ulrich, 1984: 420-1). While not a focus of this study, in-
patient design research is evolving NHS hospital space. As previously alluded,
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complexities are being added to the medical planning of hospitals as ward designs
change.
By 2010, the Hospital Plan 2000 was nearing completion but the products of PFI are
looked upon with disfavour.
The Future Healthcare Network expressed concern that hospital design is following
current healthcare demands too closely and not allowing any flexibility. The life
cycle of the current model of healthcare supplied by PFI hospitals is estimated at
about five years, while the average life span of the hospitals themselves is about 30
years (Gates, 2005:7).
On this basis, the thesis predicts PFI hospitals will not fulfil their contracted term
functionally. How they will cope with future developments should be the focus of POE
and new HDR. To summarise, the thesis identifies PFI hospitals as:
(i) Area driven hospitals, too restrictive for future flexible spatial planning
(ii) A missed opportunity to create a 21st century medical planning model
(iii) Possibly unsustainable as non-durable materials may have been procured.
These findings inform the existing status of NHS hospital space.
4.3.6 Analysis of architectural influences
In addition to mapping the development of post-16th century hospitals, four key issues
are responsible for the current state of NHS hospital space.
First, finance dominates as an external driver of hospital design consistently. This
influence impacts on two levels: the number and size of hospitals; the quality of
buildings themselves. This was strongly identified in the DHSS’s 1960s-70s medical
planning models where financial crises decimated the national hospital-rebuilding
programme. Similarly, a lack of investment during Henry VIII’s reign left hospital
development void for many centuries until, to the credit of voluntary hospital
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management, fund-raising accumulated enough capital to build numerous London
hospitals. Regarding 20th century hospital development, many public health acts were
passed to assist with the building of healthcare facilities. Two significant acts in 1962
and 2000 revolutionised the spatial status of NHS hospitals (see Appendix D.34). The
vital component concurrent between both acts was state injected financial investment. In
continuing the 1980s trend to rebuild within 20 years, a new NHS building agenda
should be scheduled to commence by 2020. If this is a possible scenario, then now is the
time to prepare and research for the next generation of NHS urban acute hospitals.
The second issue regards standardisation which was designed to its utmost in post-
WWII hospitals. Most examples were far from Aalto’s vision of ‘flexibility’ and
variety’ that avoided ‘the dull and monotonous use of reduplicated forms’ (Pearson,
1978:150). As standardisation became a driving principle in late-20th century hospital
design, ironically, NHS hospitals ‘during the 1960s and ‘70s were to one off designs’
(Smith, 1984:1513). This outcome was driven by uncontrollable economic forces and a
constant demand for cheaper hospitals. Unfortunately, rigid and inflexible medical
planning models were often created. For example, both Harness and Nucleus templates
became void after spatial dimensions increased in response to medical technology
changes. In addition, standardisation disallowed for site-specific hospitals in earlier
DHSS models. In fact, standardisation was so inflexible that design models failed to
accommodate for restrictive urban sites. Inflexibility was a fundamental difference
between the Ospedale Civile and the Nucleus typology. While Le Corbusier created a
flexible and co-extensive architecture, this standardised principle for spatial growth was
not incorporated into any NHS Nucleus hospitals. Having wisely learnt this lesson, the
standardisation of typologies was not as restricted in PFI hospitals but other areas of
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flexibility, such as, removable panels for expansion, may not have been suitably applied
to respond to change.
The third issue is the unsustainable employment of cheap, low-grade materials. The
thesis acknowledges this strategy is a short-term capital solution that ignores life-cycle
building costs. Evidently, this flawed strategy was proven by the rebuilding of most
Nucleus hospitals under PFI. Similarly, this fault underpins PFI contractual structures
where architects’ decisions are undermined. As a result, PFI hospitals have been
produced with non-resilient substandard finishes which was highlighted as a problem
throughout the PFI process. Architects felt they became ‘passive servants of a
procurement process over which they have no control’ (Maxwell, 1996:11). In response,
the NHS reconfigured design conditions within PFI contracts but the thesis questions if
PFI hospitals will compare to longevity of 19th century hospitals. For example, clinical
functionality may no longer exist in 19th century hospitals but the materiality of
exteriors and finishes (glazed-tiled walls) remains predominantly intact. As a result,
these durable buildings are often re-furbished and remain functional as flexible space
within a hospital’s masterplan. Therefore, in sharing architect John Cole’s argument of
‘long life, loose fit, low energy’, a principle of quality architecture is central to a
hospital’s sustainable longevity (Cole, 2006:357).
The fourth issue is compromised functionality which resulted from spatial reductions.
This was driven by consortia decision makers ‘reluctant to invest in a dubious future’
regarding built hospital space (Howard, 1972:255). Initial reactions are always to reduce
cost by reducing area proportionally, based on a simple arithmetic of cost/sqm.
However, from an experienced medical planners’ experience, this naive approach does
not automatically benefit a Trust’s budgets as running costs far outstrip the capital
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investment of constructing hospital space (see Appendix D.35). This strategy, first
introduced to reduce expensive pavilion typologies, has plagued NHS hospital design
since 1948. For example, the use of HBN guidance to create spaces in the then Nucleus
model did not cater for future spatial expansion, never mind its drastic policy that
reduced all areas by 20%. PFI is guilty similarly where each space is microscopically
scrutinised to decimal points of a square meter which leaves no flexibility for future
spatial change. However, based on recent technology developments, PFI did incorporate
one foresight; the addition of area to certain rooms but mainly large high-tech rooms.
This approach would seem justifiable in the light of recent equipment size increases.
However, if the nature of future technology is based upon ‘nanomedicine’, was spatial
increase an appropriate medical planning solution? Considering that space is always of a
premium cost, has PFI oversized hospital spaces? This issue is explored in Chapter 7’s
discussion.
Collectively, nine medical planning post-1600revolutions were recorded. Notably, 80%
of identified events have occurred since 1800 (see Table 4.9-10). Therefore, the thesis
determines the origins of contemporary hospital design to date from 1800. This
correlates with Richardson’s argument that specialist ‘hospital architects’ emerged at
this time in response to an ‘increasing complexity of hospital planning’ (Richardson,
1998:11). The outcome produced a portfolio of 19th century pavilion typologies that
were influenced by ‘miasmatic’ theories, Nightingale Wards and new architectural
technologies. The NHS inherited this spatial legacy from which 20th century NHS
hospital design evolved. New dimensions to contemporary hospital design emerged in
due course from progressions in architectural services, departmental segregation, deep-
space planning and vertical typologies. Under the influence of HDR, and architects,
such as, Powell & Moya, the MOH and John Weeks, emerged new late-20th century
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medical planning models. By 2010, the paradigms of 20th century hospital design
remain as current medical planning practice as no revolutions took place during the
recent PFI process. To summarise, important architectural trends are determined as:
(i) Pre-1800 hospital typologies are not of concern to this study’s technology concern
(ii) Short-term financial solutions undermine the sustainability of building life-spans
(iii) Spatial reduction should not compromise clinical functionality
(iv) Standardisation should be of the ‘flexibility and variety’ sort.
Architectural Driving effects of architectural

Hospital example
period influences
Nightingale Ward, pavilion St. Thomas’, London
4.3.1 C16th-20th
typology, services
C20th modern architecture, new Guy’s Hospital,
services, matchbox -on-a-muffin, Braintree Sanatorium
4.3.2 1900-50 deep-space planning, specialist
hospitals amalgamate with NHS
hospitals
Studies in the function and design of Wexham, Greenwich
hospitals, Nuffield Ward model,
4.3.3 British HDR
HBN documents, ‘Hospital Street’,
Powell & Moya, MOH
Southends, Frimley,
4.3.4 HDR results Best Buy, Harness, Nucleus
IOW
Money, contracts, healthcare UCLH, The Royal
4.3.5 PFI London
policies, no HDR
Table 4.9 Findings for architectural influences: Driving effects on hospital space.
Total
Period of No. of % of
no. of British Medical planning revolutions
time events events
events
Post-1600
22 26 84.6 1. Royal & Voluntary hospitals
(17%)
1. Nightingale’s Ward/ Pavilion
2. Sanatorium
3. Matchbox-on-a-muffin
4. Deep-space planning
Post-1800 5. NHS & specialists hospitals amalgamated
21 26 80.8
(8.8%) 6. Nuffield Ward
7. Hospital Street
8. Nucleus/horizontal typology
9. PFI hospitals
Table 4.10 Table of analysed post-1600 &1800 architectural events and revolutions.
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4.4 Chapter analysis
This chapter has mapped the historical events that have revolutionised hospital space
since 1600 through the exploration of three hospital design influences (organisation,
medical, architectural). An analysis of events is quantified in Table 4.11 which
determined the post-1800 period as the most appropriate for exploring technology’s
relationship with hospital space.
Influence Events Revolutions Arch influence
Organisational 2 2 - Not dominant

Knowledge &
Not dominant
Medical 23 5 delivery
Practice & Process Dominant x 2
Architectural 10 5 - Dominant
Total 35 12 - Dominant x 3
Table 4.11 Analysis of chapter influences (400BC-2012): Quantified list of events and
revolutions (see Appendix D.36-7).
While the NHS service is responsible for managing 108,113 general and acute beds
(2005-6), it emerged that the NHS organisation does not directly affect hospital space
(Wanless et. al., 2007:119). Hence, this influence has been discounted for the remainder
of the study’s research. Alternatively, from four medical influences, it emerged: a
change in medical knowledge and delivery were ‘instigators’ of spatial change; changes
to medical practice and processes are strong ‘indicators’ of spatial change. Furthermore,
architectural influences were shown to affect hospital space and medical planning
directly. Created through HDR, NHS hospital designers sought inspiration from
architectural theories, such as, Aalto’s standardisation methods and Weeks’
indeterminate architecture. These conceptual precedents impacted on NHS hospital
space but it was Le Corbusier’s alternative medical planning solution that influenced the
more numerously built Nucleus NHS hospitals. However, DHSS models failed to
deliver sustainable and flexible solutions, ignoring that hospital buildings ‘need to have
inbuilt potential for growth and change’ (Weeks, 1963-4:85). From findings, the thesis
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advocates; hospitals must be underpinned with flexible design solutions for future
spatial unknowns.
A summary of important chapter findings includes: a mapped evolution of past and
present hospital space; a set of key trends responsible for the current state of hospitals;
changes to medical practice and processes are identified as strong indicators of future
spatial change; HDR is central to creating responsive medical planning models; the
failure of Nucleus hospitals was sourced from the use of cheap materials and dramatic
spatial reductions that became inadaptable and inflexible to future change. From this
chapter’s findings, parameters for researching technology’s impact on hospital space
have been established. Achieving this thesis objective is further examined in the next
chapter’s exploration.
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Chapter 5: Technology’s relationship with hospital space
“The only way of discovering the limits of the possible is to venture a little way past
them into the impossible”
Arthur C. Clark
Chapter 5
5.0 Introduction
Chapter 5 continues with Part II’s exploration of confirming technology’s relationship
with hospital space. Furthermore, this chapter participates towards achieving the thesis’
second objective which is to identify medical technology’s role in driving hospital
medical planning. Both aims are achieved by presenting post-1800 technological
revolutions and the examination of medical technology development within British
hospitals. Medical technology as a hospital design influence is explored explicitly in
this chapter. Explorations are divided into two periods: pre- and post-electrification.
This is based on the pivotal event when consumable electrical energy1 became available
(c.1895) which transformed medical technologies, hospitals as well as the medical
industry. The chapter begins with brief descriptions and spatial analyses of individual
pre-electrical medical technologies. This is followed by a critique of pre-1895 findings
which reveal medical technology’s implications on 19th century hospital space.
Thereafter, the same examination is conducted from a post-1900 perspective.
Subsequently, an analysis of 20th century medical technology implications upon hospital
space is discussed. The chapter closes by confirming the existence of a relationship
between hospital space and medical technology. Findings also indicate that medical
technology is a key driver of medical planning.
Medical equipment within this chapter is viewed from two spatial perspectives: as
individual pieces; within a functional process. Analyses are informed by literature and
photographic evidence, as secondary data is limited. Quantitative measurements are
interpreted through current NHS HBN data. All chapter calculations are drawn from a
standard set of calculated areas (see Appendix E.1). Areas for circulation space are not
included within calculations.
1
By the late 1870s, London’s streets had electric lighting, the common light bulb was invented for
consumer use (1878) and London Underground was starting to use electricity.
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5.1 Pre-electrification technology
Healthcare delivery in the early-1800s was based upon Galenic medical practice.
Procedures included cupping, bleeding and surgical procedures of ‘amputations, cutting
for stone, opening abscesses and cataract’ (Barry & Carruthers, 2005:136). Minimal use
of technology is recorded in both 19th century medical practice and hospitals. Five pre-
electrical events emerge as revolutionary in developing pre-1895 medical technologies
and hospital space
5.1.1 Growth of microscopy (post-1800s)
Since its invention (1600s), microscopy has played a strategic role in developing
medical knowledge which, as a medical design influence, was identified as a main
instigator of spatial change in section 4.2.1. Testing this principle with respect to
microscopy, it is revealed that microscopy was a powerful tool in pioneering 19th
century bacteriological, haematological and biochemical discoveries which increased
clinical science procedures significantly (see Appendix E.3-5). A scattering of small
laboratory spaces resulted in response to these scientific developments, as identified in
the 1853 ground floor plan of St. Thomas’ (see Appendix E.6). Unified laboratories did
not exist at this time as Foster & Pinniger argue:
The beginnings of a clinical laboratory came into existence at St. Bartholomew’s

Hospital about 1893 (Foster & Pinniger, 1963:339).
In cohesively arranging microscopic functionality, this event pinpoints a twofold
revolution of medical planning significance.
The first revolution was the unification of hospital scientific functionality. This strategy
was driven by new medical planning thinking that organised medical equipment
centrally. The aim of this policy was to maximise the effective use of expensive
microscopic equipment through the adjacent placement of multiple disciplines, for
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example, clinical chemistry and medical microscopy. Consequently, this grouping of
medical equipment had wider spatial implications. The necessity for designated
functional space led to the formation of a new Pathology department. This second
revolution created a spatial entity that added a new dynamic to hospital medical
planning. More importantly, a new principle for effectively using medical technologies
was delivered through space. Combined both revolutions map a critical development in
medical planning history. The origins of a new relationship between hospital space and
medical technology were initiated through the efficacy of equipment, staff and utilised
shared hospital space.
Left: Figure 5.1 Dr. Henry Fisher examining specimens in the Pathology Lab, c.1890s.
Right: Figure 5.1a Spatial analysis of Figure 5.1.
Sample 1: Data is extracted from photographic evidence depicted in Figure 5.1 to
quantify how microscope use impacted on 19th century hospital space. Typical spatial
requirements for operating microscopic technology are shown visually within a
Pathology laboratory circa.1890s. Individually, a single microscope (0.019sqm) is not
spatially demanding but requires additional functional area to deliver pathological
procedures (see Figure 5.1a). Based upon HBN standards, the total functional area for
the activities depicted is 400 times greater the size of a microscope (see Appendix E.7-
11). Hence, this section reveals microscope equipment impacted on the creation of 19th
century hospital spaces which led to the formation of a new Pathology hospital
department.
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5.1.2 Development of vaccinations (1796)
The discovery of the smallpox vaccination was a direct outcome from microscope
equipment. This significant new treatment used medical technology as a tool to deliver
improved public health (Richardson, 1998:3). The clinical success of this
microbiological procedure is proven by its continued practice and positive anticipations
for future medical biotechnologies (see Chapter 7).
Left: Figure 5.2 Edward Jenner administers a vaccine using a syringe (1796).
Sample 2: Administrating a vaccine requires minimal technology or high-tech medical
space (see Figures 5.2-2a). However, based on the size of a syringe (0.00108sqm) and
its calculated functional area, this medical equipment drives the creation of functional
space by 3963 times its equipment size (see Appendix E.12-4). In this case, a wider
spatial implication was generated through the large numbers of 19th century patients
needing vaccination2. The result, therefore, of introducing vaccinations and syringe
medical equipment was a need to increase 19th century hospital space substantially. For
example, extra space in OPD was required for waiting and treatment areas while
medical physicians and nurses needed more offices for general administration. As
Richardson records:
Out-patients rose steadily in the first half of the 19th century, and new hospitals
generally included extensive out-patient departments, while older establishments
found it necessary to build new ones. The Bristol General Hospital, for example,…in
1856-7,… included an out-patients’ department large enough to accommodate over
300 people (Richardson, 1998:27).
2
Smallpox vaccination was discovered in 1796 and was given official sanction in the Vaccination Act
1853 where all infants were to be vaccinated.
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This contrasts radically with St. Bartholomew’s record of ‘45 out-patients weekly’ in
1750 (Barry & Carruthers, 2005:51). The comparison between evidence uncovers the
spatial growth of OPD between the 1750s-1850s. Additionally, extra Pathology space
would have been needed to cater for the increased production of vial as well as storage
for vaccines, syringes and cleaning facilities.
An apparent and relevant trend emerges in analysing the history of syringe technology;
medical technology development influences a change in medical practice. Insight into
medical technology’s role in driving hospital spatial change is provided supporting
Chapter 4’s finding that evolving medical practice affects hospital space directly,
5.1.3 Patient observation and the stethoscope (1816)
The invention of the stethoscope signifies a turning point in the role and practice of
physicians. More critically, the use of stethoscopes maps the source of the new ‘clinical
gaze’ medical practice. Prior this revolution, minimal technology was used in delivering
Galenic care.
The doctor’s job was mainly to manage the patient’s condition – generally with some
pretty ineffectual drugs washed down with a hefty gulp of the placebo effect (Porter,
2006:83).
The stethoscope revolutionised this practice by introducing patient physical
examination. This first ‘true’ medical technology overturned classical humorism by
shifting the treatment of individual patients to a clinical analysis of disease (Sanders,
2005:8; Foucault, 1963:107-8.). The spatial outcome from a change-in-practice was
identified in Chapter 4 as twofold: large teaching hospitals were established; hospitals
increased in size (see section 4.2.1). Additional hospital area consisted of increased
ward sizes to accommodate for the growth in student rounds while newly introduced
surgical observation required new dedicated OT rooms. Overall, the increase in room
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areas expanded the size of 19th century hospitals which was reflected spatially in late-
1800s large pavilion type hospital typologies.
Left: Figure 5.3 Image portraying Laennec using the first stethoscope.
Sample 3: A stethoscope is a small hand-held mobile instrument which requires no
fixed spatial requirements. However, this piece of medical equipment deeply impacted
on 19th century hospital space. For example, a stethoscope size is estimated as
0.0038sqm. In comparison, its functional area of 11.04sqm is 2905 times greater its
equipment size (see Figures 5.3-3a; Appendix E.15-7). This data is for one stethoscope
only and a minute proportion of the quantity used within hospitals. Examples of its
spatial impact include: new OPD examination spaces; new spaces for emerging roles,
such as, physician’s offices; larger and more Wards for increased patient observation.
Built examples include St. Thomas’ new ward wings in the 1830s and 1840s and the
new OPD building at St. Bartholomew’s, 1841 (Richardson, 1998:6; Barry &
Carruthers, 2005:52). More significantly, the thesis identifies an important medical
planning trend relevant to medical ETs where smaller and mobile technologies are
forecast; small mobile pieces of medical equipment have wide implications upon
hospital space.
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5.1.4 Use of anaesthesia and sterilisation (post-1840s)
Surgical practice had benefited from two important events by the 1880s. The first
occurrence was Lister’s 1867 introduction of antiseptics into surgery (Barry &
Carruthers, 2005:140). Infection control standards were raised through a scientific
understanding of sterilisation that assisted surgeons against the great enemies of
bacteria, post-operative sepsis and septicaemia. The second event was the discovery of
anaesthesia3 (1846/1880s), which in combating pain thresholds, revolutionised surgical
practice from one of amputation to invasive exploration4 (Cottineau et. al., 1998:135;
Porter, 2006:196-202). The outcome revolutionised surgical practice and the
fundamental role of the hospital. Surgery was catapulted to the centre of the healthcare
system which remains currently:
Without surgery, or at least without a battery of invasive treatments, the hospital

would lose its unique place in the medical system (Porter, 2006:176).
The spatial response was a growth in surgical areas and a profound reorganisation of
hospital medical planning (see section 5.1.5).
Left: Figure 5.4 First operation performed under ether anaesthesia (1846).
Sample 4: The dimensions for anaesthetic equipment (1890) are recorded as 5” x 1.25”
(Wulfing-Luer, 1897). This equates spatially to an area of 0.0077sqm. As a utensil used
3
Inhalation anaesthesia (1844) and local anaesthesia (1860). Intravenous anaesthesia not used until
(1932) (Cottineau et. al., 1998:Abstract).
4
Anaesthesia allowed more surgical procedures to occur but deaths from surgery remained high until the
C20th.
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for surgical procedures, the functional area for anaesthetic equipment was calculated to
be 2362 times larger its equipment size (see Figures 5.4-4a; Appendix E.18-20).
Notably, this study acknowledges this spatial impact was not driven by anaesthetic
equipment independently. Space for numerous spectators was also driving the size of
OTs at this time. Still, anaesthetic equipment was the factor generating hospital space
for the delivery and observation of operations rather than an outcome of surgical
practice, which the presence of students represented. Anaesthetic equipment was also
responsible for creating pre- and post-patient recovery spaces and support areas, such
as, offices and changing rooms for theatre personnel. Wider spatial implications were
experienced throughout numerous hospital departments: additional OPD areas were
created to cater for surgical patients’ appointments; extra surgical wards for increased
patient numbers. Generally, the outcome from anaesthetic technology use was increased
hospital GBA but the spatial impact was incomparable to its medical planning
significance, detailed next.
5.1.5 Surgical investigations and new medical knowledge
Prior to1800, surgeons only treated diseased flesh. For example, tumours, fractures and
gangrene were administered through ointments, bandaging, cleansing and pus removal.
The scope of internal operative surgery they undertook was narrow, because they
were well aware of the risks: trauma, blood loss, and sepsis (Porter, 2006:190).
Consequently, pre-19th century surgical practice required no specific spatial
requirements and was undertaken predominantly ‘on the kitchen table, on the field of
battle, or below on deck on the warship’ (Porter, 2006:176). Evidently this explains the
non-existence of surgical spaces in pre-1800 hospitals but no specific data documents
the introduction of surgical practice into hospitals. What literature does expose is the
long-standing existence of hospital mortuaries which spatially expanded due to
increased functional demands by the 19th century. Therefore, the thesis suggests that the
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progression from post-mortems to operations emerged from the flexible use of
numerous adjacent dissecting teaching rooms. Eventually surgical procedures grew in
volumes to justify the necessity for their own OT room. This spatial entity is
represented in the hospital plans of St. Bartholomew’s (1791,1841) and UCLH (1841)
where new OTs were located adjacent to medical school dissection rooms (see
Appendix E.21-2).
While new trauma knowledge was gained from the perils of 18th century wars, the
development of surgical practice remained in its infancy until the 1860s:
Before 1800 surgical operations are restricted to a minimum...In Glasgow in its first
three years there were only three operations in 960 admissions (Barry & Carruthers,
2005:60, 135).
Three important events revolutionised 19th century surgical practice. The first event was
the discovery of anaesthesia and sterilisation as mentioned in the previous section. The
second revolution was new medical knowledge and its ability to catalyse surgical
innovation. Sourced from a boom in printed medical literature, such as the Journal de
Chirurgie (1791) and The Lancet (1823) surgical periodicals, the outcome increased the
dissection of corpses resulting in the revolutionary 1858 publication of Gray's Anatomy:
Descriptive and Surgical Theory (Gray's Anatomy)5 (Steiner & Phillips, 1993:1). The
third event was the development and standardisation of surgical technology. Originally,
Barber-Surgeons’ (pre-17456) instruments resembled butcher shop tools consisting of
cauterising irons, knives and amputation saws (Porter, 2006:190). Equipment was
designed by practitioners and manufactured by blacksmiths, silversmiths and cutlers
(Williams, 1978:1318). These non-fixed pieces of equipment were carried in cases by
surgeons’ personal ‘box carriers’ (see Appendix E.24). As documented at St.
Bartholomew’s Hospital, a box carrier ‘would carry his instruments, clean the theatre
5
Gray’s Anatomy is a classic English-language human anatomy textbook. The first edition contained 750
pages with 363 illustrations (see Appendix E.23).
6
In 1745, The Company of Surgeons split from the barbers (Porter, 2006:194).
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and prepare dressings’ until ‘1821 when each surgeon would appoint his own resident
house surgeons’ (Barry & Carruthers, 2005:51). Later in the 19th century, surgical
brochures offered poor technical information.
The practitioner who desires information relative to any particular surgical

instrument or appliance,...is soon lost in a maze of unsatisfactory and confusing
suggestions. Accurate descriptions are few, differentiations of patterns are almost
unknown...which convey no information other than the name and price (Truax,
1899:7)
The outcome produced unstandardised sets of surgical equipment which led to fatal
errors when surgical practice entered mainstream hospital care. These tools represent
surgical ‘technology’ until the 1860s when equipment became standardised through
improved manufacturing7 (Williams, 1978:1317). The outcome of superior instruments
initiated the beginning of contemporary surgical practice by allowing for increased and
much improved surgical procedures.
Sample 5: Spatial requirements for surgical technology circa.1895 are depicted in
Figures 5.5-5a. Measuring a typical surgical equipment set to be 0.111sqm, 170 times
more functional area was required for this collection of mobile surgical equipment (see
Appendix E.25-6). Whilst this area is small, the wider impact is of far greater
importance here. Five spatial trends are identified as impacting on hospital space. The
first trend results from new medical roles that emerged from novel surgical methods.
Functional space was created to cater for new staff, such as, theatre nurses’ offices and
resident house surgeons’ washrooms. The second trend introduced pre- and post-
surgical areas in response to improved surgical practice while a third trend was the
addition of OPD areas generated by extra consulting rooms for increased surgical
patient visits. The fourth trend implicated on wards in two ways: additional beds;
7
As surgery developed around a procedure and not the Surgeon, standardised equipment was introduced.
Before Charles Truax standardised the manufacture of instruments (US), every piece of equipment was
different. This allowed for huge and fatal medical errors. Aseptic instruments were made from old
materials, such as, ivory, bone and wood. It wasn’t until WWII that the use of plastics and disposals were
introduced (Williams, 1978:1320).
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separate surgical wards to reduce cross-infection between medical and post-surgical
patients. The fifth trend resulted from the increased demands in support services. As a
result, Pathology, Pharmacy and Laundry all needed additional functional space.
Left: Figure 5.5 OT at the Metropolitan Hospital, London (1896).

Important medical planning implications emerged in response to changing surgical
processes and the growing multitude of additional and new surgically related spaces.
Firstly, a new defined OT department was formed circa.1895. This new spatial entity
revolutionised medical planning on two levels: added a large amount of high-tech space
to the higher levels of hospitals; increased overall hospital GBA. Secondly, a shift in the
existing medical planning model resulted from replacing ward areas with clinical
activities to the top floor of hospital buildings. In doing so, complex medical planning
relationships were introduced through the addition and rearrangement of staff, goods
and patient routes. This outcome highlights the medical planning implications that can
arise from changes to surgical practice. Thirdly, an important new relationship
developed post-1850 whereby surgery and hospitals were ‘destined to become utterly
interdependent’ (Porter, 2006:176). As surgical practice evolved to become central to
hospital care, this transformation was manifested physically in the new and prominent
location of surgical spaces. From the perspective of a medical planner, a rational
decision to locate theatre rooms at roof level is justified as it receives the best north-
facing daylight required for conducting surgery (Richardson, 1998:10). However, an
alternative and deeper reason is underpinned by the newly elevated powers of surgeons.
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Without this hierarchy, the thesis believes surgeons’ opinions would have been ignored
despite the logical benefits. Therefore, far from the ‘kitchen tables’ of 18th century
surgery, pre-20th century surgical events emerged to revolutionise the role, function and
spatial organisation of British hospitals.
5.1.6 Analysis of pre-electrical technology
This section mapped the development of pre-electrical medical technologies in hospitals
(see Figure 5.6). A collective spatial analysis completes this section’s exploration.
Figure 5.6 List of revolutionary pre-electrical technology events (1600s-1895).
The section opened by examining microscope use in hospitals. Its importance was found
to be fundamental in establishing a core medical planning strategy; specialist
functionalities were co-located to organise hospital procedures effectively by
maximising the utilisation of expensive medical equipment. More significantly, this
solution revealed that this novel approach to medical technology was delivered through
the organisation and multifunctional use of hospital space. This finding establishes the
initiation of an important inter-relationship between medical technology and hospital
space.
Syringe and stethoscope technologies were shown to increase space in a twofold
manner. The first way generated area directly from introducing new medical equipment.
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The second manner added space indirectly through technology’s ability to transform
medical practice. The variety in spatial impact ranged between: small units of increased
equipment area; completely new and large teaching hospital facilities. Therefore, while
both pieces of equipment were small, their wider impact was significant as non-fixed
pieces of medical technology and raises two important medical planning trends: (i) the
deep effect on hospital space from introducing small and mobile medical equipment; (ii)
medical equipment mobility existed in 19th century hospitals.
The developments in surgical technology increased the number and variety of
procedures. Spaces were created to support new surgical activities which accumulated
to form the OT department. Wide spatial implications resulted but profound changes to
hospitals were also developing: surgical innovation was driving a fundamental shift in
hospital functionality. The embodiment of this new relationship between hospitals and
surgical practice was manifested through hospital space in the relocation of OT rooms.
This major revolution announced the arrival of contemporary hospital medical planning
by altering the principles of the then existing medical planning model.
From a quantitative perspective, the combined spatial impact of Samples 1-5 equated to
0.14258sqm for equipment area and 62.41sqm for functional equipment area (see
Appendix E.27). None of this space existed prior the introduction of these medical
technologies. On this basis, this study determines pre-electrical medical technology
increased 19th century hospital space. Additionally, a review of functional areas shows
that the impact of equipment ranged between 170 and 3963 times. Therefore, a standard
ratio for medical equipment’s impact on functional space proved inconclusive from this
study.
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Section findings are considered within Chapter 4’s medical influence ‘relationship flow
diagram’ to test medical technology’s influence within the process of configuring
hospital space. The outcome positioned medical technology as a Stage 3 factor in
changing hospital space but this diagram did not reflect medical technology’s complete
effect as a design influence (see Figures 5.7-8a). A more precise diagram was produced
from findings that positions medical technology as central to all stages of change (see
Figure 5.8a).
Left: Figure 5.7 Relationship flow diagram: Medical technology as a central driver of
developing medical influences. Top Right Figure 5.8: Relationship flow diagram A:
Analysis of pre-electrical medical technology. Lower Right: Figure 5.8a Relationship
flow diagram B: Updated analysis of Figure 5.8.
Impact of Medical
Sample Spatial and medical planning implications
Technology
1 Science New laboratory rooms. Pathology established
2 Public health Extra OPD, laboratories, non/clinical support areas
3 Medical practice Extra OPD, wards & non/clinical support areas
4 Surgical practice Extra OTs, OPD, wards & non/clinical areas
Surgical
All departments effected by growth of new and
5 knowledge
additional areas. OT established.
& practice
Table 5.1 List of implications from pre-electrical medical technology findings.
Generally, areas affected in 19th century hospitals included Wards, OT, OPD and
laboratories (see Table 5.1). This identifies the simple status of medical planning prior
to consumable electrification. The radical changes that have occurred to hospitals and
medical planning since this period are explored next in section 5.2.
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5.2 Post-electrification technology
As a key component of modern technology, consumable electricity was revolutionary.
The availability of electricity catapulted medicine into multiple dimensions. Six salient
trends are examined to understand the impact of electrical medical technologies on post-
1895 British hospital space.
5.2.1 Early-electrical years (1895-1950s)
This section maps the early years of electrical medical technologies. Three examples
represent the technology types used to treat prevalent diseases at that time.
(i) Electrotherapy
The therapeutic benefits of ‘electricity’ had been known for many centuries prior to
electrotherapeutics ascent into medical practice around the mid-19th century. Promoted
as benefiting numerous ailments, such as, ‘stomach ache, rheumatism, and neuralgia’,
the main use of electrotherapy was to instil muscle movement in the paralysed limbs of
tuberculosis (TB) patients (Connor & Pope, 1999:61-4) (see Appendix E.37). Numerous
accounts are recorded for the use of electrotherapies in hospitals. For example, the RLH
records the financial difficulty of facilitating a ‘new expensive electrical treatment’
circa.1800 (Barry & Carruthers, 2005:75). Furthermore, at the new Charing Cross
hospital (1823):
The top-floor attics housed medical baths, and later an electro-therapy unit offering
electrical muscle stimulation and continuous galvanic spasm (Barry & Carruthers,
2005:112).
By the late 1800s, the supply of electricity in batteries had evolved dramatically. This
development led to the creation of many small portable medical devices. In response,
galvanic specialities became practiced widely in hospitals until consumable electricity
was introduced (Connor & Pope, 1999:61; Aronowitz, 2007:905). Ironically, the
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installation of electricity was the demise of electrotherapy as the practice was
abandoned in favour of new ‘high-tech’ medical hierarchies; x-rays, surgical practice
and pharmaceuticals. Electrotherapy was revived later in the 20th century where it has
become a commonly used supporting device that uses ultrasound technologies for pain
control management.
An alternative electric development was the invention of the electrocardiograph (ECG)
machine (1911). Theoretically established by Galvani (1791), technological research
culminated in Einthoven and Lewis’s ECG machine that brought technology ‘to the
bedside and applied it to clinical medicine’ (Fisch, 2000:1739). By 1914, UCLH alone
operated twelve machines for research and routine clinical work (Barron, 1950:721).
Physically, the original floor-mounted ECG weighed 305kg. It required five personnel
to operate and had restrictive patient accessibility. For example, ‘long connecting wires
were run from the medical wards to the instrument’ (Barron, 1950:723). In one reported
case, the measurement was one mile – the distance between Addenbrooke’s Hospital
and its Pathology in Cambridge. This problem was rectified later when the ECG
machine was fitted with castors (1920s) but it was the technology developments in 1936
that transformed ECG equipment radically (see Appendix E.32). The ECG became a
13.6kg easily transportable medical device. This new flexible dimension to delivering
care can be accredited to the success of this mobile machine. Today, ECG technology
remains embedded in daily NHS medical practice where billions of pounds worth of
annual tests account for the necessity of ECG technology (Fisch, 2000:1737).
Sample 6: The Electrical Department (1910) at Great Ormond Street Hospital (GOSH)
bears witness to the spatial implications from performing electrical treatments, such as,
wax baths for impetigo and ringworm (Historic Hospital Admission Records Project
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(HHARP), 2010a). Three pieces of equipment are depicted in Figures 5.9-9a. A
galvanic bath and two treatment couches are located in one open space for staff and
spatial efficiencies. The area calculated for the Electrical Department’s equipment and
functionality was 25.59sqm of previously non-existent hospital space (see Appendix
E.28-9). Two important issues arise from data aside the addition of clinical space. The
first issue is the significant growth in medical equipment size. At 1.3sqm, this area is 46
times larger than any of Sample 1-5’s pre-electrical equipment. Therefore, it would
appear that the difference between pre- and early-electrical technology is increased
medical equipment size. This change was not a long-standing status as Figures 5.10-10a
depict electrotherapy equipment in its current size (0.22sqm). This is six times smaller
than the average equipment size in 1910. A second important issue to emerge was the
proportion of functional area was altered in response to equipment sizes changing. To
explain, Sample 6’s functional area (1910) was reduced to six times greater when its
equipment size increased. Alternatively, current electrotherapy equipment size is
smaller but its functional area is 35 times larger (see Appendix E.30-1). Hence, this
finding suggests that a relationship exists between changing medical technology sizes
and its associated hospital functional space.
Left: Figure 5.9 1st Electrical Department, GOSH.

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Left: Figure 5.10 Contemporary use of electrotherapy.

Sample 7: Figures 5.11-11a depict one of the first ECG machines. This image visually
shows the change in size between pre- and post-electrical medical equipment. At
0.9375sqm, this ECG machine is 34 times larger than any of the pre-electrical
equipment examined. On the other hand, Figures 5.12-12a depict a current mobile ECG
machine which is only 0.1702sqm. This latest model is 18% of the original 1912 ECG
equipment size (see Appendix E.32-6). Hence, evidence uncovers that ECG technology
progressed in a twofold manner: (i) equipment size reduced overtime; (ii) medical
equipment became mobile.
Left: Figure 5.11 Lewis’s ECG at UCL, Medical School (1912).

Left-middle: Figure 5.12 Contemporary ECG model and use of equipment.

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The broader implications of incorporating early-electrical appliances into 20th century
hospitals resulted in an increase of new spaces throughout OPD and support
departments. From a staffing perspective, newly introduced roles resulted in new
spaces, such as, electrotherapists’ and cardiologists’ patient examination rooms. These
clinical spaces were created for patients accessing a range of new electrotherapy
services. In response, larger OPD waiting areas were needed for those attending
specialists’ clinics as well as increased public conveniences for additional patients, staff
and visitors. Huge increases in documenting clinical activity demanded extra
administration staff and space. Most of these, designed as single cellular offices, were
located in OPDs. The demand for extra non-clinical services increased as medical
activity expanded. The outcome required more area for personnel, storage and
equipment while workshop spaces for equipment maintenance and storage were also
created. In many cases, the addition of new space was addressed through the
refurbishment of existing spaces. A fortunate few hospitals, such as the RLH’s OPD
(1900s), built extensions to cater for much needed new hospital space. Generally,
existing medical planning relationships were not required for changes at this time (see
Appendix F.7).
(ii) Finsen Red Light Treatment (FRLT)
During the 1890s, FRLT was developed by Nobel laureate Niels Finsen for the
dermatological treatment of smallpox and lupus vulgaris (see Appendix E.37). Previous
treatments had employed light spectrum theory to filter harmful violet rays through the
use of red coloured curtains or glass. Finsen replaced sunlight with distorted electrical
light to develop medical electrical lamps (Morner, 1903). The outcome of FRLT
equipment was so positive that 83% of Finsen’s patients were cured completely. Long-
term, FRLT treatment continued to be practised in hospitals until antibiotics eradicated
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both skin diseases in the late-1950s (Grzybowski & Pietrzak, 2012:454). This example
of early-electrical equipment not only maps an event in 20th century medical
technology, with respect to its short-lived lifespan, findings underpin one of many
reasons why hospital space evolves overtime.
Sample 8: Pictorial evidence from Figures 5.13-13a show that functional space at
ground floor level was still necessary to administer FRLT even though medical
equipment was ceiling mounted. The spatial area for three treated patients is calculated
as 31.33sqm. This is 139 times greater than the total of three FRLT equipment sizes
(0.226sqm) (see Appendix E.38-9). In addition, the delivery of FRLT would have
demanded extra functional spaces similar to those for ECG and electrotherapy
technologies but a unique significance of FRLT equipment is the technology’s transition
away from ground floor. This arrangement frees up staff clinical workspace around
couched patients and introduced a new spatial trend for late-20th century medical
planning which was incorporated in the medical equipment planning of OT rooms and
ICU bedrooms.
Left: Figure 5.13 FRLT room, RLH (1900).

(iii) Drinker Respirator
Poliomyelitis is an acute viral infectious disease that was epidemic in Britain in the
early 1900s (see Appendix E.40). Most infected patients were treated in custom-
designed sanatoriums until the 1930s. Access to fresh air and natural sunlight were
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dominant hospital design drivers in these hospitals. This model of care was overturned
in 1934 when the Drinker Respirator or ‘iron lung’ machine was imported from the US.
Invented by Philip Drinker and Louis Shaw (1929), the Drinker Respirator machine
treated poliomyelitis patients by allowing them to breathe artificially (Meyer,
1990:490). This machine, located at GOSH, was the only one of its kind for some time
but was available to other thoracic surgeons until the NHS invested in more equipment.
Eventually, a polio vaccine was developed (USA, 1955) and introduced into Britain
through a national immunisation programme (1958) that reduced the 6,000 poliomyelitis
cases per annum (UK, 1955) to 315 between 1993 and 2003 (Torgerson & Torgerson,
2009:67).
Left: Figure 5.14 Drinker Respirator, GOSH (1930s).

Left: Figure 5.15 Medical personnel tend to poliomyelitis patients (1950s).

Sample 9: The spatial implications of Drinker Respirator machines are depicted in
Figures 5.14-15a. Evidently, the chosen strategy for operating numerous machines was
to locate all equipment in one large open room. Quantitatively, this design was spatially
efficient as calculations reveal a single machine in one room requires 6 times more
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functional area while seven machines in one space only required 3.5 times more
functional area (see Appendix E.41-3). Of note, a low functional area rate was driven by
the patient-to-machine relationship. This outcome was produced by patients lying
within Drinker machines. In addition, extra spaces for ‘iron lung’ functionality typically
included spaces associated with OPD, clinical and non-clinical support services as
discussed in Sample 7.
Left: Figure 5.16 Treatment of patient in negative pressure ventilator (2000s). Right:
Figure 5.16a Spatial analysis of Figure 5.16.
Two interesting points emerge from the ‘iron lung’s historical examination. The first
point regards changing medical needs and the necessity for flexible hospital space. For
example, the functional lifespan of the ‘iron lung’ was approximately 20 years.
Therefore, spaces created for Drinker machines became obsolete by 1960. This finding
supports the argument that medical technology affects hospital space. In this case,
medical technology was responsible for driving the actual size of hospital rooms. The
second point is the ‘iron lung’s’ long-term growth in medical equipment size. After
1960, the ‘iron lung’ was developed into a negative pressure ventilator, increasing its
size to 3.2875sqm (see Figure 5.16-16a; Appendix E.44-5). This outcome offers an
alternative perspective on medical equipment progression but does not alter medical
technology’s status as influencing the configuration of hospital space.
(iv) Analysis of early-electrical years
The thesis recognises five key medical planning from this section’s analysis of early-
electrical medical technologies in early-20th century hospitals.

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The first trend is the addition of hospital space that resulted from new medical
technologies. New spatial areas ranged from OPD spaces to a whole new ‘Electrical
Department’. In quantifying the spatial impact of Samples 6-9, 3.77sqm of new hospital
space and 72.81sqm of extra functional area were generated originally. Both
measurements are for one unit only for each examined equipment. Therefore, these
areas only account for the smallest spatial impact from each piece of equipment when
they were introduced to function in a fully operational hospital.
The second trend concerns the ongoing change in medical equipment size which is
presented by comparing original and current Samples 6-9 equipment sizes (see
Appendix E.46). Of the equipment examined, 75% reduced its equipment size overtime:
electrotherapy equipment by 34%; ECG by 82%; FRLT by 100%. A constant between
all examined equipment is identified even though rates of change were determined as
variable; as medical technologies progress, equipment size changes. This study
emphasises the importance of this trend as a key component in driving the need for all
hospital space to be flexible.
Table 5.2 Thesis analysis: Changing medical demands and spatial impacts (1895-2012).
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The third trend is recognised as technology’s response to ongoing evolving medical
demands. Table 5.2 lists this section’s medical changes and their associated lifespan for
medical technologies. As a result, the spatial impact of expired medical services resulted
in obsolete space which further underpins the need for flexible hospital space.
The fourth trend is a medical planning strategy that creates large open spaces for
operating multiple medical technologies to maximise staffing efficiencies, patient
observation and teaching capabilities. This is no longer regular practice as a different
approach took precedence towards the late-20th century. Single-occupancy rooms have
been preferred for delivering patient privacy and dignity. This outcome generates costly
spatial, technological and staffing inefficiencies. Current medical planning strategies
evidently contrast with early-20th century policies for efficiencies which account for
current increasing healthcare running costs.
The fifth trend concerns consumable electricity and its medical planning implications.
The mobility of medical equipment was altered when energy became sourced from a
fixed architectural element. A new restrictive relationship was formed between space,
equipment and access to power. This is a critical event in hospital development and
remains as the existing current status. This relationship causes medical planning
difficulties but scope for its evolution is progressing with newly invented wireless
technologies and its increased use in hospitals.
Overall, section findings inform the study of early-electrical medical technology’s
relationship with and nature in driving hospital space formation. Three general trends
encompass the impact of introducing early-electrical technologies into hospitals: spatial
addition; new types of spaces; reconfiguration of existing spaces.
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5.2.2 Development of Radiology department
Since its accidental discovery (1895), x-ray technology has evolved radically to become
central to delivering contemporary medicine (Roentgen, 1896). From its early
beginnings, x-ray apparatus’ were marketed as a new wonder machine fueling the idea
that ‘x-rays would soon be a part of everyday life’ (Knight, 1986:14-6). Medical experts
rushed to publish their findings claiming access to thoughts and eternal youth while
curing blindness and later illnesses in the children x-rayed while still in their youth
(Knight, 1986:22-3). The medical impact was so profound, new Radiology departments
were established shortly afterwards. Further fields of Radiotherapy and Nuclear
Medicine (NM) were developed in researching the true mechanics of x-ray technology
(1920s). Each field contained their own specialist medical equipment, staff and hospital
spaces. The 1960s computer revolution radically developed x-ray technology:
The use of the computer to record, process, display and store diagnostic information
has been the most important development in diagnostic x-ray technology
(Hessenbruch, 2002:140).
Gradually, electronics ‘led to a cornucopia of cheap and highly efficient analytical
tools’ which included sonography (1955), CT (1973), ultrasound (US) (1979), MRI
(1980s) and PET (1990s) (Hessenbruch, 2002:137; Porter, 2006:208-9). CT technology
was responsible for revolutionising non-invasive imaging by piecing multiple x-ray data
together to scan internal organs. By the 1990s, CT technology had developed to allow
for blood supply imagery (Wesolowski & Lev, 2005:377). MRI and US technologies
were developed from this new concept in technology for the scanning of tissue, such as,
the brain and spinal cord. Further to this, 1990s imaging technology developments took
place in the form of 3-dimensional (3D) PET scanners. These machines were capable of
investigating biochemical processes of anatomical metabolism. This medical technology
caters for the prognoses of brain activity and tumours of stroke and epileptic patients
(Wesolowski & Lev, 2005:378). Currently, image speed and resolution has improved
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the performance of radiographic equipment greatly to where 64-slice CT, 1.5 telsa MRI
and US are now central to delivering NHS healthcare. Combined, all modalities have
improved clinical diagnoses dramatically, transforming medical practice and the nature
of hospitals into high-tech acute healthcare facilities.
The uptake of x-ray technology was almost instant throughout British hospitals. For
example, St. Thomas’ Electrical department records its use within one month of
Roentgen’s 1896 publication (Barry & Carruthers, 2005:44). By the 1920s, ‘high-tech’
medical equipment, its staff and expertise had been organised into a new spatial entity.
The new Radiology department included rooms ‘for therapy and diagnosis, the X-ray
equipment itself, a generating plant and darkroom’ (Richardson, 1998:11). The medical
planning impact was the addition of area to the lower section of hospitals. Existing NHS
estates were refitted during the ‘make-do-and-mend’ period to accommodate for new
radiology rooms (see section 4.3.2). By the late-1960s, the Radiology department had
shifted to become central to hospital care but previous events were bypassed by post-
1970s radical technology transformations. New radiology equipment, such as MRIs,
struggled to fit into many existing hospitals by being ‘elaborate, space-consuming
facilities’ (Miller & Swennson, 2002:134). A short-term solution was delivered through
mobile MRI scanners parked alongside hospitals with spatial inadequacies. However,
due to inflexible buildings and shortage of equipment financing, mobile x-ray
technologies remain practised commonly in numerous NHS acute hospitals.
Since the 1980s, two spatial trends in Radiology (renamed Imaging) emerged: (i)
mobile imaging bays; (ii) addition of a new ‘Satellite Imaging’ department. The first
spatial trend is driven by imaging technology’s new mobility which allows equipment
to be no longer restricted to within its department. Mobile scanners can now be operated
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anywhere in hospitals but require additional space for storage and manoeuvring around
patient beds or trolleys. The second trend is the recent addition of ‘Satellite Imaging’
next to A&E. This new development responds to the high proportion of hospital
admissions requiring necessary imaging services (Goldman, 2003:4). This new spatial
entity is pressurising an already busy and congested clinical area. For example, when a
recent PFI project introduced 220sqm of Satellite Imaging next to A&E8, the impact
created spatial and medical planning complexities to both the UAT floor and whole
hospital building.
The dynamics of radiography have been revolutionised since its discovery in 1895.
Technological progression has been responsible for shifting imaging services to its
current central position within the healthcare system. This is represented by Imaging’s
physical size, location and changing inter-departmental relationships as the department
evolves its functionality to become a medical treatment as well as a diagnostics service.
Sample 10: Figures 5.17-18a typify the early use of x-ray equipment (1900-50) and
spatially record a patient in a horizontal position with administrators operating an x-ray
machine. Quantitatively, the area of x-ray equipment is larger than most previously
explored medical technologies. For example, the equipment shown in Figures 5.17-17a
is 1.08sqm while forty years later, equipment size had doubled to 2.16sqm (see Figures
5.18-18a; Appendix E.47-50). To cater for larger x-ray equipment, hospital rooms had
to be increased in size. Therefore, the outcome of this investigation determines x-ray
technology is a direct driver of 20th century hospital space.
8
Royal Liverpool University Hospital PFI project, Competition Design Stage (2011).
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Left: Figure 5.17 1910, GOSH (X-Ray Department opened in 1902).

Right: Figure 5.17a Right: Spatial analysis of Figure 5.17
Left: Figure 5.18 1 million volt x-ray machine at The Barts (1950).
Sample 11: From 1950 onwards, Imaging rooms increased in number, type and size
(see Figures 5.19-22a). For example, CT equipment required not only its own room but
additional control rooms (5sqm) for computers (see Appendix E.51-2). Growth in
medical equipment size has continued as imaging technologies developed. This is
represented by the current area for plain film x-ray at 8.238sqm, CT area at 4.199sqm
and MRI area at 5.005sqm (see Appendix E.53-56b). Interestingly, the area generated
for functionality is now only fractional in comparison to pre-electrical equipment. For
example, plain film is now 0.5, CT is 0.8 while MRI requires only 0.7 times the
functional area of its imaging equipment size.
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Left: Figure 5.19 Radiographer in control room, RLH (1993).

Left: Figure 5.20 Plain film x-ray.

Left: Figure 5.21 CT machine.

Left: Figure 5.22 MRI machine.

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Sample 12: Current mobile imaging equipment requires 2.29sqm of area generally but
these machines normally function within existing hospital spaces (see Appendix E.57-
8). However, the flexible use of functional space needs to be offset against the spatial
requirements for storing mobile equipment. Docking stations are sized at 2sqm each
throughout hospital buildings. However, the creation of bays is far easier to
accommodate than the relocation of a 30-50sqm high-tech imaging room with
additional control and ancillary rooms when functionalities need to be relocated.
No x-ray technology existed prior to 1895. Therefore, the thesis determines that both
imaging technology and its existence in hospitals have developed enormously since
1895. As both developments occurred simultaneously the thesis suggests that a
relationship exists between imaging technology progression and hospital space. This
section identified the impact of this relationship to be spatial growth and ongoing
change. For example, scanning rooms have become cellular, larger and highly technical
during their progression while the wider spatial impact includes the addition of areas to
Medical Records, Administration and staff accommodation. More significantly, the
creation of numerous new departments has resulted from x-ray technologies. These
included Radiotherapy, NM, Satellite Imaging and Biomedical Engineering (Bio. Eng.).
Each spatial entity has added space and complexities to the strategic medical planning
of 20th century hospitals particularly in forming a new D&T hospital component. At
present, Imaging is undergoing a transformation in functionality which is changing
relationships between Imaging and associated departments. Furthermore, the mobility of
imaging equipment is shifting the relationship between technology, power and space.
This study recognises both evolving relationships are key components in evolving
future hospital space as well as instigators for a new hospital medical planning model.
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5.2.3 20th century surgical innovation
In The Cambridge History of Medicine, historian Roy Porter identifies 20th century
surgical inventions and advances as the ‘Golden Age’ of surgery (Porter, 2006:202-7).
The surgical revolution would have been quite impossible without all manner of
technological innovations that have come to the aid of surgery, and indeed medicine
at large (Porter, 2006:207).
Experience gained from both world wars, as Richardson argues, has ‘consistently
proved to be a stimulus to the development of surgical techniques’ (Richardson,
1998:13). True to this argument, new surgical knowledge was created at this time
through two major events: (i) intravenous induction agents; (ii) standardised surgical
instrumentation. By the early 1900s, major advances in intravenous induction agents
enabled surgical patients to fall unconscious quickly. By the 1940s, muscle relaxants
were introduced into surgical practice allowing for the development of deeper
explorations and high-intensive surgery. Parallel to these events was the necessary
development of 19thth century surgical instrumentation. Charles Truax conceptualised
and began manufacturing standardised surgical instruments to eliminate the copious
fatalities during surgery. However, instruments continued to be made from old materials
of ivory, bone and wood until plastics and disposables were introduced after WWII.
This event signifies a revolutionary turning point in the creation of sterile surgical care
which, from here on in, instigated major surgical innovations.
Through technology, physicians would achieve the miraculous – and, in an age that
believed in material progress more than in anything else, new and better machines
seemed only a step away (Knight, 1986:26).
These ‘machines’, listed in Table 5.3, arrived in the form of numerous new medical
technologies. As the ‘efficacy of surgical techniques’ elevated hospitals to ‘the site of
expert clinical treatment’, preventative medicine became subordinate clearing the path
for surgical domination. This event was represented by new typology forms that
appeared in response to surgical innovation at this time (Hughes, 2000:26).
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Year 20th century surgical technology inventions
1935 1st prototype heart-lung machine
Endoscope invented (1956), blood vessel replacements through material
1950s
engineering (Freitas, 2003), 1st artificial pacemaker (1957)
1960s Artificial heart valves, hip-joint replacements (Freitas, 2003)
1970s Endoscopies in common practice, Cath. Lab.
Organ transplantations, oxygenators, dialyzers (Freitas, 2003) and artificial
1980s
hearts (1982)
2000s Micro-instruments and robotics allow for surgical day cases.
Table 5.3 20th century surgical technology inventions.
As surgical functionality expanded, strategic organisation was introduced to maximise
efficiencies in cost, space, staff and medical equipment. On this basis, surgery
developed into four defined categories of major and minor invasive surgery, invasive
rigid endoscopy and surgical intervention (Miller & Swennson, 2002:160). The
evolution of these surgical types is constant and alters inter-departmental relationships.
For example, minor invasive surgery presently accounts for 75-80% of all surgical
cases. In response, procedures are conducted predominantly within OPD or Day
Surgery facilities which alter the original relationship between surgery and hospital
space. While major invasive surgery remains central within the OT department, invasive
endoscopy and surgical intervention (angioplasty, laser procedures) have also
progressed to become day clinical procedures. The most noted spatial developments
from this surgical trend include the establishment of Cardiac Catheter Laboratories
(Cath. Lab.) and Endoscopy departments. Both departments are evolving currently in
response to technological innovation which are blurring the boundaries between
imaging and surgical procedures. This change-in-practice is shifting spatially towards a
new medical planning model that merges surgical interventional rooms with the OT
department. For example, a bi-plane angiography/integrated OT room at South West
Washington Medical Centre represents this new type of hybrid room (see Appendix
E.59). This latest medical planning trend is emerging from the developments in
‘minimal invasive’ technologies that reduce the scale of patient incisions while
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increasing patient recovery rates. Similarly, endoscopy has decreased the number of
excisional and incisional biopsies radically:
Even the most sceptical surgeons compare the magnitude of the impact of
endoscopic surgery to the impact of anesthesia (Miller & Swennson, 2002:168)
Other examples of this innovative technology include arthroscopy and lithotripsy but it
is the recent robotic inventions that are revolutionising surgical practice presently (see
Appendix G.9).
The most common operation in cardiac surgery – coronary artery bypass grafting –
can be done robotically, the surgeon performing the procedure while seated at a
console near the operating table (Wilson, 1999:1)
This present situation of robotic use is changing surgical practice. As identified in
section 4.2.5, changes in medical practice instigate future spatial change. Hence, the
thesis recognises the possibility of change to future OT spaces which is fully discussed
in Chapters 7-8.
Sample 13: Evidently from Figures 5.23-24a, a large space for student observation
existed in OTs while surgical administration consisted of minimal technology in 1898.
The tiered viewing theatre is a typical arrangement for 19th century OTs but, as a
model, was replaced by a flat-floored OT room by the 1920s. Spatially, this functional
change reduced the ground floor area from 16.45sqm to 14.29sqm but the tiered seating
was replaced with functional area for growing surgical teams (see Appendix E.60-3). In
1898, the only ‘technology’ present in OTs was non-electrical anaesthetic equipment.
The size was calculated to be 0.0077sqm but, by the early-20th century, electrical
anaesthetic machines had grown to 1.233sqm. These machines continued to grow in
size whereby 1970s anaesthetic equipment, complete with gas cylinders, required
2.28sqm of space (see Appendix E.64-66). Thereafter, the evolution in surgical
technology created highly computerised, technical, high-spec clean OT rooms (see
Figures 5.25-26a). Surgical equipment became ceiling mounted, drawing from the
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concept for FRLT equipment, where suspended high-tech booms removed as many
obstacles away from the working path of surgical team members. Ceiling mounted
equipment is now standard practice in all OT rooms but current HBN guidance still
allocates 7.548sqm at ground floor level for fixed equipment (see Appendix E.67). This
is 98 times greater the equipment area calculated for 1898. This finding shows that
spatial change occurred to 20th century OT rooms as a result of new surgical technology.
Numerous spatial events resulted from 20th century surgical technology developments.
Events are underpinned by three spatial trends: spatial addition, ongoing changes and
new types of space. The first major spatial trend regards the growth of OT room sizes.
Rooms have evolved to become larger and highly technical spatial environments. For
example, a general OT room is currently 55sqm while a specialist cardiac theatre is
63sqm (DHEFD, 2004;2006). However, these areas are likely to change in the face of
increased imaging technology use in surgery. A second trend regards the addition of
new rooms, such as, new clinical support rooms which comprise of clean and dirty
utilities, prep rooms, pre-post recovery rooms, staff rooms as well as large storage areas
created specifically for OT equipment. Elsewhere, extra rooms were added to support
service departments to accommodate for increased OT procedures. These include extra
areas for pathology testing and pharmaceutical production. A third major spatial trend is
driven by the expansion of surgical functionality which has resulted in the creation of
whole new hospital departments. Endoscopy, Cath. Labs. and Surgical Day Wards all
originate from extra surgical needs. Each spatial unit has added to the size and form of
20th century hospital typologies. Furthermore, as surgical practice has progressed, inter-
departmental relationships have evolved where the latest development is supported by
the merging of surgical and imaging technologies. This important development is
instigating a new revolution in the medical planning of urban acute NHS hospitals.
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Left: Figure 5.23 Operation in progress, UCH (1898).

Left: Figure 5.24 OT room, RLH (1920).

Right: Figure 24a Spatial analysis of Figure 5.24.
Left: Figure 5.25 Modular operating theatre, Mile End Hospital (1971).
Left: Figure 5.26 Operation in progress, RLH (1993).

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5.2.4 Laboratory (Labs.) Revolutions
Two laboratory departments, Pathology and Pharmacy, are explored in this section to
highlight the developments of medical technologies within non-clinical hospital
departments.
(i) Pathology
The most effective process for determining disease was post-mortem examination prior
the use of stethoscopes or radiology technology. The demands for post-mortems and
pathological services escalated rapidly as patient numbers expanded in 19th century
hospitals. The outcome created new anatomical knowledge while scientific equipment
became sophisticated. Space for conducting explorations was added as demands and
funding arose. The first revolutionary development arrived when examinations
transferred from cadavers to live bodies. Live blood and tissue samples were extracted
for analyses to facilitate clinicians with their diagnoses and choice of treatment regimes.
Laboratories evolved into a source of physiological and biological medical knowledge,
as Porter argues, while ‘the hospital was a place to observe, the laboratory to
experiment’ (Porter, 2006:157). The development of the Pathology department is
mapped from St. Thomas’ records:
It was the addition of clinical bacteriology to the old medical microscopy and simple
clinical chemistry that made the subject we now know as clinical pathology...it
became apparent to the hospital staff that the arrangements for proper laboratory
investigations on patients were inadequate and that they needed a central laboratory
(Foster & Pinniger, 1963:339).
The need for a designated department, that consolidated all laboratory spaces to one
location, gathered momentum by the 1890s.
In 1896 the medical and surgical officers of St. Thomas’s Hospital addressed an
appeal for the centralized clinical laboratory...‘it can hardly be doubted that in the
immediate future a clinical laboratory...will be considered an essential part of all
large general hospitals’ (Foster & Pinniger, 1963:339).
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Consequently, a clinical laboratory opened at St. Thomas’ in 18979. Such was the
activity of this new department that ‘a substantial new building for pathology was
completed in 1902’ (Foster & Pinniger, 1963:343). This study acknowledges this
medical planning event as highly significant from the perspective of incoming medical
ETs; the outcome from new pathological practice was the creation of new and
additional laboratory spaces even though St. Thomas’ had been rebuilt only a few years
earlier (1881).
After the Pathology department was established at St. Thomas’, Pathology departments
became established throughout most UK hospitals. In this new department, pathologists
examined all organs, tissues, bodily fluids as well as complete corpses in the process of
micro-bacteriological diagnostics. Five subfields developed from the widespread impact
of science upon medical practice (see Table 5.4). From these areas, the Pathology
department became divided into sections of histopathology, cytopathology, bloods
(bank, grouping, cross-matching), microbiology and specialist tests. Each subfield
necessitates its own medical technology and spatial requirements. For example,
specialist tests require ‘containment level 3’ status, sterile rooms. A plentiful of bench
mounted equipment was invented from improved microscopic equipment. Alternatively,
large floor standing pieces of automated equipment were invented to conduct batch
sampling and specimen testing.
Significant 20th century pathological discoveries

1 Microbiology (immunology)
2 Organic chemistry: New concept of deficiency (digestion, nourishment)
3 Endocrinology: Hormonal secretion, a new field of study of chemical
messengers which led to discovery of insulin and diabetes.
4 Neurology
5 Genetics: DNA (1953), Human Genome (1986)
Table 5.4 List of typical 20th century pathological discoveries (Porter, 2006:165-75).
9
Under Louis Jenner’s directorship.
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Pathology technology developed significantly during the 1970s to advance the speed of
laboratory results and faster clinical decisions. This form of medical technology
continued to improve to allow for real-time analysis. Consequently, many NHS
hospitals are installing near-patient-testing (NPT) equipment presently. This is a new
spatial trend that uses pathological equipment outside of its department and represents
the expanding growth in mobile technology use in NHS hospitals (see Appendix E.70-
70a). An additional type of technology assisted with accelerating pathological
processes. The introduction of pneumatic tube technology delivers samples between
Pathology and clinical areas. This technology is beneficial by reducing staff footfalls to
depressurise hospital circulation spaces. This infrastructure technology requires its own
functional space within Pathology as well as space throughout the hospital (1-2sqm
each).
Pathology’s growth since the 1890s has affected many hospital areas. New types and
additional area have been added both inside and outside of the department. Too many to
mention here, the following areas are representative examples: increased post-mortems
spaces, new offices for microbiologists, clinical rooms for phlebotomy, large cold
storage areas for specimens and spaces for NPT equipment. However, the thesis
identifies Pathology as not a dominant medical planning driver particularly since
pneumatic tube technology was introduced into hospitals. To explain, when hospital
medical planning became complex post-1970s, Pathology resolved its operational issues
through technology which assisted in decreasing extra circulation space and the medical
planning problems associated with the delivery of goods.
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Sample 14: To quantify the spatial impact of Pathology equipment, Figures 5.27-27a
depict typical spatial needs for pathological administration c.1900. However, the spatial
requirements for a Pathology department are recorded at St. Thomas’, 1897:
A large room 46x17ft., divided into two by a partition....each worker had his bench,
drawer and sink, with gas and electricity laid on. One of the rooms was reserved for
bacteriology and in the other room media were prepared, the blood and urine
examinations made and the historical sections cut (Foster & Pinniger, 1963:340).
This new department required 81.54sqm of previously scattered or non-existent hospital
space. To place this into perspective, St. Thomas’ Pathology department is currently
7965.115sqm (see Chapter 6). This spatial increase is almost 1000% larger than 1897
which occurred concurrently to 20th century pathology technology development.
Left: Figure 5.27 Anatomy Laboratory, Boylston Street (circa 1900).

(ii) Pharmacy
Pharmacy departments existed in most British hospitals at the turn of the 20th century.
Products produced and dispersed on-site included alcohol, castor and cod liver oil.
Arsenic, opiates, cocaine and ‘highly-explosive potassium chlorate’ were also produced
on-site with these remedies replaced eventually by ‘superior’ 20th century
pharmaceuticals (HHARP, 2010b). As a direct outcome of new anatomical and
physiological knowledge, and particularly ‘germ theory’, pharmacology experienced
many revolutions, such as, the discovery of vitamins (1912) and insulin in 1922 (Porter,
2006:222-8). Eventually, in response to high medical demands, large-scale
pharmaceutical manufacturing was contracted-out to private companies. This was a

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critical and constructive strategy that dealt with foreseeable pressures for
pharmaceutical production and its impact on hospital space. This historical decision was
proven to be apt, as in 1927, the invention of synthetic drugs transformed the
pharmaceutical industry and the scale of manufacturing. Growth in pharmacology
continued with many major breakthroughs during the 1940s, for example, numerous
forms of chemotherapy were invented (Porter, 2006:232). However, post-WWII
discoveries of antibiotics and penicillin affected medical practice deeply through its
ability to control and manage human disease and pain. Major growth continued insofar
that ‘50 percent of drugs used in the mid-1960s had been unknown only 5 or 6 years
before’ (NHS Trust Archives, 2008:panel9). Presently, medication remains central to
the healthcare for patient wellness and recovery within hospitals where the future is
forecast for further revolutionary advancements.
Sample 15: Pictorial evidence in Figures 5.28-28a show a functioning Pharmacy at
GOSH in 1906. Little in the way of medical technology is visible in comparison with
Figures 5.29-29a where the size, number and complexity of Pharmacy has grown by the
1930s. This correlates with the post-1910s pharmaceutical changes which required
additional area to support new equipment, workers and functional area. This increase,
approximated to be 23.7sqm, is based on the generic unit of space required for each
pharmacist’s workstation pictured (see Appendix E.71-4). Today, workstations remain
similar but it is to the latest robotic dispensing equipment that is directing the
configuration of hospital space in Pharmacy departments (see Figure 5.30-30a). These
robotic machines are custom-made to suit the needs of each hospital’s pharmaceutical
demands. These vast machines, such as, the robot at Pembury Hospital (19.93sqm),
directly affect the size and form of hospital space while readjusting the medical
planning of hospitals if placed in Dispensaries at ground floors (see Appendix E.75-7).
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Left: Figure 5.28 GOSH Pharmacy (c. 1906).

Left: Figure 5.29 Birmingham Hospital Pharmacy (1950s).

Left: Figure 5.30 Pharmaceutical robot located in production Pharmacy’s only.

Right: Figure 5.30a Spatial analysis of Pembury Hospital pharmacy robot.
Currently, Pharmacy is divided into two distinct areas: Dispensary and Main Pharmacy.
Clinical trials are conducted in either Wards or OPD spaces. Recent hospital designs
locate the Dispensary adjacent to hospital entrances to improve customer accessibility.
This has been achieved through pneumatic tube systems that transfer products safely
while effectively using expensive Pharmacy staff. The latest operational model for
Pharmacy is the use of ‘Satellite Pharmacies’ to decrease time delays and staff travel
distances. These new units localise pharmaceutical stocks adjacent to busy clinical areas
throughout the whole hospital where needs be. Main Pharmacy areas consist of spaces
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designated to drug receiving, packaging and storage. Pharmaceutical production is
conducted in aseptic suites consisting of space hungry high-spec clean rooms. The
spatial impact of pharmacy technology is similar to the development of Patholgy which
is the formation of new and additional spaces, such as, radio-pharmacist changing
rooms or clinical trial offices. While the Main Pharmacy space has become more
technical, functionality remains in a large open-planned room with cellular rooms
surrounding its perimeter for new specialities and disciplines. Further afield, new
additional spaces range from observation rooms in Wards to prep rooms in OTs for
distributing medication. Historically, the most important medical planning event, with
reference to this thesis’ concerns, was Pharmacy’s conceptual strategy to out-source
manufacturing in the 1920s. This alternative medical planning solution was a logistic
and spatially efficient approach put in place to deal with emerging medical
developments.
To summarise section findings, HBN guidance for a typical Pathology department that
caters as a service network provider is 3337.8sqm in area (DHEFD, 2005).
Alternatively, aseptic production remains on-site in most large NHS acute hospitals
resulting in the need for Pharmacy to be 1039sqm as per HBN14 guidance (DHEFD,
2007a). Both areas of laboratory accommodation did not exist or barely existed prior to
1895. Therefore, this section shows laboratory technology development took place
simultaneously with hospital spatial growth.
5.2.5 Development of acute patient care
A brief outline of acute care development supports the study’s investigation of medical
technology growth in hospitals even though patient care is not a central concern.
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(i) Intensive Care Unit (ICU)
When technology advanced surgical practice to treat and cure patients successfully,
palliative care no longer remained the only form of hospital care. A new medical
technology was invented to assist with patient care developments. Previously discussed,
the ‘iron lung’ was made redundant when pharmaceuticals eradicated poliomyelitis. Its
technology was developed into a mechanical ventilator for respiratory control (Miller &
Swennson, 1995:182). This upgraded technology resulted in a new critical care practice
which stabilised patients in post-operative or critical care conditions (c.1950s).
Logistically, it became desirable to centralise all of these patients, their staff and
technologies at one location. Therefore, as an outcome of new medical technologies and
HDR, a new ICU service with specialised staff was introduced into NHS hospitals
(1960s). These ICU nursing units became highly technical and have since developed
into highly-intensive acute care units. This instigated the spatial creation of similar acute
care departments: High Dependency Unit (HDU); Critical Care Unit (CCU); NICU. All
are driven by the centralisation of medical technologies dedicated to stabilising high-
level acute patients in one location.
(ii) Accident and Emergency (A&E)
As a recent development in British healthcare delivery, the A&E department only came
into existence from the accumulation of technology developments. For example, access
to improved x-ray technology and surgical instrumentation increased the survival rates
of patients in critical conditions. After the EMS Act (1939) established an ‘emergency’
service, acute care was introduced into NHS hospitals. This new department allowed for
patients to be admitted into a dedicated area that treated and observed emergency sick
patients. Since then (1950s), A&E departments have grown to become UAT centres.
Recent trends in design have been influenced by complicated acute trauma procedures,
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delivered by multi-disciplinary teams that need access to cutting-edge imaging
equipment. Therefore, with the introduction of mobile technologies, a trend for using
scanning equipment within A&E departments was established to eliminate the
troublesome need for bedded patient transfers. Area was added for mobile medical
equipment but as a new model for ‘satellite imaging’ emerges, the dynamics of planning
A&E departments continues to evolve and expand spatially.
Based on current HBN guidance, A&E departments equate to 1878.5sqm of previously
non-existent space (DHEFD, 2007b). Similarly, 1792.4sqm is now required for a CCU
(16 bed unit) department. Both examples support the argument that medical technology
creates the need for urban acute hospital space.
5.2.6 Analysis of post-electrical technology
The development of post-1895 medical equipment was mapped through Samples 6-15.
A collective spatial analysis of this section reveals four main important findings.
Left: Figure 5.31 Pre- and post-electrical equipment area analysis. Right: Figure 5.32
Development of x-ray areas (see Appendix E.78-9).
(i) Increase in medical equipment size: Averages for pre- and post-electrical medical
technology sizes were graphed in Figure 5.31 for comparison. Data clearly identifies an
increment in equipment size between 19th and 20th century medical technologies. A
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direct outcome from this finding was the creation of extra hospital area for much larger
20th century medical equipment.
(ii) Evolving medical technology sizes: The thesis observes that medical technology
size increases before it decreases in equipment size during the course of its evolution.
For example, the history of ECG, electro-therapy and x-ray technology all experienced
this evolutionary change (see Figure 5.32). Therefore, even without ‘nanotechnology’,
medical technologies seem to follow a pattern of equipment size reduction as they
progress. Challenging this theory is the recent increase in mobile CT size but this
medical technology is only in its initial stages of development. Therefore, the thesis
believes that future mobile CT equipment will be smaller in size since the difficult
challenge of mobility has been achieved.
(iii) Evolving proportions of medical technology size to functional space: Functional
area for medical technology was found to alter after equipment size changed (see Figure
5.33-4). This relationship reached a pivotal point post-1970, when, for the first time, the
proportional rate of medical technology was greater than its functional area. This
significant event identifies when room sizes became dictated by medical equipment and
maps a revolution in medical planning history when medical technology became a
dominant design factor in configuring hospital space.
Left: Figure 5.33 Growth of medical equipment and functional areas.

Right: Figure 5.34 Proportion of medical equipment area to functional area.
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(iv) Effects of medical technology development on medical practice: The extent to
which medical technologies had grown was reflected by its hierarchy in 20th century
hospitals. For example:
The x-ray machine led the way to the technical, machine-orientated medical practice
we are familiar with today (Knight, 1986:30).
Numerous departments were created specifically for medical technology use post-1900,
in comparison to the anatomical divisions of late-19th century hospital space. Hospitals
became operational and technical where the reliance upon technology dominated the
provision of care. As new medical technologies emerged, the number and type of
hospital space multiplied in two ways (see Table 5.5): (i) existing departments
expanded, such as, OT and Pharmacy; (ii) new departments were created, such as,
Imaging and Bio. Eng..
Sample Post-electrical
Revolution in Spatial implications
No. Technology
New OPD and rehab spaces created.
Technology,
Electro- Extra spaces for support required in
therapeutic
6-9 therapy Pathology, Administration and Laundry.
care and
Areas for storage, maintenance and staff
monitoring
change added throughout the hospital.
New Satellite/Imaging departments
Technology,
created. Storage for mobile equipment
Diagnostics,
10-12 Radiology and administration added, such as, PACS,
recent
Bio. Eng. and staff accommodation
treatments
added.
OT suite increased. New CSSD and
Surgical Surgical Day Wards added. Extra space
Surgical
13 technology, required in Pathology, Laundry, OPD and
MIS Wards. Additional staff and cleaning
areas throughout the hospital.
New clinical Pathology department
Laboratory formed. Extra spaces required for
technology, administration, testing, production and
diagnostics, storage. Increase in size to Pharmacy
14-15 Laboratories
pain and department. Extra spaces added to OPD
disease and Wards. Area for storage,
management maintenance, staff and administration
added throughout the hospital.
Table 5.5 Tabled analysis: Chapter 5’s post-electrical technological events.
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Post-1900 surgical innovation supported the rise of the OT department to its central and
current position within NHS hospitals. Driven by medical technology progression, the
‘Golden Age of Surgery’ flourished to dominate 20th century healthcare and hospital
space due to its substantial proportions for each OT and adjacent ancillary rooms.
Recent medical technology developments, however, are dissolving this department’s
boundaries through improvements in imaging and minimal invasive technologies. These
changes to surgical practice are reforming inter-departmental relationships which will
create transformations that will lead to a major medical planning revolution.
Current evolving models of care are being assisted by new mobile equipment which
emerged as a concept not unique to late-20th century hospitals. Findings identified that
mobile equipment existed prior the use of consumable fixed energy and was central to
early-20th century developments in ECG technology. This trend towards mobile medical
equipment creates a shift in the relationship between delivering care, technology and
hospital space. For example, developing laboratory equipment is of significance to NPT
mobility which is evolving pathological functionalities to be contained no longer within
Pathology. The thesis recognises this shifting relationship to be crucially important to
assisting in future hospital medical planning.
The thesis identifies seven major trends from post-electrical medical technology
developments that are relevant to future medical planning:
(i) Numerous new departments were created as new technologies emerged
(ii) Pharmacy’s alternative medical planning solution for future change
(iii) Electricity became a fixed architectural element post-1900
(iv) Increased proportion of medical technology size to hospital space (post-1970s)
(v) Medical technology size declines during the course of equipment evolution
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(vi) Mobile equipment changes the relationship between delivering care and space
(vii) Blurring of boundaries between surgical and imaging technologies is currently
reforming the strategic medical planning of hospitals.
5.3 Analysis of chapter findings
This chapter’s specific divided examination has magnified the difference between 19th
and 20th century technological developments. Numerous trends emerged regarding
medical technology types and sizes while equipment mobility was observed as an
ongoing trend rather than a recent technology development. Generally, investigations
have provided spatial evidence that proves:
(i) 20th century medical equipment sizes are larger (0.4-5.9sqm) than pre-electrical
medical technology (0.0285sqm) (see Figure 5.35-6)
(ii) Growth in medical equipment size is inconsistent and can become void (see
Figure 5.37)
(iii) The proportion of total area for pre-electrical medical equipment size was
fractional (0.228%) in comparison with 20th century medical technology sizes
(64.3%) (see Figure 5.38).
Significantly, it emerged that small medical instruments can transform medical practice,
organisation and space. However, the thesis determines; small medical equipment
instigates spatial creation rather than drives the particular sizing of hospital space.
Figure 5.35 Analysis of pre-electrical medical equipment sizes (see Appendix E.27).
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Figure 5.36 Analysis of post-electrical medical equipment sizes (see Appendix E.78).
Left: Figure 5.37 Analysis of pre-post electrical medical equipment sizes (see
Appendix E.79-82).
Figure 5.38 Analysis of pre-post electrical medical equipment size as a proportion of

total area (see Appendix E.83-5).
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Chapter 5
As per Chapter 4 and 5’s findings, a minimal amount of medical technology existed
within a few 19th century hospital departments. For example, pre-1895 hospitals
consisted of Wards, OPD, mortuary theatres and a scattering of laboratories. The thesis
acknowledges that major innovations took place in surgical and x-ray technologies,
such as, the numerous radiological inventions listed in Table 5.6. As each new medical
technology was introduced into practice, medical equipment and its functionality
required dedicated hospital space. The accumulative affect was the formation of new
hospital departments some of which were technology based. A splurge of new
departments opened throughout the 1900s as medical technologies developed
extensively (see Figures 5.39-41). An examination of events was required to determine
the relationship between findings. Rates for medical technology progression were
mapped onto the growth of hospital departments. Evidence mapped the creation of new
hospital departments occurred concurrently with medical technology progression
between 1800-2010 (see Figure 5.42). This finding uncovers; a strong relationship
between medical technology and British hospital space has existed since 1895.
Radiology Equipment in Existence

Equipment
1900-50s 1970s 1980s+
Plain film x-ray yes yes yes
CT - yes yes
MRI - - yes
Control - yes yes
Mobile - - yes
Table 5.6 Development of Radiology equipment (1900-2010s).
Figure 5.39 Chronological list of medical technology inventions (1800-2010).

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Figure 5.40 Growth rate of medical technologies post-1800.
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Chapter 5
Figure 5.41 Historical mapping of hospital departmental growth (1800-2010).
Figure 5.42 Historical growth of medical technology v hospital departments: Combined

mapping of Figures 5.40-1.
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Chapter 5
5.4 Chapter Conclusion
Chapter 5 explored the development of medical technologies in British hospitals to
examine and identify its affect upon past and existing hospital space. Essential lessons
are drawn from the outcomes of putting new medical technologies into post-1800
hospitals, specifically, from trends that explain the rapid decline of late-20th century
NHS hospitals.
The simplicity of 19th century hospital design should not to be overlooked, as architects
of that time had to contend with similar existing spatial challenges. For example, in the
1880s, modestly planned hospital buildings were forced to adapt to emerging spatial
issues. New OPD specialties, the rising ascent of the OT department as well as the
introduction of new ‘electrical’ technologies all required innovative medical planning
solutions to respond to new spatial and technological demands.
The analysis of 20th century medical technology developments raises numerous themes,
such as, the constant fluctuation of medical technology sizes. In essence, a detrimental
outcome unfolded from a vortex of simultaneous events that inform an understanding of
the spatial failure of many late-20th century NHS hospitals. A sequence of incidents
commenced with the computer revolution which instigated an abundance of new
medical technologies. All new medical equipment required hospital space in existing
pressurised hospital buildings. These technological changes ran concurrently with the
1970s economic crisis which forced new NHS hospitals to become smaller, cheaper
buildings. The DHSS produced Harness and Nucleus model types that compromised
functionality by reducing hospital spaces to 80% of HBN guidance. However, hospital
design restrictions clashed with medical technology’s massive growth in numbers, size
and functional area. Therefore, the outcome from putting new medical technologies into
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shrinking post-1960s hospital spaces was detrimental and resulted in the spatial failure
of NHS hospital buildings. It is for this reason the thesis is concerned for PFI NHS
hospitals as many earlier projects employed a similar Nucleus model.
‘Expansion’ area has been added to large high-tech rooms in recent PFI hospitals in
recognition of a trend in recent ongoing medical technology size increases. This
approach would be considered appropriate but, as this chapter demonstrates, medical
technology size decreases as it progresses over time. Furthermore, Feynman states that
ETs, by their nature, have to become smaller in order to develop. Both pieces of
evidence lead this study to believe that spatial flexibility has been invested in PFI NHS
hospitals incorrectly. For example, recent medical technologies are merging surgical
and x-ray practices but PFI design briefs required no departmental adjacencies between
these two medical disciplines. In most cases, these departments have been located on
different floors making future developments difficult, costly and maybe impossible to
renovate. In addition, the increase in mobile equipment requires new area to be
distributed throughout hospitals. However, PFI schemes were designed so tightly that
no spatial allowance for flexibility exists to cater for this type of hospital spatial change.
This chapter has focused on the events and developments of medical technologies in
hospitals. How technological innovation impacted on the medical planning of hospitals
is assessed quantitatively next and completes the thesis’ assessment of technology’s
relationship with hospital space.
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Chapter 6: Typological Case Studies
“Without a good plan nothing exists, all is frail and cannot endure, all is poor even
under the clutter of the richest decoration”
Le Corbusier
Chapter 6
6.0 Introduction
Chapter 6 is dedicated to achieving the thesis’ second objective. This is to determine
medical technology as a driver of hospital medical planning. Findings from Chapters 4
and 5 inform this chapter’s exploration which examines how influential medical
technology has impacted quantitatively upon past and present hospital space. The
chapter begins with a description of the case study sample and its parameters. The focus
of research concerns the high-tech component of NHS urban acute hospitals only. This
is followed by the measurement of four London NHS hospital case studies which trace
the nature of high-tech hospital space through post-1800 hospital plans. The case study
sample includes the Royal London Hospital (RLH), St. Thomas’, the Chelsea and
Westminster, and University City London Hospital (UCLH). Each case study is
examined individually before a collective spatial analysis of case study findings is
presented. The chapter closes with conclusions which completes Part II’s investigation
of technology’s relationship with hospital space
The sample of selected acute hospitals represents only 3.4% of NHS hospitals (DOH,
2007:3). Nevertheless, this particular sample contains over three hundred years of
hospital spatial change. On this basis, the study’s sample was considered superior to a
large hospital sample with no historical background. Three main findings are revealed
from this chapter’s exploration:
(i) Quantitative status of past and present urban acute high-tech NHS hospital space
(ii) Identification of spatial trends that reinforce the relationship between medical
technology and hospital space
(iii) Medical technology is a dominant driver of hospital medical planning.
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6.1 Description of case study sample
Section 3.1.1 details the specifics for choosing London as the study’s sample city. This
section describes the parameters employed to refine the case study sample.
(i) Geographical sample area for the London region
Healthcare services throughout the district of London are dispersed through numerous
geographical regions (see Figure 6.1). Each region contains many hospitals of various
disciplines but acute NHS hospitals are located upon population catchment areas
specifically. Central London’s acute hospitals have the additional pressure of dealing
with spatial and typological restrictions in addition to greater population numbers that
strain existing healthcare services. For this reason, London’s Zone 1 area was chosen to
represent a dense urban area with intensified health and spatial problems that challenge
its city’s hospital buildings with ongoing change (see Figure 6.2).
Left: Figure 6.1 Map of London healthcare regions (The Lancet, 1939:723).
Right: Figure 6.2 Zoned sample area of Figure 6.1.
(ii) Typological and sample criteria
London has a long history of ‘hospitals’ but as Chapters 4 and 5 reveal, medical
technologies did not appear in British hospitals until the 19th century. Hence, the time
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Overall, UCLH hospitals were rebuilt three times over the past 170 years. Each new
building was relocated due to an absence of spatial adaptability. New sites were found
nearby precedent hospital buildings to become part of UCL’s expanding university
grounds. Within the current campus, UCLH exists as a dense urban block but no scope
exists for future expansion as its footprint covers its hospital site completely. With a
history of relocations that resulted from spatial failure of urban block typologies, this
study considers UCLH’s future to be one of relocation unless a 1:1000 medical planning
solution is employed for future sustainability.
6.6 Analysis of hospital case studies
A combined spatial analysis completes Chapter 6’s hospital case study investigation.
All case study high-tech areas are graphed in Figure 6.22. Data identifies three trends:
(i) 1832-1950: A clustered pattern exists of 2-3%. This consistent data maps the
minimal use of medical technology in 19th and early-20th century hospitals
(ii) 1950-2000: Rates are spaced randomly between 25% and 66.4%. Results are
inconclusive but all case studies experienced spatial growth in high-tech areas
(iii) 2010/12: While a scattered range of rates is recorded (35-74.4%), all rates
increased immensely from a 3% average in 1950.
The study concludes from quantitative findings that high-tech hospital space has
increased greatly since 1950 which correlates with Chapter 5’s measured growth rate for
medical technology progression. This simultaneous progression demonstrates an
interconnected relationship exists between technological innovation and hospital spatial
change. However, a standard growth rate for hospital space was determined
inconclusive based on the inconsistencies amongst hospital age, GBA and hospital
typology type.
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Figure 6.22 Development rates of case study high-tech areas (1832-2010/12).
Left: Figure 6.23 Area/sqm for case studies high-tech areas (1832-1900).
Right: Figure 6.23a Area/sqm for case studies high-tech areas (1950-2010/12).
A second quantitative analysis examines the relationship between all case studies’ high-
tech areas (see Figure 6.23-23a). Interestingly, despite variable GBAs for each
measured typology, a clustered pattern emerged for post-1900 high-tech areas. For
example, the average high-tech space was 1,100sqm in 1950 while current high-tech
areas average between 25-30,000sqm (excluding the RLH which accounts for the UK’s
largest NHS hospital). On average, an extra 21,900sqm of high-tech space has been
added to London’s acute hospitals since 1950 - the same period when hospital medical
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planning changed radically and became complex. Furthermore, this data quantifies the
spatial challenges that NHS hospitals faced in the later 20th century. On this basis, this
study determines; medical technology has been and remains a dominant driver of NHS
hospital space.
Case study 3:
Case study 1: Case study 2: Case study 4:
Chelsea &
RLH St. Thomas’ UCLH
Westminster
Organisation Voluntary/
Royal/D&B Voluntary/D&B General/PFI
& process PFI
Typology
type:
Single pavilion Pavilion,
previous Single block Single block
Block urban block
Campus with Campus with
current Urban block Urban block
urban block urban blocks
1840 Y X X X/Rebuilt
1870 Y Y Y Y
1900 Y Y Y X/Rebuilt
1950 Y Y X/Rebuilt Y
Y/Rebuilt on X/Rebuilt on X/Rebuilt on
2000/10 Y
same site new site new site
Future Yes/maybe Yes No Maybe
Y = on existing site X = on previous site
Table 6.2 Time line for case studies.
A final analysis charts case study data in Table 6.2 where recurring issues emerge to
form three significant trends.
(i) Organisation, as previously addressed, drives the opening and closure of hospitals.
From this chapter’s exploration, both organisation and building processes emerge as not
implicating on hospital space formation. Of interest to this study is the impact
differences between PFI v D&B. As findings proved inconclusive within this study,
POE of PFI hospitals is required to measure this relationship.
(ii) The relocation of hospitals was acknowledged as relating to the spatial failure of
urban blocks forms. For example, the Chelsea and Westminster was rebuilt three times
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during the 20th century alone. This is an alarming rate for relocating and rebuilding a
hospital. Similarly, UCLH, as a single block typology, relocated on numerous occasions
but its 1906 typology seemed to survive the 20th century technological revolution.
Unfortunately, plans were unavailable to examine how this hospital coped with post-
1960s change but considering UCLH was one of first PFI hospitals, this study arrives at
one conclusion; UCLH desperately needed to be rebuilt from its inability to spatially
function, expand and adapt. Extraordinarily, the same medical planning model was
adopted for the latest UCLH building. This approach is considered unsustainable
drawing from the hospital’s track record of failed single block typologies and its
building’s current high amount of high-tech area. As all of these hospitals were urban
block typologies, this study determines; urban block typologies are inappropriate for
creating sustainable urban acute hospitals on restrictive sites.
(iii) The sustainability of hospitals is acknowledged to be delivered through campus
styled typologies. Two medical planning principles underpin the success of this
typology type. The first principle is the incorporation of UAS which provides flexible
space during on-going developments. The thesis identifies both St. Thomas’ and RLH’s
use of UAS as driving their success for over 120 years. This finding instigates another
concern for PFI hospitals as most were built exactly to or under the size of briefed areas.
As a result, the thesis is not confident about the durability of PFI urban blocks should
identified trends in this chapter be adhered to strictly. For example, the new twenty-
storey ‘matchbox-on-a-muffin’ RLH’s urban block raises concern is as this new
addition alters the hospital’s strategic medical planning model. However, as the PFI
block can utilise surrounding campus space, this building’s sustained future can be
directed as part of a campus wide strategy. This strategy represents, what the thesis
believes is, a second and essential medical planning principle; the necessary
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employment of 1:1000 medical planning solutions. The success of this principle was
shown to be fundamental in creating St. Thomas’ recent sustainability. Hence, the
thesis’ anticipation for neither the Chelsea and Westminster or UCLH to survive on
their existing hospital sites can be avoided by incorporating innovative medical
planning solutions at the urban level to reverse their urban block typology’s adaptability
status.
Chapter 6 examined medical technology’s influence upon hospital medical planning.
Quantitative assessments revealed: the rate of high-tech hospital space in post-1800
plans has grown immensely; the composition of post-1950 hospital space has been
altered greatly as relationships between medical technologies and space have evolved.
Contextually, growth was represented by thousands of sqm of new high-tech hospital
space but the outcome led to a critical revolution in medical planning history. The
accumulation of new high-tech space created a new ‘D&T’ component. Furthermore, as
high-tech space increased, medical planning relationships multiplied which required
whole new ways of medical planning. The spatial outcome was manifested
architecturally in the form of new hospital typologies, notably, the matchbox-on-a-
muffin type model. For some NHS hospitals, new medical planning challenges were so
vast and detrimental, that existing hospitals became obsolete where the only option
available was relocation and rebuilding. Collectively, the analysis of findings leads the
thesis to confirm; medical technology is a dominant driver of hospital medical planning.
This chapter’s quantitative findings support Chapter 4 and 5’s evidence while revealing
relevant medical planning principles for future hospital design. Of note, the computer
technology revolution greatly affected late-20th century hospitals that led to pressurised
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hospital space and the need for new medical planning models. This impact of medical
technology continues as experienced within current PFI NHS hospitals. At present,
financial problems are forcing NHS services to be consolidated at fewer locations. This
strategy escalates spatial pressures on existing PFI NHS hospitals. One example, results
from the Barts and the London Trust struggling to pay their NHS mortgages
(Randhawa, 2011:10). Consequently, services, such as A&E, were transferred from
non-PFI to their PFI NHS hospitals. The outcome is the demand for extra medical
technologies and the requirement for more hospital space. However, such changes were
unaccounted for spatially within PFI hospital designs. Other medical planning trends
identified in this study are liable to continue or re-appear. For example, a spatial
inability to respond to technological change is identified as an ongoing trend for urban
block spatial failure. This medical planning trend is of serious concern as this chapter’s
findings reveal, the current presence of high-tech space has never been so extensive in
NHS hospitals. Hence, knowledge revealed from the study is critical for understanding
the major spatial and medical planning problems that face future urban acute NHS
hospitals in order to plan for change.
To conclude Phase II’s exploration of hospital space and technology, objectives one and
two have been explored and met. Two conclusions are drawn:
(i) A relationship does exist between medical technology and hospital space
(ii) Medical technology is a dominant driver of hospital medical planning.
Based on these findings, and the rapid approach of ET realisation, it is necessary to
spatially prepare for what is anticipated to be a radical medical revolution. Le Corbusier
argues, without a good plan nothing exists. The impact of technological change on
future hospital space is explored next in Part III to identify key principles for creating
future medical planning and spatial solutions.
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“Sometime in the next thirty years, very quietly one day we will cease to be the brightest
things on earth”
James McAlear1
1
President of Gentronix Laboratories (Kaku, 1998:70).
Chapter 7
7.0 Introduction
Phase III of the research is dedicated to understanding anticipated medical ETs in a bid
to visualise future urban acute NHS hospital space. Chapter 7 is focused on achieving
the third thesis objective. This is to investigate the impact of predicted medical ETs on
future UAT treatments and associated spaces. The chapter begins by defining ET
principles, the factors driving technology success and the degree of certainty for ET.
This is followed by a brief outline of ET’s current position within healthcare before
three prevalent medical ETs are examined. The exploration of biotechnology, robotics
and cyborgization is underpinned by two pertinent questions: (i) how will medical ETs
change medical practice?; (ii) what trends emerge to assist with visioning the future
design of hospital space? Thereafter, chapter findings are discussed collectively with
respect to their spatial implications. Chapter 7 closes with key trends identified that
underpin Chapter 8’s scenario creation.
As per Moore’s Law, existing computer technology is at the commencement of an
immense new technological revolution (see Appendix G.1). Technology progression is
anticipated to be so great that James McAlear argues we will cease to be the brightest
things on earth in the not so distant future. Part of this technological revolution
concerns changes to medical practice. This chapter’s main focus is to understand the
differences between current and future medical technologies. ET theoretical and
technical information is documented extensively within a plethora of post-1960s
scientific works. Delivery of anticipated new medical treatments is not so evident from
literature. Consequently, medical planners are challenged ‘to conceive and render
spaces that can accommodate these revolutions’ (Porter O’Grady, 2007: 17).
Undoubtedly, the future cannot be predicted but optional futures can be proposed. This
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chapter’s exploration and findings assist with forming alternative medical planning
solutions for future hospital space.
7.1 Defining ET principles: All about scale
This section describes the fundamental differences between existing and future
technologies. This information supports designers with visualising the potentiality of
ETs. The main component of differentiation is the scale in which technology is
produced presently. Two scales dominate ET production: (i) microtechnology; (ii)
nanotechnology.
(i) Microtechnology
Microtechnology, or micro-electro mechanical systems (MEMS), is defined as:
A class of devices typically made from silicon or employing it in the fabrication

process; devices integrate electronics and mechanical devices onto a single substrate
with typical feature sizes in the 1- to 50-μm range (Peterson, 2004:17).
Microtechnology creates matter at the micrometer scale which is slightly larger than
‘nano’ scale production. This is calculated as ‘one thousand nanometres or one
thousandth of a millimetre’ (House of Commons Science and Technology Committee
(HCSTC), 2004:7). One of microtechnology’s most significant achievements was the
invention of the integrated circuit (IC). This has assisted with the fundamental
progression of technology since the 1960s. MEMS have dramatically improved
technology performance while reducing costs simultaneously through sophisticated
mechanical systems produced on chip technology (Burtis, 1995:215). ‘Commercially
exploited for many years, for example, in the production of ever smaller electronic
devices and more powerful small computers’, MEMS remain a developing technology
with anticipated potentialities (HCSTC, 2004:7). Significantly, MEMS offer a wide
range of possibilities as most ICs and micro-machinery required to work at this scale
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and the nano scale are produced at the microtechnology level. Current MEMS
applications include micro-mechanical devices composed in products, such as,
pacemakers, blood pressure monitors and drug delivery systems (Prime Faraday
Partnership, 2002:6).
(ii) Nanotechnology
The conceptual principles of nanotechnology originate from Feynman’s There’s Plenty
of Room at the Bottom. However, ambiguities in defining nanotechnology circulated
throughout the scientific industry until recently (see Appendix G.2-3). A universal
standard for defining nanotechnology was defined by the International Standardization
Organization (ISO) Technical Specifications:
The application of scientific knowledge to control and utilize matter in the nanoscale,
where properties and phenomena related to size or structure can emerge (ISO/TS
80004-1:2010).
At present, the ISO specifies nanotechnology as:
Intentionally produced materials that have one or more dimensions on a scale

between about 1 and 100 nm (Hischier&Walser, 2012:271) (see Figure 7.1).
Figure 7.1 Scale of nanotechnology from a medical perspective.
Generally, nanotechnology is the application of engineering and science where ‘at least
one dimension is on the nanometer scale (one-billionth of a meter)’ (Sahoo et. al.,
2007:20). As argued by Dr. Jerome Glen:
Nanotechnology is more of an approach to engineering than a science (Glenn,

2006:129).
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Nanotechnology is already a multi-billion pound worldwide market and is incorporated
into thousands of products across numerous industries, such as, healthcare, electronics,
and materials (Morose, 2010:285).
7.1.1 Analysis: Micro v nano
There are two distinct approaches to fabrication which sets microtechnology and
nanotechnology apart. Both fabrications need not be detailed here but their
compositions, and section findings, are tabled in Appendices G.4-5. From this data, the
study determines that the difference in technology type and scale are irrelevant to this
thesis’ focus on hospital space as both technologies share common outcomes and goals:
Both approaches can work within both biological and nonbiological systems,
bridging important divides between the biological and nonbiological worlds (Horton
& Khan, 2006:43).
Suffice to say, the approach taken within the thesis identifies nanotechnology as a
slowly progressing technology while microtechnology continues to strive towards
reaching its technological potential. Nevertheless, over the coming decades, progress
from both types of technology will offer great medical changes under the technological
umbrella of medical ETs.
7.1.2 Degrees of certainty: Driving factors for technology success
The same companies involved in developing micro-nano technologies conduct current
R&D of medical technologies. This R&D relationship is allowing the healthcare sector
to be one of the first industries to benefit from anticipated ETs (Sahoo et. al., 2007:21).
Four drivers for technology success are considered in this study to bring perspective to
predicted medical ETs: (i) finance; (ii) time; (iii) consumers; (iv) hazards and ethics.
Detailed in Appendix G.6, findings conclude that finance will not impede upon the
long-term achievements of ET progression. This perspective is supported by an ongoing
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trend of technology growth that defies economic recessions. Furthermore, medical
technologies have enormous potential as computer expert Andy Kessler argues, ‘silicon
means smaller, cheaper, faster, better’ technologies (Kessler, 2006:183). Additionally,
any medical ETs that can reduce the cost of staff salaries is worth developing to
decrease the NHS’s largest expense. Alternatively, timescales associated within
nanotechnology production need to be reduced to allow for ETs to become affordable.
However, with medical ETs requiring health and ethical approvals, time and costs will
be added which will drive the success or failure of all medical ETs. On this basis,
biotechnology, robotics and cybernetics were chosen for this study’s exploration as their
technology is predicted to be fairly matured by 2025. Therefore, a relationship diagram
for future medical ETs discussed in the study is established in Figure 7.2.
Figure 7.2 Hierarchy diagram of medical ET relationships as per Figure 3.1.
7.1.3 ETs in healthcare
The role of ETs in healthcare is twofold: to improve the delivery of care; increase staff
productivity. While the medical field is forecast to benefit greatly from future
technology developments, ETs have a presence in hospitals already through the use of
microtechnologies. For example, existing products include activity monitors,
chemotherapy and pacemakers as well as insulin pumps, hearing aids and needless
injectors. Existing technologies will continue to develop and produce faster and cheaper
equipment most likely to be smaller in size based on this study’s identified trend for
medical technology size development. Other existing ET equipment includes robotic
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machines, such as, Stereotaxis which scans 3D human body maps. Of note is this
machine’s ability to be operated by only one not-so-skilled person. This new ET
replaces the need for three very expensive doctors. This equipment typifies how medical
ETs can be advantageous, particularly to hospitals where staff and fiscal shortages
persist. At present, Stereotaxis equipment is installed at UCLH and the Royal Brompton
Hospital, London, highlighting medical ET’s descent into NHS hospitals.
While not covered within this study, IT has become a vital component of hospital
technologies by transforming the delivery of NHS healthcare since the 1980s. Digital x-
rays, instant medical records and wireless technologies, which allow for quicker
diagnoses, represent the type of interactive tools available to clinicians currently. Future
healthcare delivery will be improved as a result of IT progression. The spatial
implications of IT are a discussion outside the scope of this study.
The emergence of nanomedicine:
Offers ever more exciting promises of new diagnosis and cures. It has been defined
as the monitoring, repair, construction and control of human biological systems at the
molecular level (Chan: 2006:218).
Through an ability to repair, renew and replace human tissues and organs, ‘recent
advances suggest that nanotechnology will have a profound impact on disease
prevention, diagnosis, and treatment’ (Sahoo et. al, 2006:22). So positive, physicist
Robert Freitas Jr. claims ‘in the first half of the 21st century, nanomedicine should
eliminate virtually all common diseases of the 20th century’ (Freitas, 2005: 244):
In an array of new medical devices....it is hoped that development of these

nanodevices can help physicians to locate the problem areas in the body more
precisely (Chan, 2006:220).
This is the fundamental difference between existing and future technologies which
encourages ‘most drug companies in the world to engage in nanotechnology’ (Chan,
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2006:218). Basically, the new concept for medical practice is located at the atomic
level. In brief, technologies need to transform to be able to assist clinicians with
working at an atomic level. Generally, nanomedicine is in its early stages of production
in comparison with other industries. Limited examples exist within the medical field as
only the testing of products has been accomplished. This leaves human clinical trials
and full medical approvals to be achieved. To date, findings have been positive:
The results of the relevant studies confirmed the potential of nanostructures in

regenerating different tissues (such as bone, cartilage, bladder, nerves and vessels)
(Engel et. al., 2008:42).
Realistically, Freitas suggests that ‘the greatest power of nanomedicine will emerge,
perhaps in the 2020s’ (Freitas, 2005: 244). This study believes that progress will be
witnessed initially by the medical ETs discussed in the following sections.
7.2 Biotechnology: Definition and background
As per the ‘UN Convention on Biological Diversity’,
Biotechnology means any technological application that uses biological systems,

living organisms, or derivatives thereof, to make or modify products or processes for
specific use (United Nations, 1992:3).
Biotechnology is not a novel invention. The centuries old manufacturing of beer, cheese
and milk are all products of ‘biotechnology’. Recently, many industries, such as,
agriculture and the chemical industry, have flourished from applying biotechnologies
(Colwell, 2002:216-7). Consisting of sub fields, red biotechnology is associated with
medical productivity2. This incorporates the manufacturing of antibiotics and genomic
manipulation:
Using GMOs to produce vaccines and biopharmaceuticals, tissue cloning to produce

organ replacements or to repair damaged tissues (Black et. al., 2010:16).
Historical medical biotechnology events include Jenner’s smallpox discovery, 19th
century research conducted by Pasteur and Lister and the revolutionary discovery of
2
See Glossary.
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Watson and Crick’s DNA double helix structure (1953). Of note was the early-20th
century pharmaceutical revolution which has transformed lives since the 1940s. Patient
survival from surgery and vaccine discoveries represents biotechnology’s
‘modernization of an old technology’ (Colwell, 2002:216-7). Recently, microchip
technology has developed the field of genetic engineering whereby more vaccines and
antibiotics have been developed, such as, interferon to progress the speed of non-
invasive treatments. The benefits of modern biotechnology allow for existing medicines
to be produced easier and cheaper, such as, clotting factors for haemophiliacs or fertility
drugs for expectant couples (Walsh, 2003:4). Overall, biotechnology has revolutionised
medical practice and the function of hospitals. During its development, biotechnology
events have affected NHS hospital space in different manners. Related examples,
previously addressed in Chapter 5, include the spatial impact of introducing syringe
equipment and the boom in post-1940s pharmaceutical production.
7.2.1 Biotechnology future trends
The potential for medical biotechnologies is considered certain as productivity works at
the molecular, rather than, the atomic level. Three anticipated biotechnology trends
emerge as significant as their impact will revolutionise existing healthcare practices. In
doing so, changes to medical technologies and practices will challenge the existence of
many UAT hospital spaces.
(i) Pharmaceuticals: Future developments in biotechnology are anticipated to produce
new ‘custom made drugs’ and ‘drug delivery systems’. Briefly, the outcome will create
a radical new agenda of personalised medicine. Changes will be made possible by the
growth in physiological and anatomical molecular knowledge. Both ETs will be driven
by an emerging new medical field:
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Pharmacogenomics is the study of the genetic basis for the differences between
individuals in responses to drugs in order to tailor drug prescriptions to individual
genotype (Destenaves & Thomas, 2000:440).
Presently, the pharmaceutical industry maintains a ‘one-drug-fits-all’ mentality (Sadee,
2011:2). For example, ‘interferon B is only efficient in one out of three cases of
multiple sclerosis’ (Destenaves & Thomas, 2000:440). One medical detriment from
mass-produced drugs is patient adverse reactions. This clinical outcome directly affects
A&E space due to the high demand of chronic acute patient admissions. For example,
In the United States alone, it is estimated that adverse effects are the fourth to sixth
major cause of death and that hospitalizations due to adverse drug reactions cost
from $US 30 billion to $US 150 billion a year (Destenaves & Thomas, 2000:440).
This financial statistic equates to over 100,000 patient deaths per year (Schmitz et. al.,
2001:43). Therefore, the necessity for custom-made-drugs to be realised is driven by
numerous factors that aim towards minimising patient mortalities. Contextually, the
Royal Society predicts (2005) the realisation of pharmacogenomics is ‘at least 15-20
years away’ (Boon & Moors, 2008:1916). This anticipation suggests that hospital
spatial implications are set to commence by the 2020s. While descriptions of
personalised drug equipment are not clear from literature, as a medical planner, this
study’s prediction for Pharmacy is a spatial increase in size. This prediction is based on
a future requirement for extra machines to produce a wider range of pharmaceutical
products. Each new machine will require its own large sterile room and add substantial
amounts of area to aseptic suites. Additionally, extra storage for manufactured products
will need to be considered, particularly for pharmacy robots where their size is driven
directly by a hospital’s drug supply volumes. Alternatively, the delivery of ‘custom
made drugs’ will be conducted through a number of new drug delivery systems ‘such as
nanospheres, nanocapsules, microemulsions, macromolecular complexes and ceramic
nanoparticles’ (Stylios, 2005:S7). Methods of administrating target delivered drugs are
predicted to remain as per current medical practice. This encompasses topical,
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inhalation, oral and transmucosal medical processes that can be administered in existing
hospital spaces.
(ii) Point-of-care testing (POCT) and Lab-on-a-chip (LOC): The second emerging
biotechnology trend relates to patient monitoring and testing. The first of these is point-
of-care testing (POCT) which the Royal College of Pathologists define:
An analytical test undertaken by a member of the healthcare team or by a non-

medical individual in a setting distinct from a normal hospital laboratory (Lee,
2004:2).
POCT is conducted upon body fluids, exhaled breath and cardiac markers. They are
distinguished from other pathology equipment by their recent capability to produce test
results remotely within an hour (Kumar & Arrowsmith, 2006:341). In 1999, POCT was
a concept anticipated to arrive shortly (Borriello, 1999:298). By 2010, biotechnology
advancements have produced almost real-time molecular devices that are operated in all
hospital departments. Current POCT diagnostic equipment ‘encompasses a wide variety
of testing media ranging from simple reagent strips to sophisticated handheld and
bench-top analysers’ (see Appendix G.7). A desired goal for future POCT is for
equipment to be linked electronically:
(POCT) will have telecommunication capabilities...with direct links to medical

informatics systems and physicians providing real-time tele-healthcare (Leary,
2010:453).
As per recent trends in micro-nano technologies, it is envisioned that future POCT
equipment will continue to decrease in equipment size.
The spatial impact of introducing POCT equipment has been twofold across hospitals.
The first spatial impact is area reduction for placing testing machines. This trend
responds directly to smaller portable and handheld medical equipment. This outcome
leads to a second spatial impact which is driven by the decentralisation of pathology
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testing. This trend has created ‘a paradigm shift from the central laboratory’ to beyond
the Pathology department (Fermann & Suyama, 2002:401). Since 1999, the spatial
boundaries of Pathology have witnessed the redistribution of laboratory spaces
throughout the hospital. For example, new POCT rooms are being incorporated into
CCU and OT departments in the latest PFI Royal Liverpool University Hospital (2013).
Anticipations for spatial change are for Pathology spaces to evolve as new POCT
products become available in response to micro-nano technologies. For example, the
next generation of POCT equipment will become networked and require extra office
type spaces for pathologists to download information for clinical diagnoses.
Figure 7.3 Left: Portable (handheld) blood analyzer i-STAT System which provides
real-time, lab-quality results in minutes (Rios et. al., 2012:7). Right: Full size, floor
standing blood analyser (Nottingham Spirk, 2012).
A driving factor of POCT is ‘LOC’ technology. This is formed upon biotechnology
developments that are created from new genetic knowledge. LOC technology became
available commercially in 1999. This revolutionary event has miniaturised medical
technology considerably since 2000 (Andersson & van bed Berg, 2004:44):
Over 1000 patents have been issued in the USA alone for 10-year period 2000–2009.
The application fields of analytical miniaturized devices have been clearly expanded
(Rios et. al., 2012:6).
To exemplify the recent trend in medical technology size reduction, Figure 7.3 pictures
a portable (handheld) POCT machine with its comparable full size floor standing testing
equipment. Both emergency tests and large batch samples would have been run on the
same large blood analyser prior the invention of LOC technology. Currently, LOC
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technology offers clinical options which are supported by alternative spatial
requirements.
The aim of future LOC development is micro-miniaturisation. The goal is to create
portable technologies through the use of nano-biosensors. Applications of this
technology are becoming marketable already. For example, a baby-grow suit called
Babyglow changes fabric colour in response to a baby’s high temperature (2012).
During the course of the study, continuous patient monitoring devices have reached a
sophisticated level of diagnostics where fabrics embedded with nanoparticles are able to
monitor patient vital signs (Leary, 2010:453; Stylios, 2005:S12). For example,
VivoMetrics Lifeshirt System3 has adapted LOC technology to allow doctors to monitor
patients’ real-time health remotely (Combs, 2006:1309). This LOC’s potentiality is
wide ranging, particularly for paramedic products. A novel μPAD fluid technology is
emerging that will assist with developing LOCs by providing bio-analyses with ‘little or
no external supporting equipment or power’ (Rios et. al., 2012:7). This ET will hugely
reduce the size and weight of future medical equipment but, fundamentally, forms the
basis of the predictions of Kurzweil and Kaku for future ubiquitous technologies.
The latest concept for advanced LOC technology is to implant a chip under the skin.
This is the basic principle for ‘laboratory-in-a-cell’ (LIC) technology:
To perform complex biochemical operations, and to employ advanced micro- and

nanotechnological tools to access and analyse this laboratory and to interface it with
the outside world (Andersson & van bed Berg, 2004:44).
Theoretically, LICs will produce instant diagnostic results while dispensing targeted
drugs simultaneously. The outcome will control patients with ongoing chronic
conditions to no longer suffer from chronic-acute attacks (Freitas Jr., 2005:329). The
3
Ventura, California – is a multichannel cardiopulmonary digital recorder that can be worn 24 hours a
day and monitored remotely. Received FDA approval in 2002.
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department in which LICs will be implanted initially will remain debateable for some
time. The thesis suggests this medical process will take place in minor op rooms (OPD)
or OT rooms during neurological implantations. One major spatial implication to result
from this preventative care medical technology will be the reduction of assessment areas
in A&E. LICs will reduce the large patient numbers from being admitted to A&E, thus,
relieving the need for observation and monitoring areas for chronic-acute cases.
(iii) Molecular engineering: Molecular engineering is the third biotechnology trend
anticipated to revolutionise current medical practice. Three main areas of growth
include genetic testing, gene therapy and cloning. Most of these biotechnology
disciplines relate to long-term and preventative care which will impact spatially on
OPDs, Pathology and Oncology departments. Aside the future treatment and curing of
genetic or acquired diseases, cloning will be practiced upon UAT patients admitted for
emergency care. Cloning is classified into two categories of reproductive and
therapeutic cloning4. Reproductive cloning will not be a reality before 2050 due to
ethical challenges. In contrast, therapeutic cloning promises to create self-healing and
repair materials based on new self-assembling nanotechnologies. Hybrid bio-devices
will assist with developing tissue engineering and organ development. Using
microtechnology for 3D body scanning, precise details for new hip and knee
replacements will replicate body parts, such as, bones, artificial veins and neuron cells
(Combs, 2006:1309-10; Cui, 2005:16). Significantly is the predicted timescales for the
realisation of cloning techniques. ‘Commercially viable solutions of such products are
thought to be 5-10 years away’ (Stylios, 2005:S8). However, with The Lancet recording
its first successful windpipe transplant, its otolaryngology surgeon Martin Birchall
argues:
4
Reproductive cloning is completed within humans. Therapeutic cloning is conducted within laboratory
conditions.
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This will transform the way we think about surgery. In 20 years, the commonest
operations will be regenerative procedures to replace organs and tissues (Laurance,
2008:2104)
Similarly, orthopaedic consultant Philip Chapman-Sheath at the Spire Southampton
Hospital (2011) had re-grown a patient’s knee successfully by stitching on laboratory
grown cartilage cells to the patient’s dysfunctional joint (Adams, 2011). Based on these
successful treatments and professional forecasts, the study anticipates cloning to be
infiltrating into general medical practice and hospitals by 2015. The spatial implications
for incorporating cloning techniques will affect Pathology, OT, Imaging and A&E
trauma sections as described next.
7.2.2 Spatial analysis of future biotechnology implementation
Predicted biotechnology trends portray a radical departure from current medical practice
many of which will relate to preventative and long-term care. This section outlines the
spatial implications projected to occur in a variety of acute-care departments.
One purpose of pharmacogenomics is to eradicate the side-effects of mass produced
pharmaceuticals. ‘Custom made drugs’ will evolve future clinical demands by reducing
adverse drug reactions. This clinical change will relieve the pressure on overcrowded
NHS A&E spaces by reducing A&E patient admissions. This anticipated decline in
service demands will be supported by newly introduced LIC technology. As a result,
future demands for patient observation and treatment spaces in A&E will subside. This
predicted spatial trend contradicts the current medical planning models; acute
assessment ward type areas are being added to A&E departments to cater for 24-36 hour
chronic-acute patient monitoring. This new development creates medical planning
problems by adding extra services, space and flows to existing very congested and
expensive clinical hospital floors. Additionally, the use of single patient bedrooms at the
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A&E level increases inter-floor structural complexities as column design layouts for
higher floor levels clash with the new cellular bedroom design below. This new
problematic medical planning model is a response to what is envisioned to be a short-
lived medical demand. Therefore, for the sake of reducing in-patient beds to achieve
present healthcare policies, the thesis identifies the current A&E medical planning
model as incompatible with future medical ETs and practice. This scenario causes
concern as it echoes the historic events of post-1980s Nucleus hospitals where inflexible
hospitals were incapable of responding spatially to the aggressive pace of evolving
medical technologies and models of care.
The complexity of surgical operations being practised in A&E trauma bays is
anticipated to expand clinically as molecular engineering progresses. For example,
organ transplants in A&E will become a desired model of care as the minimisation of
patient movement in critical conditions is of utmost priority. Therefore, larger enclosed
sterile high-spec trauma rooms will become a future necessity in A&E to cater for
increased trauma patient transplants. This outcome raises two critical medical planning
issues. The first issue is the need to transform trauma spaces from open bay areas into
high-tech OT rooms. This will challenge the concept of many NHS hospitals’
centralised OT department but suggests that the future functionality and spatial
boundaries of A&Es are set to evolve. This study argues that this medical planning
revolution has commenced already with A&E’s newly introduced adjacent Satellite
Imaging department. The second critical issue refers to the structural design of A&E’s
future medical planning model. The structural design of A&Es will need large column
free spaces to operate as trauma surgical suites effectively. Therefore, the thesis stresses
structural foresight future A&E expansion strategies must be considered in current A&E
and whole hospital medical planning models.
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The incorporation of anticipated biotechnologies will drive Pathology and Pharmacy
areas to increase in size from their current HBN standards in the following ways.
Findings reveal that new pharmaceutical manufacturing will require additional aseptic
clean rooms. This change in production will demand a much larger Pharmacy
department based on the spatial guidance from HBNs. As much as 400sqm of extra
space would be required for only a minimal amount of new biotechnology procedures.
For Pathology, new cloning techniques will require space for larger floor standing
equipment and extra walk-in fridges and freezers for storing cloned tissues and organs.
Furthermore, additional laboratory spaces and offices, necessary for visiting medical
team members, will add area to each laboratory while introducing new medical planning
relationships between clinical and laboratory areas.
Since this study commenced, LOC technology has been realised in the form of POCT
equipment. Spatial implications exist already in dedicated POCT NHS hospital rooms
(10sqm each). Based on short-term predictions for micro-nano and LOC technology
progression, POCT equipment is anticipated to decrease in size while becoming more
plentiful throughout all acute departments. Versatile LOC technology was shown to
have a diverse range of medical possibilities. Wearable continuous monitors and LIC
technology both have the potential to challenge the existence of certain current medical
equipment. For example, ECG equipment could be made obsolete once ‘medical
jackets’ are introduced into mainstream hospital practice. The spatial outcome will de-
clutter hospital spaces, such as, triage, A&E observation and treatment rooms. In
response, patient areas will be observed as less clinical but raises the option for rooms
to become slightly smaller in size. However, these developments only represent the
beginning of events that will witness technological micro-miniaturisation. Findings
reveal that medical technology sizes are anticipated to decrease with the aim of
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Overall, UCLH hospitals were rebuilt three times over the past 170 years. Each new
building was relocated due to an absence of spatial adaptability. New sites were found
nearby precedent hospital buildings to become part of UCL’s expanding university
grounds. Within the current campus, UCLH exists as a dense urban block but no scope
exists for future expansion as its footprint covers its hospital site completely. With a
history of relocations that resulted from spatial failure of urban block typologies, this
study considers UCLH’s future to be one of relocation unless a 1:1000 medical planning
solution is employed for future sustainability.
6.6 Analysis of hospital case studies
A combined spatial analysis completes Chapter 6’s hospital case study investigation.
All case study high-tech areas are graphed in Figure 6.22. Data identifies three trends:
(i) 1832-1950: A clustered pattern exists of 2-3%. This consistent data maps the
minimal use of medical technology in 19th and early-20th century hospitals
(ii) 1950-2000: Rates are spaced randomly between 25% and 66.4%. Results are
inconclusive but all case studies experienced spatial growth in high-tech areas
(iii) 2010/12: While a scattered range of rates is recorded (35-74.4%), all rates
increased immensely from a 3% average in 1950.
The study concludes from quantitative findings that high-tech hospital space has
increased greatly since 1950 which correlates with Chapter 5’s measured growth rate for
medical technology progression. This simultaneous progression demonstrates an
interconnected relationship exists between technological innovation and hospital spatial
change. However, a standard growth rate for hospital space was determined
inconclusive based on the inconsistencies amongst hospital age, GBA and hospital
typology type.
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Figure 6.22 Development rates of case study high-tech areas (1832-2010/12).
Left: Figure 6.23 Area/sqm for case studies high-tech areas (1832-1900).
Right: Figure 6.23a Area/sqm for case studies high-tech areas (1950-2010/12).
A second quantitative analysis examines the relationship between all case studies’ high-
tech areas (see Figure 6.23-23a). Interestingly, despite variable GBAs for each
measured typology, a clustered pattern emerged for post-1900 high-tech areas. For
example, the average high-tech space was 1,100sqm in 1950 while current high-tech
areas average between 25-30,000sqm (excluding the RLH which accounts for the UK’s
largest NHS hospital). On average, an extra 21,900sqm of high-tech space has been
added to London’s acute hospitals since 1950 - the same period when hospital medical
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planning changed radically and became complex. Furthermore, this data quantifies the
spatial challenges that NHS hospitals faced in the later 20th century. On this basis, this
study determines; medical technology has been and remains a dominant driver of NHS
hospital space.
Case study 3:
Case study 1: Case study 2: Case study 4:
Chelsea &
RLH St. Thomas’ UCLH
Westminster
Organisation Voluntary/
Royal/D&B Voluntary/D&B General/PFI
& process PFI
Typology
type:
Single pavilion Pavilion,
previous Single block Single block
Block urban block
Campus with Campus with
current Urban block Urban block
urban block urban blocks
1840 Y X X X/Rebuilt
1870 Y Y Y Y
1900 Y Y Y X/Rebuilt
1950 Y Y X/Rebuilt Y
Y/Rebuilt on X/Rebuilt on X/Rebuilt on
2000/10 Y
same site new site new site
Future Yes/maybe Yes No Maybe
Y = on existing site X = on previous site
Table 6.2 Time line for case studies.
A final analysis charts case study data in Table 6.2 where recurring issues emerge to
form three significant trends.
(i) Organisation, as previously addressed, drives the opening and closure of hospitals.
From this chapter’s exploration, both organisation and building processes emerge as not
implicating on hospital space formation. Of interest to this study is the impact
differences between PFI v D&B. As findings proved inconclusive within this study,
POE of PFI hospitals is required to measure this relationship.
(ii) The relocation of hospitals was acknowledged as relating to the spatial failure of
urban blocks forms. For example, the Chelsea and Westminster was rebuilt three times
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during the 20th century alone. This is an alarming rate for relocating and rebuilding a
hospital. Similarly, UCLH, as a single block typology, relocated on numerous occasions
but its 1906 typology seemed to survive the 20th century technological revolution.
Unfortunately, plans were unavailable to examine how this hospital coped with post-
1960s change but considering UCLH was one of first PFI hospitals, this study arrives at
one conclusion; UCLH desperately needed to be rebuilt from its inability to spatially
function, expand and adapt. Extraordinarily, the same medical planning model was
adopted for the latest UCLH building. This approach is considered unsustainable
drawing from the hospital’s track record of failed single block typologies and its
building’s current high amount of high-tech area. As all of these hospitals were urban
block typologies, this study determines; urban block typologies are inappropriate for
creating sustainable urban acute hospitals on restrictive sites.
(iii) The sustainability of hospitals is acknowledged to be delivered through campus
styled typologies. Two medical planning principles underpin the success of this
typology type. The first principle is the incorporation of UAS which provides flexible
space during on-going developments. The thesis identifies both St. Thomas’ and RLH’s
use of UAS as driving their success for over 120 years. This finding instigates another
concern for PFI hospitals as most were built exactly to or under the size of briefed areas.
As a result, the thesis is not confident about the durability of PFI urban blocks should
identified trends in this chapter be adhered to strictly. For example, the new twenty-
storey ‘matchbox-on-a-muffin’ RLH’s urban block raises concern is as this new
addition alters the hospital’s strategic medical planning model. However, as the PFI
block can utilise surrounding campus space, this building’s sustained future can be
directed as part of a campus wide strategy. This strategy represents, what the thesis
believes is, a second and essential medical planning principle; the necessary
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employment of 1:1000 medical planning solutions. The success of this principle was
shown to be fundamental in creating St. Thomas’ recent sustainability. Hence, the
thesis’ anticipation for neither the Chelsea and Westminster or UCLH to survive on
their existing hospital sites can be avoided by incorporating innovative medical
planning solutions at the urban level to reverse their urban block typology’s adaptability
status.
Chapter 6 examined medical technology’s influence upon hospital medical planning.
Quantitative assessments revealed: the rate of high-tech hospital space in post-1800
plans has grown immensely; the composition of post-1950 hospital space has been
altered greatly as relationships between medical technologies and space have evolved.
Contextually, growth was represented by thousands of sqm of new high-tech hospital
space but the outcome led to a critical revolution in medical planning history. The
accumulation of new high-tech space created a new ‘D&T’ component. Furthermore, as
high-tech space increased, medical planning relationships multiplied which required
whole new ways of medical planning. The spatial outcome was manifested
architecturally in the form of new hospital typologies, notably, the matchbox-on-a-
muffin type model. For some NHS hospitals, new medical planning challenges were so
vast and detrimental, that existing hospitals became obsolete where the only option
available was relocation and rebuilding. Collectively, the analysis of findings leads the
thesis to confirm; medical technology is a dominant driver of hospital medical planning.
This chapter’s quantitative findings support Chapter 4 and 5’s evidence while revealing
relevant medical planning principles for future hospital design. Of note, the computer
technology revolution greatly affected late-20th century hospitals that led to pressurised
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hospital space and the need for new medical planning models. This impact of medical
technology continues as experienced within current PFI NHS hospitals. At present,
financial problems are forcing NHS services to be consolidated at fewer locations. This
strategy escalates spatial pressures on existing PFI NHS hospitals. One example, results
from the Barts and the London Trust struggling to pay their NHS mortgages
(Randhawa, 2011:10). Consequently, services, such as A&E, were transferred from
non-PFI to their PFI NHS hospitals. The outcome is the demand for extra medical
technologies and the requirement for more hospital space. However, such changes were
unaccounted for spatially within PFI hospital designs. Other medical planning trends
identified in this study are liable to continue or re-appear. For example, a spatial
inability to respond to technological change is identified as an ongoing trend for urban
block spatial failure. This medical planning trend is of serious concern as this chapter’s
findings reveal, the current presence of high-tech space has never been so extensive in
NHS hospitals. Hence, knowledge revealed from the study is critical for understanding
the major spatial and medical planning problems that face future urban acute NHS
hospitals in order to plan for change.
To conclude Phase II’s exploration of hospital space and technology, objectives one and
two have been explored and met. Two conclusions are drawn:
(i) A relationship does exist between medical technology and hospital space
(ii) Medical technology is a dominant driver of hospital medical planning.
Based on these findings, and the rapid approach of ET realisation, it is necessary to
spatially prepare for what is anticipated to be a radical medical revolution. Le Corbusier
argues, without a good plan nothing exists. The impact of technological change on
future hospital space is explored next in Part III to identify key principles for creating
future medical planning and spatial solutions.
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“Sometime in the next thirty years, very quietly one day we will cease to be the brightest
things on earth”
James McAlear1
1
President of Gentronix Laboratories (Kaku, 1998:70).
Chapter 7
7.0 Introduction
Phase III of the research is dedicated to understanding anticipated medical ETs in a bid
to visualise future urban acute NHS hospital space. Chapter 7 is focused on achieving
the third thesis objective. This is to investigate the impact of predicted medical ETs on
future UAT treatments and associated spaces. The chapter begins by defining ET
principles, the factors driving technology success and the degree of certainty for ET.
This is followed by a brief outline of ET’s current position within healthcare before
three prevalent medical ETs are examined. The exploration of biotechnology, robotics
and cyborgization is underpinned by two pertinent questions: (i) how will medical ETs
change medical practice?; (ii) what trends emerge to assist with visioning the future
design of hospital space? Thereafter, chapter findings are discussed collectively with
respect to their spatial implications. Chapter 7 closes with key trends identified that
underpin Chapter 8’s scenario creation.
As per Moore’s Law, existing computer technology is at the commencement of an
immense new technological revolution (see Appendix G.1). Technology progression is
anticipated to be so great that James McAlear argues we will cease to be the brightest
things on earth in the not so distant future. Part of this technological revolution
concerns changes to medical practice. This chapter’s main focus is to understand the
differences between current and future medical technologies. ET theoretical and
technical information is documented extensively within a plethora of post-1960s
scientific works. Delivery of anticipated new medical treatments is not so evident from
literature. Consequently, medical planners are challenged ‘to conceive and render
spaces that can accommodate these revolutions’ (Porter O’Grady, 2007: 17).
Undoubtedly, the future cannot be predicted but optional futures can be proposed. This
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chapter’s exploration and findings assist with forming alternative medical planning
solutions for future hospital space.
This section describes the fundamental differences between existing and future
technologies. This information supports designers with visualising the potentiality of
ETs. The main component of differentiation is the scale in which technology is
produced presently. Two scales dominate ET production: (i) microtechnology; (ii)
nanotechnology.
(i) Microtechnology
Microtechnology, or micro-electro mechanical systems (MEMS), is defined as:
A class of devices typically made from silicon or employing it in the fabrication

process; devices integrate electronics and mechanical devices onto a single substrate
with typical feature sizes in the 1- to 50-μm range (Peterson, 2004:17).
Microtechnology creates matter at the micrometer scale which is slightly larger than
‘nano’ scale production. This is calculated as ‘one thousand nanometres or one
thousandth of a millimetre’ (House of Commons Science and Technology Committee
(HCSTC), 2004:7). One of microtechnology’s most significant achievements was the
invention of the integrated circuit (IC). This has assisted with the fundamental
progression of technology since the 1960s. MEMS have dramatically improved
technology performance while reducing costs simultaneously through sophisticated
mechanical systems produced on chip technology (Burtis, 1995:215). ‘Commercially
exploited for many years, for example, in the production of ever smaller electronic
devices and more powerful small computers’, MEMS remain a developing technology
with anticipated potentialities (HCSTC, 2004:7). Significantly, MEMS offer a wide
range of possibilities as most ICs and micro-machinery required to work at this scale
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and the nano scale are produced at the microtechnology level. Current MEMS
applications include micro-mechanical devices composed in products, such as,
pacemakers, blood pressure monitors and drug delivery systems (Prime Faraday
Partnership, 2002:6).
(ii) Nanotechnology
The conceptual principles of nanotechnology originate from Feynman’s There’s Plenty
of Room at the Bottom. However, ambiguities in defining nanotechnology circulated
throughout the scientific industry until recently (see Appendix G.2-3). A universal
standard for defining nanotechnology was defined by the International Standardization
Organization (ISO) Technical Specifications:
80004-1:2010).
At present, the ISO specifies nanotechnology as:
Intentionally produced materials that have one or more dimensions on a scale

between about 1 and 100 nm (Hischier&Walser, 2012:271) (see Figure 7.1).
Figure 7.1 Scale of nanotechnology from a medical perspective.
2007:20). As argued by Dr. Jerome Glen:
Nanotechnology is more of an approach to engineering than a science (Glenn,

2006:129).
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Nanotechnology is already a multi-billion pound worldwide market and is incorporated
into thousands of products across numerous industries, such as, healthcare, electronics,
and materials (Morose, 2010:285).
There are two distinct approaches to fabrication which sets microtechnology and
nanotechnology apart. Both fabrications need not be detailed here but their
compositions, and section findings, are tabled in Appendices G.4-5. From this data, the
study determines that the difference in technology type and scale are irrelevant to this
thesis’ focus on hospital space as both technologies share common outcomes and goals:
Both approaches can work within both biological and nonbiological systems,
bridging important divides between the biological and nonbiological worlds (Horton
& Khan, 2006:43).
Suffice to say, the approach taken within the thesis identifies nanotechnology as a
slowly progressing technology while microtechnology continues to strive towards
reaching its technological potential. Nevertheless, over the coming decades, progress
from both types of technology will offer great medical changes under the technological
umbrella of medical ETs.
The same companies involved in developing micro-nano technologies conduct current
R&D of medical technologies. This R&D relationship is allowing the healthcare sector
to be one of the first industries to benefit from anticipated ETs (Sahoo et. al., 2007:21).
Four drivers for technology success are considered in this study to bring perspective to
predicted medical ETs: (i) finance; (ii) time; (iii) consumers; (iv) hazards and ethics.
Detailed in Appendix G.6, findings conclude that finance will not impede upon the
long-term achievements of ET progression. This perspective is supported by an ongoing
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trend of technology growth that defies economic recessions. Furthermore, medical
technologies have enormous potential as computer expert Andy Kessler argues, ‘silicon
means smaller, cheaper, faster, better’ technologies (Kessler, 2006:183). Additionally,
any medical ETs that can reduce the cost of staff salaries is worth developing to
decrease the NHS’s largest expense. Alternatively, timescales associated within
nanotechnology production need to be reduced to allow for ETs to become affordable.
However, with medical ETs requiring health and ethical approvals, time and costs will
be added which will drive the success or failure of all medical ETs. On this basis,
biotechnology, robotics and cybernetics were chosen for this study’s exploration as their
technology is predicted to be fairly matured by 2025. Therefore, a relationship diagram
for future medical ETs discussed in the study is established in Figure 7.2.
Figure 7.2 Hierarchy diagram of medical ET relationships as per Figure 3.1.
7.1.3 ETs in healthcare
The role of ETs in healthcare is twofold: to improve the delivery of care; increase staff
productivity. While the medical field is forecast to benefit greatly from future
technology developments, ETs have a presence in hospitals already through the use of
microtechnologies. For example, existing products include activity monitors,
chemotherapy and pacemakers as well as insulin pumps, hearing aids and needless
injectors. Existing technologies will continue to develop and produce faster and cheaper
equipment most likely to be smaller in size based on this study’s identified trend for
medical technology size development. Other existing ET equipment includes robotic
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machines, such as, Stereotaxis which scans 3D human body maps. Of note is this
machine’s ability to be operated by only one not-so-skilled person. This new ET
replaces the need for three very expensive doctors. This equipment typifies how medical
ETs can be advantageous, particularly to hospitals where staff and fiscal shortages
persist. At present, Stereotaxis equipment is installed at UCLH and the Royal Brompton
Hospital, London, highlighting medical ET’s descent into NHS hospitals.
While not covered within this study, IT has become a vital component of hospital
technologies by transforming the delivery of NHS healthcare since the 1980s. Digital x-
rays, instant medical records and wireless technologies, which allow for quicker
diagnoses, represent the type of interactive tools available to clinicians currently. Future
healthcare delivery will be improved as a result of IT progression. The spatial
implications of IT are a discussion outside the scope of this study.
The emergence of nanomedicine:
Offers ever more exciting promises of new diagnosis and cures. It has been defined
as the monitoring, repair, construction and control of human biological systems at the
molecular level (Chan: 2006:218).
Through an ability to repair, renew and replace human tissues and organs, ‘recent
advances suggest that nanotechnology will have a profound impact on disease
prevention, diagnosis, and treatment’ (Sahoo et. al, 2006:22). So positive, physicist
Robert Freitas Jr. claims ‘in the first half of the 21st century, nanomedicine should
eliminate virtually all common diseases of the 20th century’ (Freitas, 2005: 244):
In an array of new medical devices....it is hoped that development of these

nanodevices can help physicians to locate the problem areas in the body more
precisely (Chan, 2006:220).
This is the fundamental difference between existing and future technologies which
encourages ‘most drug companies in the world to engage in nanotechnology’ (Chan,
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2006:218). Basically, the new concept for medical practice is located at the atomic
level. In brief, technologies need to transform to be able to assist clinicians with
working at an atomic level. Generally, nanomedicine is in its early stages of production
in comparison with other industries. Limited examples exist within the medical field as
only the testing of products has been accomplished. This leaves human clinical trials
and full medical approvals to be achieved. To date, findings have been positive:
The results of the relevant studies confirmed the potential of nanostructures in

regenerating different tissues (such as bone, cartilage, bladder, nerves and vessels)
(Engel et. al., 2008:42).
Realistically, Freitas suggests that ‘the greatest power of nanomedicine will emerge,
perhaps in the 2020s’ (Freitas, 2005: 244). This study believes that progress will be
witnessed initially by the medical ETs discussed in the following sections.
7.2 Biotechnology: Definition and background
As per the ‘UN Convention on Biological Diversity’,
Biotechnology means any technological application that uses biological systems,

living organisms, or derivatives thereof, to make or modify products or processes for
specific use (United Nations, 1992:3).
Biotechnology is not a novel invention. The centuries old manufacturing of beer, cheese
and milk are all products of ‘biotechnology’. Recently, many industries, such as,
agriculture and the chemical industry, have flourished from applying biotechnologies
(Colwell, 2002:216-7). Consisting of sub fields, red biotechnology is associated with
medical productivity2. This incorporates the manufacturing of antibiotics and genomic
manipulation:
Using GMOs to produce vaccines and biopharmaceuticals, tissue cloning to produce

organ replacements or to repair damaged tissues (Black et. al., 2010:16).
Historical medical biotechnology events include Jenner’s smallpox discovery, 19th
century research conducted by Pasteur and Lister and the revolutionary discovery of
2
See Glossary.
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Watson and Crick’s DNA double helix structure (1953). Of note was the early-20th
century pharmaceutical revolution which has transformed lives since the 1940s. Patient
survival from surgery and vaccine discoveries represents biotechnology’s
‘modernization of an old technology’ (Colwell, 2002:216-7). Recently, microchip
technology has developed the field of genetic engineering whereby more vaccines and
antibiotics have been developed, such as, interferon to progress the speed of non-
invasive treatments. The benefits of modern biotechnology allow for existing medicines
to be produced easier and cheaper, such as, clotting factors for haemophiliacs or fertility
drugs for expectant couples (Walsh, 2003:4). Overall, biotechnology has revolutionised
medical practice and the function of hospitals. During its development, biotechnology
events have affected NHS hospital space in different manners. Related examples,
previously addressed in Chapter 5, include the spatial impact of introducing syringe
equipment and the boom in post-1940s pharmaceutical production.
The potential for medical biotechnologies is considered certain as productivity works at
the molecular, rather than, the atomic level. Three anticipated biotechnology trends
emerge as significant as their impact will revolutionise existing healthcare practices. In
doing so, changes to medical technologies and practices will challenge the existence of
many UAT hospital spaces.
(i) Pharmaceuticals: Future developments in biotechnology are anticipated to produce
new ‘custom made drugs’ and ‘drug delivery systems’. Briefly, the outcome will create
a radical new agenda of personalised medicine. Changes will be made possible by the
growth in physiological and anatomical molecular knowledge. Both ETs will be driven
by an emerging new medical field:
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Pharmacogenomics is the study of the genetic basis for the differences between
individuals in responses to drugs in order to tailor drug prescriptions to individual
genotype (Destenaves & Thomas, 2000:440).
Presently, the pharmaceutical industry maintains a ‘one-drug-fits-all’ mentality (Sadee,
2011:2). For example, ‘interferon B is only efficient in one out of three cases of
multiple sclerosis’ (Destenaves & Thomas, 2000:440). One medical detriment from
mass-produced drugs is patient adverse reactions. This clinical outcome directly affects
A&E space due to the high demand of chronic acute patient admissions. For example,
In the United States alone, it is estimated that adverse effects are the fourth to sixth
major cause of death and that hospitalizations due to adverse drug reactions cost
from $US 30 billion to $US 150 billion a year (Destenaves & Thomas, 2000:440).
This financial statistic equates to over 100,000 patient deaths per year (Schmitz et. al.,
2001:43). Therefore, the necessity for custom-made-drugs to be realised is driven by
numerous factors that aim towards minimising patient mortalities. Contextually, the
Royal Society predicts (2005) the realisation of pharmacogenomics is ‘at least 15-20
years away’ (Boon & Moors, 2008:1916). This anticipation suggests that hospital
spatial implications are set to commence by the 2020s. While descriptions of
personalised drug equipment are not clear from literature, as a medical planner, this
study’s prediction for Pharmacy is a spatial increase in size. This prediction is based on
a future requirement for extra machines to produce a wider range of pharmaceutical
products. Each new machine will require its own large sterile room and add substantial
amounts of area to aseptic suites. Additionally, extra storage for manufactured products
will need to be considered, particularly for pharmacy robots where their size is driven
directly by a hospital’s drug supply volumes. Alternatively, the delivery of ‘custom
made drugs’ will be conducted through a number of new drug delivery systems ‘such as
nanospheres, nanocapsules, microemulsions, macromolecular complexes and ceramic
nanoparticles’ (Stylios, 2005:S7). Methods of administrating target delivered drugs are
predicted to remain as per current medical practice. This encompasses topical,
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inhalation, oral and transmucosal medical processes that can be administered in existing
hospital spaces.
(ii) Point-of-care testing (POCT) and Lab-on-a-chip (LOC): The second emerging
biotechnology trend relates to patient monitoring and testing. The first of these is point-
of-care testing (POCT) which the Royal College of Pathologists define:
An analytical test undertaken by a member of the healthcare team or by a non-

medical individual in a setting distinct from a normal hospital laboratory (Lee,
2004:2).
POCT is conducted upon body fluids, exhaled breath and cardiac markers. They are
distinguished from other pathology equipment by their recent capability to produce test
results remotely within an hour (Kumar & Arrowsmith, 2006:341). In 1999, POCT was
a concept anticipated to arrive shortly (Borriello, 1999:298). By 2010, biotechnology
advancements have produced almost real-time molecular devices that are operated in all
hospital departments. Current POCT diagnostic equipment ‘encompasses a wide variety
of testing media ranging from simple reagent strips to sophisticated handheld and
bench-top analysers’ (see Appendix G.7). A desired goal for future POCT is for
equipment to be linked electronically:
(POCT) will have telecommunication capabilities...with direct links to medical

informatics systems and physicians providing real-time tele-healthcare (Leary,
2010:453).
As per recent trends in micro-nano technologies, it is envisioned that future POCT
equipment will continue to decrease in equipment size.
The spatial impact of introducing POCT equipment has been twofold across hospitals.
The first spatial impact is area reduction for placing testing machines. This trend
responds directly to smaller portable and handheld medical equipment. This outcome
leads to a second spatial impact which is driven by the decentralisation of pathology
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testing. This trend has created ‘a paradigm shift from the central laboratory’ to beyond
the Pathology department (Fermann & Suyama, 2002:401). Since 1999, the spatial
boundaries of Pathology have witnessed the redistribution of laboratory spaces
throughout the hospital. For example, new POCT rooms are being incorporated into
CCU and OT departments in the latest PFI Royal Liverpool University Hospital (2013).
Anticipations for spatial change are for Pathology spaces to evolve as new POCT
products become available in response to micro-nano technologies. For example, the
next generation of POCT equipment will become networked and require extra office
type spaces for pathologists to download information for clinical diagnoses.
Figure 7.3 Left: Portable (handheld) blood analyzer i-STAT System which provides
real-time, lab-quality results in minutes (Rios et. al., 2012:7). Right: Full size, floor
standing blood analyser (Nottingham Spirk, 2012).
A driving factor of POCT is ‘LOC’ technology. This is formed upon biotechnology
developments that are created from new genetic knowledge. LOC technology became
available commercially in 1999. This revolutionary event has miniaturised medical
technology considerably since 2000 (Andersson & van bed Berg, 2004:44):
Over 1000 patents have been issued in the USA alone for 10-year period 2000–2009.
The application fields of analytical miniaturized devices have been clearly expanded
(Rios et. al., 2012:6).
To exemplify the recent trend in medical technology size reduction, Figure 7.3 pictures
a portable (handheld) POCT machine with its comparable full size floor standing testing
equipment. Both emergency tests and large batch samples would have been run on the
same large blood analyser prior the invention of LOC technology. Currently, LOC
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technology offers clinical options which are supported by alternative spatial
requirements.
The aim of future LOC development is micro-miniaturisation. The goal is to create
portable technologies through the use of nano-biosensors. Applications of this
technology are becoming marketable already. For example, a baby-grow suit called
Babyglow changes fabric colour in response to a baby’s high temperature (2012).
During the course of the study, continuous patient monitoring devices have reached a
sophisticated level of diagnostics where fabrics embedded with nanoparticles are able to
monitor patient vital signs (Leary, 2010:453; Stylios, 2005:S12). For example,
VivoMetrics Lifeshirt System3 has adapted LOC technology to allow doctors to monitor
patients’ real-time health remotely (Combs, 2006:1309). This LOC’s potentiality is
wide ranging, particularly for paramedic products. A novel μPAD fluid technology is
emerging that will assist with developing LOCs by providing bio-analyses with ‘little or
no external supporting equipment or power’ (Rios et. al., 2012:7). This ET will hugely
reduce the size and weight of future medical equipment but, fundamentally, forms the
basis of the predictions of Kurzweil and Kaku for future ubiquitous technologies.
The latest concept for advanced LOC technology is to implant a chip under the skin.
This is the basic principle for ‘laboratory-in-a-cell’ (LIC) technology:
To perform complex biochemical operations, and to employ advanced micro- and

nanotechnological tools to access and analyse this laboratory and to interface it with
the outside world (Andersson & van bed Berg, 2004:44).
Theoretically, LICs will produce instant diagnostic results while dispensing targeted
drugs simultaneously. The outcome will control patients with ongoing chronic
conditions to no longer suffer from chronic-acute attacks (Freitas Jr., 2005:329). The
3
Ventura, California – is a multichannel cardiopulmonary digital recorder that can be worn 24 hours a
day and monitored remotely. Received FDA approval in 2002.
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department in which LICs will be implanted initially will remain debateable for some
time. The thesis suggests this medical process will take place in minor op rooms (OPD)
or OT rooms during neurological implantations. One major spatial implication to result
from this preventative care medical technology will be the reduction of assessment areas
in A&E. LICs will reduce the large patient numbers from being admitted to A&E, thus,
relieving the need for observation and monitoring areas for chronic-acute cases.
(iii) Molecular engineering: Molecular engineering is the third biotechnology trend
anticipated to revolutionise current medical practice. Three main areas of growth
include genetic testing, gene therapy and cloning. Most of these biotechnology
disciplines relate to long-term and preventative care which will impact spatially on
OPDs, Pathology and Oncology departments. Aside the future treatment and curing of
genetic or acquired diseases, cloning will be practiced upon UAT patients admitted for
emergency care. Cloning is classified into two categories of reproductive and
therapeutic cloning4. Reproductive cloning will not be a reality before 2050 due to
ethical challenges. In contrast, therapeutic cloning promises to create self-healing and
repair materials based on new self-assembling nanotechnologies. Hybrid bio-devices
will assist with developing tissue engineering and organ development. Using
microtechnology for 3D body scanning, precise details for new hip and knee
replacements will replicate body parts, such as, bones, artificial veins and neuron cells
(Combs, 2006:1309-10; Cui, 2005:16). Significantly is the predicted timescales for the
realisation of cloning techniques. ‘Commercially viable solutions of such products are
thought to be 5-10 years away’ (Stylios, 2005:S8). However, with The Lancet recording
its first successful windpipe transplant, its otolaryngology surgeon Martin Birchall
argues:
4
Reproductive cloning is completed within humans. Therapeutic cloning is conducted within laboratory
conditions.
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This will transform the way we think about surgery. In 20 years, the commonest
operations will be regenerative procedures to replace organs and tissues (Laurance,
2008:2104)
Similarly, orthopaedic consultant Philip Chapman-Sheath at the Spire Southampton
Hospital (2011) had re-grown a patient’s knee successfully by stitching on laboratory
grown cartilage cells to the patient’s dysfunctional joint (Adams, 2011). Based on these
successful treatments and professional forecasts, the study anticipates cloning to be
infiltrating into general medical practice and hospitals by 2015. The spatial implications
for incorporating cloning techniques will affect Pathology, OT, Imaging and A&E
trauma sections as described next.
7.2.2 Spatial analysis of future biotechnology implementation
Predicted biotechnology trends portray a radical departure from current medical practice
many of which will relate to preventative and long-term care. This section outlines the
spatial implications projected to occur in a variety of acute-care departments.
One purpose of pharmacogenomics is to eradicate the side-effects of mass produced
pharmaceuticals. ‘Custom made drugs’ will evolve future clinical demands by reducing
adverse drug reactions. This clinical change will relieve the pressure on overcrowded
NHS A&E spaces by reducing A&E patient admissions. This anticipated decline in
service demands will be supported by newly introduced LIC technology. As a result,
future demands for patient observation and treatment spaces in A&E will subside. This
predicted spatial trend contradicts the current medical planning models; acute
assessment ward type areas are being added to A&E departments to cater for 24-36 hour
chronic-acute patient monitoring. This new development creates medical planning
problems by adding extra services, space and flows to existing very congested and
expensive clinical hospital floors. Additionally, the use of single patient bedrooms at the
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A&E level increases inter-floor structural complexities as column design layouts for
higher floor levels clash with the new cellular bedroom design below. This new
problematic medical planning model is a response to what is envisioned to be a short-
lived medical demand. Therefore, for the sake of reducing in-patient beds to achieve
present healthcare policies, the thesis identifies the current A&E medical planning
model as incompatible with future medical ETs and practice. This scenario causes
concern as it echoes the historic events of post-1980s Nucleus hospitals where inflexible
hospitals were incapable of responding spatially to the aggressive pace of evolving
medical technologies and models of care.
The complexity of surgical operations being practised in A&E trauma bays is
anticipated to expand clinically as molecular engineering progresses. For example,
organ transplants in A&E will become a desired model of care as the minimisation of
patient movement in critical conditions is of utmost priority. Therefore, larger enclosed
sterile high-spec trauma rooms will become a future necessity in A&E to cater for
increased trauma patient transplants. This outcome raises two critical medical planning
issues. The first issue is the need to transform trauma spaces from open bay areas into
high-tech OT rooms. This will challenge the concept of many NHS hospitals’
centralised OT department but suggests that the future functionality and spatial
boundaries of A&Es are set to evolve. This study argues that this medical planning
revolution has commenced already with A&E’s newly introduced adjacent Satellite
Imaging department. The second critical issue refers to the structural design of A&E’s
future medical planning model. The structural design of A&Es will need large column
free spaces to operate as trauma surgical suites effectively. Therefore, the thesis stresses
structural foresight future A&E expansion strategies must be considered in current A&E
and whole hospital medical planning models.
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The incorporation of anticipated biotechnologies will drive Pathology and Pharmacy
areas to increase in size from their current HBN standards in the following ways.
Findings reveal that new pharmaceutical manufacturing will require additional aseptic
clean rooms. This change in production will demand a much larger Pharmacy
department based on the spatial guidance from HBNs. As much as 400sqm of extra
space would be required for only a minimal amount of new biotechnology procedures.
For Pathology, new cloning techniques will require space for larger floor standing
equipment and extra walk-in fridges and freezers for storing cloned tissues and organs.
Furthermore, additional laboratory spaces and offices, necessary for visiting medical
team members, will add area to each laboratory while introducing new medical planning
relationships between clinical and laboratory areas.
Since this study commenced, LOC technology has been realised in the form of POCT
equipment. Spatial implications exist already in dedicated POCT NHS hospital rooms
(10sqm each). Based on short-term predictions for micro-nano and LOC technology
progression, POCT equipment is anticipated to decrease in size while becoming more
plentiful throughout all acute departments. Versatile LOC technology was shown to
have a diverse range of medical possibilities. Wearable continuous monitors and LIC
technology both have the potential to challenge the existence of certain current medical
equipment. For example, ECG equipment could be made obsolete once ‘medical
jackets’ are introduced into mainstream hospital practice. The spatial outcome will de-
clutter hospital spaces, such as, triage, A&E observation and treatment rooms. In
response, patient areas will be observed as less clinical but raises the option for rooms
to become slightly smaller in size. However, these developments only represent the
beginning of events that will witness technological micro-miniaturisation. Findings
reveal that medical technology sizes are anticipated to decrease with the aim of
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becoming environmentally ubiquitous and surgically implantable. This is not an obscure
concept as cardiac implantable electronic devices have existed for many years as
pacemakers. Emerging upgraded models will connect to doctors’ mobile phones when
clinical abnormalities arise (Brinker, 2012:1626).
Generally, the biotechnology revolution will deeply impact on hospital space and
question existing medical planning models. For example, ubiquitous POCT technology
will replace POCT rooms with ‘continuous monitoring’ observation centres created for
medical teams to congregate and discuss patient data. Alternatively, LIC technology
will require access to OTs and minor procedure rooms as chip implants and
maintenance become regular practice based on bi-annual computer software upgrades.
Subsequently, it is foreseen that a whole new department will emerge for LIC treatment
explicitly based on the spatial trend that new medical technologies result in new
departments. Links to UAT departments will be needed for access to emergency cases.
To summarise, future biotechnologies are anticipated to revolutionise current medical
practices. This prediction signifies the genesis of spatial transformation which concurs
with section 4.2.5’s analysis of medical design influences.
7.3 Robotics: Definitions and background
Labour forces became an expensive industrial commodity over a century ago.
Innovative scientists and engineers developed robotic machines to replace expensive
staff. The purpose of robotics still stands today; to replace jobs that people would prefer
not to do or jobs which robots can far outstrip human capabilities. The International
Organisation for Standardisation (ISO8373) officially defines a robot:
An automatically controlled, reprogrammable, multipurpose, manipulator

programmable in three or more axes, which may be either fixed in place or mobile
for use in industrial automation applications.
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Catering mainly for large factory assembly lines, robotic knowledge was transferred
only recently to the medical field in 1985 (Valero et. al., 2011:542). Medical robotic
innovation has created two types of hospital robots: (i) non-clinical robots that support
hospital activities; (ii) clinical robots that assist medical team members and patients
during surgery and therapy.
(i) Non-clinical robots
Pharmacy is one department benefiting from current non-clinical robotic progression.
Medication errors were statistically high (approx. 37%) and financially burdening all
healthcare systems (Felder, 2003:S6). To resolve this issue, pharmacy dispensing robots
were created to increase efficiency and productivity. Available 24/7, the purpose of
dispensing robots is to free up expensive pharmacists to concentrate on important
clinical and patient work. Outcomes from employing dispensing robots have been
proven to reduce medical errors greatly (Jerrard, 2006). In turn, dispensing robots are
improving patient safety and reducing unnecessary fatalities. While widely used in
America, robotic dispensing machines are a recent introduction into NHS hospitals, for
example, DORIS at the Pembury Acute Hospital, Kent (2011). Additionally, robots have
been created to produce intravenous (IV) solutions. Robotic IV Automation (RIVA) is
one robotic example which prepares 60 doses of IV solutions per hour. Both pharmacy
machines are spacious in volume and have driven the recent size of NHS Pharmacies.
Pharmacy robots, as identified, are sized upon production volumes (see section 5.2.4).
On this basis, and including identified biotechnology trends, the study predicts future
robot sizes will increase in size and therefore require additional hospital space. The
same outcome is anticipated for Pathology equipment as the demand for robotic testing
and sampling increases as future biotechnology productivity expands.
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Industrial robots have been adapted to transport hospital medication, laboratory
specimens, supplies and medical records, such as, the HelpMate robot. These robots are
unrestricted to departmental confinements as they operate along corridors (out-of-hours)
or through pneumatic tube systems in service ducts (24/7). These processes decongest
corridors while reducing cross contamination and infection growth. To assist with FM’s
flow of hospital goods, AGVs are the predominantly used floor mounted type of robot.
However, opinions amongst experts are divided upon the use of AGVs in hospitals. In
the case of the new Forth Valley Hospital, Stirlingshire (2007), healthcare architects and
trade unions commented that ‘the system was risky and could lead to job losses, health
and safety issues’ while Keppie Design’s director, David Starck hailed the robots as ‘the
next logical step’. Alternatively, chair of Architects for Health, Ann Noble, argued that
the robot system was ‘very impressive’ while healthcare architect Mungo Smith (Mapp
Architects) described the robots as ‘boys toys’ for an inappropriate hospital solution
(Ancell & Crump, 2007:3). Opinions aside, the incorporation of non-clinical robots is
growing momentum as all of the above robots are functioning successfully in present
NHS hospitals. Spatially, AGVs and similar robots have impacted on hospital space as
extra area has been added randomly for hospital storage, maintenance and transport
routes across hospitals.
(ii) Clinical robots
The study defines clinical robots into three categories of rehabilitation, surgical and
human assisted robots.
Rehabilitation robots incorporate prosthesis and assisted therapy robots. These creations
support patients with natural defects or patients recovering from physical impairment or
stroke. One of the first surgical procedures in hospitals was limb amputation which
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responded to medical adversities, such as, bacterial meningitis and pneumococcal septic
shock. Contextually, diabetes is responsible for 40% of British amputation cases in
NHS hospitals (Marshall & Stansby, 2008:21). The replacement of missing body parts
has existed for many centuries but the development of robotic and enhancing prosthetics
has developed enormously since 2008. Sensor technology has allowed for upper limb
motion to progress while optimised physiological gait technology (2011) has improved
lower limb prosthesis. Examples of prosthesis include the iLimb robotic fingers and
hands by Touch Bionics, Otto Bock’s C-leg and Genium’s leg models (Clement et. al.
2011:337; Johnson, 2011:22). All of these prostheses are anticipated to be bypassed by
a new generation of neurological high-tech models. The merging of prosthesis and
neurology is an emerging medical practice discussed in section 7.4.
Prof. Brian Davies at Imperial College, London defines surgical robots:
A powered computer controlled manipulator with artificial sensing that can be

reprogrammed to move and position tools to carry out a range of surgical tasks
(Davies, 2000:129).
Davies divides surgical robots into two categories:
1. Passive robots move to an appropriate position but are powered off during surgery
2. Active robots have manipulators with tools that directly interact with patients
when performing surgery. Classifications are broken down further by surgeons’
interaction with robots: supervisory-controlled (Cyberknife); shared-control;
telesurgical systems (Ponnusamy et. al., 2011:570).
The first reported use of surgical robots was in 1985. As a recent invention, surgical
robots have improved ‘clinical parameters, such as blood loss, length of hospital stays,
and complications’ (Ponnusamy et. al., 2011:575). As both Ponnusamy et. al. and
Valero et. al. trace the history of surgical robotics, historical events will not be
described here. Suffice to say, the revolutionary invention of ROBODOC (1990s) was a
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defining moment in medicine. This surgical robot innovated surgical practice to create
minimal invasive surgery (MIS) (Rattner, 1999:12). Progressing to perform cardiac
surgery by 1998, MIS now performs abdominal and orthopaedic surgery with high
anticipations for future neurological and gynaecological surgery (Dorozynski,
1998:1696). The practice of MIS and keyhole surgery is forecast to grow as medical
robots continue to enhance surgeons’ dexterity (Rattner, 1999:14). Clinical outcomes
from robotic and MIS developments involve quicker patient recoveries as well as fewer
post-operative infections and relapses. Examples of existing passive robots include an
x-ray guided catheter robotic arm which undertook its first heart operation at Glenfield
Hospital, Leicester in 2010 (Radnedge, 2010:23).
The fore leaders in active surgical robots include AESOP, HERMES and da Vinci as
well as SOCRATES and ZEUS robotic machines5. The most well known, the da Vinci
robot, was functioning within six NHS hospitals in 2008 (see Appendix G.8-9). By
2012, the da Vinci robot was operational in numerous NHS hospitals including the
Royal Marsden, Torbay and Southmead Hospitals (NHS Choices, 2012). Significantly,
the use of robots in surgery has created a paradigm change to surgical practice.
Surgeons no longer need to perform directly on patients or be situated within the same
room. For example, at Glenfield Hospital, the catheter robotic arm was operated by
surgeon Dr. Ng in an adjacent control room. The desired minimisation of staff exposure
to radiation was made possible through remote-controlled robotic use. Similarly, the da
Vinci robot consists of two pieces of equipment; a robotic arm and console unit. The
surgeon works from the remote-controlled robot but remains located in the same room
as radiography is not involved. The outcome of surgical robotic use is driving a new
medical planning departure. The relocation of Cath. Labs. into OT departments is
5
Only two companies worldwide develop robots. They have developed AESOP and HERMES which both
use voice activation, SOCRATES which was used for the first transatlantic telesurgery and ZEUS which is
used for endoscopies.
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merging the two modalities of surgery and imaging. Robotic technology is therefore
contributing to the ‘blurring’ between surgical and diagnostic practices. In its ability to
change models of care, surgical robots are affecting hospital space both directly and
indirectly. This is represented by the increase in MIS which, in requiring less POSs, has
increased the demand for surgical day-ward bed spaces. This medical planning change
is raising similar issues associated with the design of Acute Assessments in A&E as the
preference to locate day-wards adjacent to OTs is adding medical planning complexities
while pressurising existing over loaded hospital D&T floors.
Obese and elderly populations are predicted to escalate substantially. Future nursing
problems are anticipated to emerge from coping with increased demands and a shortage
of staff. These concerns underpin the driving necessity for human assisted robots which
have been created to assist staff with patient care tasks, specifically lifting and
monitoring patients. From this background, substantial investment has been provided to
develop human assisted robots. Presently, clinically tested robots are set to emerge in
hospitals in 2015, such as, the ‘Robot for Interactive Body Assistance’ (RIBA-II)
(Schwartz, 2011) (see Appendix G.10).
7.3.1 Clinical robotic future trends
This section explores anticipated trends for two types of clinical robots.
(i) Surgical robotics: Three robotic trends highlight the future scope for surgical
robots.
NHS uptake of surgical robots has been slower than American hospitals as machines
cost approximately £1.2 million each with a £100,000 yearly maintenance (Davies,
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2006:S54). A financial investment of this scale for one piece of equipment must be
justified by individual NHS hospitals. While Trusts await clinical evidence, technology
maximisation has been reviewed financially to argue the case for robotic use in NHS
hospitals. Hence, the recent surge in the number of NHS robots is witness to the clinical
and economical advantages of surgical robots. Therefore, the use of robots within daily
surgical practice is anticipated to continue delivering cutting-edge surgical interventions
(ECRI, 2009:5):
The da Vinci® Robotic Surgical System also has limitations, the main one is still
size; it limits the space in the operating room; moreover, it has a lot of delicate
connections that are inside the operating room that may cause accidents or can be
damaged if not used adequately (Valero et. al., 2011:542).
Suggested improvements ‘encompass advances in sensors with new imaging modalities,
haptic feedback, and manipulators with novel instruments’ (Ponnusamy et. al.,
2011:575). Expectations visualise future surgical robots to be more intelligent, smaller
with improved surgical appliances. These improvements do not compare to the future
anticipations for artificial intelligence (AI) controlled robotics:
In 2010, Duke University bioengineers demonstrated that a robot - without human

assistance – can locate a manmade or phantom lesion in simulated human
organs,...researchers believe that as technology is developed, autonomous robots
could someday perform many more simple surgical tasks (Valero et. al., 2011:544).
These predictions indicate a trend for surgical robots’ to become fixed items within
future OT rooms. Spatially, upgraded surgical robots are anticipated to be smaller in
size which will require no additional space in OT rooms. Nevertheless, extra OT rooms
may be needed for increased patient volumes availing of new robotic surgical
procedures.
The second trend is based upon a shift in surgical practice introduced through
telesurgery over a decade ago. Telesurgery interacts between real and virtual
environments using virtual reality, surgical robots and medicine. For example, the first
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transatlantic operation witnessed Dr. Marescaux perform telerobotic surgery using a
ZEUS surgical robot in 2001 (Valero et. al., 2011:541). In the NHS, telesurgery is an
enormously under-utilised existing medical technology system which, as NHS costs
escalate rapidly, offers an alternative solution that maximises the employment of
expensive technologies and expert medical staff. Therefore, this study strongly
emphasises the use of telesurgery as essential to the efficiency of future NHS surgical
practice. Benefits from expanding telesurgery also have spatial positives, as its
equipment does not alter the size of OT rooms. For example, to operate telesurgey,
additional internet-connected cameras are installed. These are normally ceiling or
pendant mounted to avoid the intrusion of equipment in staff working zones.
Additionally, telesurgery offers an opportunity to reduce the size of OT rooms.
Regional resourcing can organise for one hospital to have all surgical robotic
equipment, while smaller satellite OT rooms in other hospitals need only install robotic
arms.
A third surgical robotic trend originates from Feynman’s ‘swallowing the surgeon’
concept.
A friend of mine (Albert R. Hibbs) suggests a very interesting possibility for

relatively small machines...it would be interesting in surgery if you could swallow
the surgeon (Feynman, 1960:22).
Feynman’s novel proposal has been the basis of post-1960s scientific R&D where the
hope for micro-robot technology is to allow surgeons to diagnose patients internally. To
date, the ‘swallowing’ of diagnostic equipment exists primitively in the form of
endoscopes and catheters. Recent inventions have produced small digestible devices the
size of an oral pill (Bradbury, 2000:2074). This technology was bypassed quickly by the
superior aspirations for controllable data micro-robots that download and transmit
internal information to clinicians externally. By 2010, Italian scientists have developed
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‘an autonomous but navigable capsule that patients can swallow’ (Bradbury,
2000:2074). Similarly, test results by Palali et. al. conclude that ‘the first step towards
development of smart micro-robots for human body application’ is underway (Palagi et.
al. 2011:265). At Imperial College, London, a primitive form of this type of surgical
robot is being developed. The iSnake weaves around the body equipped with lights,
high frequency cutters and sealers (Darzi, 2007:7). These examples contextualise the
status of ‘swallowing the surgeon’ robotics but support the trend of an approaching new
radical change to the existing medical agenda. For example, ‘swallowing the surgeon’
devices will assist with the decline of open surgical procedures through anticipated
nano-robots:
Introduced into the body through the vascular system or at the ends of catheters into
various vessels and other cavities in the human body (Freitas, 2005:245).
The anticipation for nano-robots is to perform both diagnostic and surgical procedures:
Surgery in the future will no longer be about blood and guts, rather it will be about
bits and bytes (Satava, 1998:691-2).
The application of nanorobots is not believed to occur prior to 2050 but robotic expert
Prof. Brad Nelson reports that this may be brought forward as clinical trials were
injecting small robots into humans in 2005 (Nelson & Rajamani, 2005). Aside
unpredictable timescales for the realisation of micro-nano robotics, the spatial impact of
incorporating ‘swallow the surgeon’ robots will be driven by what the thesis
understands is two factors. The first factor relates to the intravenously injected
administration of future micro-nano robots (Freitas, 2005:245). Equipment for this
procedure is essentially a syringe or catheter which maintains existing hospital space
sizes. As a result, this equipment is accounted for spatially within existing HBN room
areas. However, surgeons will need access to 3D image scanners to identify the internal
locations of injected micro-nano robots. This second factor, on the other hand, will
require additional hospital space and demand more hybrid OT rooms to operate clinical
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efficiencies. Hybrid rooms presently range between 75-100sqm and are much larger
than standard NHS OT rooms at 55sqm (Rostenberg & Barach: 2012:58; HBN 26).
Section 7.3.2 examines the spatial and medical planning changes that result from a
revolution in emerging surgical robotics.
(ii) Human assisted robots: Three examples highlight the wide-ranging possibilities
predicted for human assisted robots.
The first example is cognitive humanoid robots which are based on biological systems
knowledge (Zielinska, 2009:541-58). With the most difficult mechanical abilities
overcome recently, such as, walking, programmed emotions and ability to sense touch,
the creation of an interface that humans find acceptable is being developed. Typical
examples include Asimo, HRP2 and KOBIAN humanoid robots (Quan et. al.,
2011:1527-34; Allen, 2010:133-5). iCub is the most academically acclaimed ‘at the
forefront of research in cognitive systems and robotics’6 (Mettaa et. al., 2010:1133).
The future of humanoid robots is argued to be in the form of ‘a realistically simulated
flexible spine humanoid robot’7 (Or, 2010:459-60). Progression in this direction will
greatly improve robotic capabilities which are envisioned to have a physical presence in
hospitals by 2020. Types of roles these robots will accomplish include administration
tasks, for example, greeting patients in a supporting capacity and patient portering.
A second group of robots assists clinical staff with the observation of and lifting of
heavy patients. Medical staff are not always available to answer questions from patients
and family members. The outcome drives feelings of ‘not knowing’ and ‘neglect’ which
directly increase patient stress levels. Human assisted robots help reduce patient worries
6
A six year joint European Commission robotic venture (2004-10).
7
Of the Institute of Human Performance Research Laboratories, University of Hong Kong.
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by combining existing technologies to deliver and transmit basic information. The u-
BOT5 model typifies the potential of future hospital robots which consist of web cams,
microphones and wifi technologies (Mosher, 2008) (see Appendix G.12). This robot
reminds patients to take medication and gives estimated times for test results while
virtual conversations with clinicians increase patient confidence and use specialist staff
effectively. A prototype of this kind is being tested at the Chelsea and Westminster
Hospital, London (Imperial College, 2006). The Remote Presence (RP6) robot requires
no spatial changes as it utilises existing staff spaces and circulation routes (see
Appendix G.13). However, investigations are necessary to understand the complete
spatial impact should high numbers of RP6 models be operated throughout hospitals.
Robots that assist with lifting patients are typified by the previously mentioned RIBA-II
type model. Imaging, A&E and OT departments will benefit from these robots by
minimising patient injuries during critical care patient bed transfers. Of note, area to
manoeuvre robots around patient trolleys needs to be considered spatially.
The third group of human assisted robots focuses on improving staff welfare and work
efficiencies. These robots aim to: reduce staff illnesses, such as, back strain and pulled
muscles; relieve nursing staff from general duties to concentrate on nursing patients;
reduce medical errors by replacing tired staff. Recent robots are being developed to
conduct repetitive clinical tasks to replace expensive highly-skilled medial staff. For
example, the R2 replaces radiologists from evaluating hundreds of mammography scans
and the need for two expensive radiologists (Kessler, 2006:105). This floor-standing
computer-aided detection-scanning machine reduces the need for hospital space by half.
Generally, all human assisted robots will need space for storage, maintenance and re-
charging. Storage space, for technologies no longer in use, can be utilised for storing
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clinical robots throughout hospitals. In contrast, the Bio. Eng. department will need to
increase in area substantially to cater for expanding demands of maintaining all types of
clinical robots.
7.3.2 Spatial analysis for future clinical robotics in hospitals
Each future clinical robot generates its own spatial dimensions but, generally, the
underlying trend for future robots is smaller and intelligent equipment. The outcome
will require no extra space as surgical robots, telesurgery and human assisted robots all
anticipate hospital space to be unaffected by their technology’s operation. Additionally,
the long-term prediction for ‘swallowing the surgeon’ robots anticipates medical
equipment size to decrease which correlates with earlier identified thesis trends for
technology development. Two significant 1:200 and 1:500 medical planning outcomes
emerge aside the potential inefficiencies of oversized existing hospital rooms.
The first significant 1:200 medical planning change is the increased size of the Bio.
Eng. department. Predicted growth in clinical robots will drive the need for extra
maintenance services and space for increased robot numbers. The scope for Bio. Eng. is
to extend beyond its building envelope at a ground floor level as this department is
located typically adjacent to hospital exteriors or basement levels.
The second major medical planning impact involves changes to the OT and Imaging
departments. This is driven by the clinical necessity to scan patients during future
surgical practices. Spatial options include: new scanning rooms to be added to OT
rooms; OTs to be relocated to Imaging. Either way, extra area will be added to create
new hybrid OT rooms in one of two high-tech departments. From a medical planners’
experience, the preferred solution is to extend existing OT departments to reduce
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bedded patients travelling to and around public levels. However, this 1:500 option
opens up medical planning issues and raises concerns for many PFI hospitals where
space for hybrid OT rooms is not catered for generally. The problem for both 1:500
option is sourced from hybrid OT rooms being 50% (approx.) larger than existing OT
room sizes. A typical problem is the inability of OT departments to expand adjacently
due to their normal building location existing on upper hospital floors. In this scenario,
a replan of the OT department to include hybrid OT rooms will result in fewer OT
rooms and a reduction in surgical productivity. One could argue that medical ETs will
decrease current surgical demands but this trend will be offset against the major
increase in new treatments resulting from medical ETs. Therefore, to maintain the
number of existing OT rooms, expansion must be undertaken on adjacent floors.
However, this option may not be available if UAS is unavailable or floor-to-floor
ceiling heights are incompatible. Another typical problem to emerge from larger OT
rooms is existing column design layouts. For example, PFI NHS OT departments have
been planned to an absolute minimum, forcing alternative solutions to be challenging or
impossible to replan. While some hospitals have accounted for one shelled-out OT room
(55sqm), findings reveal that single extra spaces are inadequate as a future spatial
expansion strategy. Instead, flexible space needs to be distributed evenly throughout the
OT department to allow for future imaging control rooms to be built. This study draws
attention to these anticipated trends, as they typify the characteristics associated with
driving NHS hospitals to become obsolete.
The above medical planning problems only slightly indicate the extent to which one
medical ET will impact on future UAT treatments. Hence, the study determines future
clinical robots will impact upon future hospital space profoundly.
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7.4 Cyborgization: Definitions and background
Scientifically, a cyborg is simply categorised:
An organism with both biological and electronic parts (Krause et. al., 2011:369).
The scope of a cyborg ranges from ‘the all-too-human pole at one end to artificial
intelligence (AI) devices at the other’ (Williams, 1997:1047). Two types of ‘medical’
cyborg exist: restorative and enhanced (Williams, 1997:1042). Cyborgization is the
study and process of restoring or enhancing cyborgs.
(i) Restorative cyborgs: Restorative cyborgization repairs and restores lost
functionality of organs, limbs or systems to improve a human’s standard of well-being
(Gray, 1995). Cyborgization is formed, generally, upon one of two technology forms;
bionics and AI technology. The application of bionic devices is joined to the human
body surgically through synthetic feedback mechanisms. Each performs a specific
biological function, for example, neural prosthesis for cochlea implants or neural
stimulation for stroke patients. A wide range of bionic applications exist which include
automated insulin pumps, cardiac pacemakers and titanium hip replacements (Gray,
1995:2-3). As a result, many medical cyborgs exist already with numbers set to grow
enormously. Presently, AI technology is not as advanced as bionic technology as
biological systems and brain activity are not easily replicated. AI technology is forming
a new type of cyborg composed of surgically embedded chip technology, such as, Prof.
Kevin Warwick, University of Reading (see Appendix G.14).
(ii) Enhanced cyborgs: Enhanced cyborgs follow the principle:
Of optimal performance: maximising output (the information or modification

obtained) and minimising input (the energy expended in the process) (Lyotard,
1984).
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The technology of enhanced cyborgization replicates restorative cyborgization.
Fundamental purpose is the distinguishing factor differentiating the two types of
cyborgs. Enhanced cyborgs are driven by technology’s ability to augment physical or
mental capabilities. Restoration plays no part in the enhancement of the humans’ mental
status or physique. For this reason, enhanced cyborgization is unapproved ethically and
is not considered further within this study’s exploration (Warwick & Ruiz, 2008:2623).
7.4.1 Future cyborgization trends
Transplantation for limb replacement was an avant-garde medical practice at the end of
the 20th century. However, practicalities were found to be problematic when attempting
to find appropriate matching limbs. In realising these disadvantages, medical attention
was redirected towards medical ET’s new capabilities. A new generation of prostheses
resulted benefiting the agility of users immensely. However, with emerging micro-nano
technologies and new neurological medical knowledge, promising techniques are
predicted to benefit future cyborgs, such as, bio-engineering, medical cybernetics and
synthetic biology.
Basic research aiming at understanding the fundamental mechanisms of how the

brain generates movements has become more and more relevant for clinical
application....To improve the versatility of motor prostheses, an important
enhancement would be to include sensory feedback from the actuated (artificial or
natural) limbs (Scherberge, 2009:631).
From this background, future prostheses will become more subconscious through
functional electrical stimulation. This has been proven to work for artificial hands and
bladder control for motor neuron patients already (Warwick & Ruiz, 2008:2620).
Improvements in battery life and biomaterials are creating the next generation of lighter
and more efficient prostheses but current R&D is developing new materials:
Suitable for direct fixation to the bone allowing considerable reductions in the weight
of the constructs and conferring additional strength to the limb (Clement et. al.,
2011:338).
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Briefly, sensory technology will produce myo-electric prosthesis that will merge
technology and human biology through surgical attachment of prostheses to human
bone. In general:
The advancements in this field of medicine are exponential and it is likely that within
10 years there will be commercially available limbs that provide both sensation and
accurate motor control from day 1 (Clement et. al., 2011:339).
With the first bionic eye implanted in 2008 (Moorefield’s Hospital), the thesis
acknowledges the anticipations for this medical ET are set to expand and succeed
(Humayun et. al., 2012:779-88).
AI is implanted into humans using radio frequency identification (RFID) chip
technology. Its function is to mimic neurological functionality of patients with physical
disabilities, such as, severe spinal injuries. Current progression in this field is sourced
from two recent medical ET developments. The first source is human implant RFIDs
which have been developed by Applied Digital Solutions. Their VeriChip is capable of
tracking medical records by scanning chips within bodies. In the future, patients, and
particularly on-going chronic patients, are anticipated to have RFIDs embedded to
provide paramedics and clinicians with instant access to medical information (Levine et.
al., 2007:1709-11). The second source is derived from neuronal activity experiments
which ‘bring thought-controlled computers, mechanical devices, and prosthetic limbs a
step closer to reality’ (Birchard, 1999:52). While Birchard predicted that thought-
controlled artificial limbs were a long way from realisation, the first thought controlled
robotic hand was fitted in 2009 at the Campus Bio-Medico in Rome, Italy (Rossini et.
al., 2010:777-83). The most famous cyborg of this type, Prof. Kevin Warwick,
implanted an RFID chip into his arm to ‘present a glimpse into what might be possible
in the future’ (Warwick & Ruiz, 2008:2623). Warwick’s AI research is dedicated to
correcting the neural signal abnormalities in Parkinson’s disease with outcomes
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intended to benefit many other neurology conditions. For example, by linking RFID
implants to the human nervous system, future AI can correct decaying nervous systems
by transmitting neural signals directly to control a multitude of therapeutic and medical
devices (Warwick & Ruiz, 2008:2619). AI cyborgization remains in its infancy due to
the difficulty in attaching current thick cables to the nervous system. In due course,
developments in micro-nano technology will create more compatible products for easier
connectivity to cyborgs’ brain and nervous systems.
7.4.2 Spatial analysis for future cyborgization in hospitals
Introducing the practice of cyborgization into hospitals will create many novel medical
treatments. Potential spatial outcomes are categorised into three major medical planning
trends.
The first spatial trend responds directly to the introduction of bionic technologies. This
outcome will maintain, if not increase, patient numbers attending OPD clinics, such as,
Rehab and Neurology. While this aspect of healthcare delivery relates to on-going
patient care, attention is drawn to the future of OPD space which, generally, is
designated as ‘soft-space’ for future high-tech departments. This expansion strategy is
based upon recent healthcare policies that intend to disperse OPD services to local NHS
facilities. However, this finding for bionics reveals that the demand for OPD space will
remain as per current demands. This identified trend contradicts current medical
planning strategies and undermines the future spatial growth of high-tech departments.
The second spatial trend is for OTs to grow in departmental size. This spatial change
will be driven by increased surgical demands that result from new bionic and AI
implantations. For example, the instalment of prosthesis is undertaken presently as a
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medical treatment in Minor Ops rooms (25-46sqm). Alternatively, bionic prosthesis will
be conducted as an interventional or interoperational procedure in high-spec hybrid OT
rooms (70sqm). This change in medical practice will require a new bionic prostheses
service that will multiply the quantity of complex surgical operations and demand for
OT space. Similarly, AI cyborgization requires neurosurgical operations for both
implantation and extraction (Warwick & Ruiz, 2008:2623). The surgical process of
implanting RFID chips was recorded by Warwick as taking two hours to complete8.
This insight supports a spatial trend; extra OT rooms will be needed to cater for
emerging and additional surgical services. A new medical planning model is emerging,
to support the future of neuro-surgical developments, at the Brigham and Women’s
Hospital and Harvard Medical School, USA (2011). The Advanced Multimodality
Image Guided Operating (Amigo) suite combines technologies from Neurology,
Imaging and OTs (see Appendix G.15). This model is designed as three interlinked
rooms and focuses on brain tumour treatments presently. However, to substantiate the
financial cost of a 530sqm high-tech OT unit, the Amigo model must become
functionally adaptable to allow for other operations. From the perspective of NHS
hospitals, a shift to this design model would either impact heavily on a hospital’s
medical planning or be disregarded completely as an option due to spatial inabilities to
adapt (see section 7.5).
The third spatial trend witnesses the emergence of a new medical planning dynamic for
Bio. Eng.. As per Weeks’ second ‘duffel coat’ theory, the contextual status of Bio. Eng.
is one of internal departmental expansion only. However, a shift in Bio. Eng. expertise
will become essential during clinical consultations and surgery. This involves a
previously non-existent interface between biomedical engineering staff, patients and
8
Undertaken by surgeons from the Oxford Radcliffe and National Spinal Injuries Centre Hospitals.
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surgeons. This alteration will establish biomedical engineering staff as key members
upon future neuro-surgical teams. This development creates new spatial relationships
between Neurology, Rehabilitation and OT departments. As a result, Bio. Eng. will
evolve on two levels: (i) expand spatially for increased service demands; (ii) relocate
adjacent to Neurology or OT departments to accommodate for new spatial adjacencies
that support a prostheses practice that is becoming osseo-integrated. Overall, the spatial
impact of this new medical planning dynamic will pressurise existing D&T hospital
floors further.
7.5 Discussion of medical ET implications on future urban acute hospital space
This section revisits the relationship diagram established in section 7.2 and updates the
original version with informed chapter findings (see Figure 7.4). The study believes the
new diagram represents a more accurate account of the inter-relationships between
medical ETs where an unidentified technology emerges centrally from the cross-
diversity of disciplines. This novel technology is the longer-term future for medical ETs
and indicates the direction of progression for future medical technologies.
Key trends revealed in this chapter are listed in Table 7.1. This list informs the
discussion of spatial trends and medical planning implications addressed in the
following sections. Of note, no indications for future x-ray technology emerged from
the three medical ETs explored. Hence, future imaging equipment size remains
inconclusive within this study. However, the study anticipates the Imaging department
to continue to evolve as per the medical planning implications mentioned next.
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List of identified trends: Medical ET implications upon UAT treatments
ET trend Medical trend Spatial trend

Change in practice.
Custom made drugs. Management of chronic acute A&E: Assessment
LIC technology illnesses. Reduction in chronic areas to reduce
acute attacks.
Small equipment
Future POCT & Reduction in testing equipment
dispersed throughout
LOC equipment size. More portable.
hospitals
Spatial decrease as
Micro- technologies become
Reduction in monitoring
miniaturisation of embedded in patients’
equipment in size and quantity
Biotechnology
biotechnology garments and

environment.
Smaller mobile technologies. Small spaces
Upgraded Pharmacy Continued paradigm shift away throughout hospital.
equipment from centralised hospital Pharmacy to increase in
laboratory services. size.
Pathology to grow in
Molecular Growth in pathological size. Relocation of
engineering services Pathology to be nearer
A&E and OT.
Additional space to OT
and Pathology.
Increased surgical activity.
Therapeutic cloning Relocation of
Replication of bone, tissue, etc.
Pathology to be nearer
A&E and OT.
Human assisted Introduction into general No space added unless
robots hospital practice in large quantities
Substantial developments in
Nanotechnology New model for hybrid
complex neurology and brain
surgery OT rooms
surgical practice
Robotics
Increased presence of
Telesurgery No space added
telesurgery in OT
1. Development of MIS and 1. Reduction in OT
keyhole surgery. room size.
Surgical robots
2. New ‘swallowing the 2. New model for
surgeon’ surgical practice. hybrid OT rooms.
Surgically implanted
Surgical, imaging and New model for hybrid
bionic and AI
Cyborgization
pathology demands increased OT rooms

technology
Creation of new
Neurological and
Cyborgization introduced into neurological Robotics-
prosthesis
hospital practice Cyborgization
technologies
department.
Table 7.1 List of identified trends from chapter findings.

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(A)
(B)
Figure 7.4 (A): Figure 7.2. (B): Updated diagram of Figure 7.2 highlighting the
relationships of explored medical ETs.
7.5.1 Future A&E hospital space
The strategic medical planning location for A&E is not envisioned to change based on
A&E’s pertinent need for direct external access (see Figure 7.5). Internally, its 1:200
spatial impact will be one of continual evolution. Changes over the next twenty years
will occur effectively in two evolutionary stages.
The first stage is one of hospital spatial growth which results from three driving factors.
The first influence is the need for extra observation area caused by deteriorating
epidemiological problems. Traditional medical planning methods of soft-space
utilisation can resolve A&E’s need for additional area. For example, adjacent open plan
offices can be converted into clinical observation bays (if available). Events from the
remaining two driving factors will occur simultaneously. These are new A&E imaging
services and the up-grade of trauma facilities. Presently, Satellite Imaging is gaining an
adjacency beside A&E departments. This study recommends that this spatial entity
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should become embedded as emergency imaging within A&E instead. This proposal
will be driven by clinical aspirations to perform complex procedures in A&E where
trauma facilities will need to be upgraded to replicate the design of OT suites. Both
changes will require additional space and add complexities to designing A&E
departments. For example, to upgrade from a trauma bay to a single OT suite requires
an extra 99sqm9 of space. However, UAT practices will be compromised if hospitals are
incapable of expanding. This spatial trend will be challenging for many acute hospitals
where a minimum of three trauma bays will need to be upgraded.
Figure 7.5 Diagram of spatial trends for A&E.
The second evolutionary stage will be one of spatial retraction driven by changes in
clinical demands resulting from the use of custom-made-drugs and LIC technologies.
The demand for A&E observation spaces will decrease leaving 400sqm (min.) of void
A&E space10. Therefore, the study advises that A&E and adjacent departments must be
designed as a joint unit to allow for future spatial flexibility.
The size of individual A&E clinical spaces is not expected to change, particularly for
major observation cubicles and medical assessment unit (MAU) rooms. This is based on
upgraded POCT and LOC technologies which are forecast to reduce the number and
9
Based on a trauma bay of 29sqm (HBN 22) and a single OT suite of 128sqm (HBN 26).
10
Based on a 50% reduction of a typical MAU department of 45 patient rooms at 750sqm excluding other
A&E observation areas.
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size of testing equipment. For example, Prof. Tim Coates (University of
Leicester/Leicester Royal Infirmary) is conducting R&D into smart ‘sick bays’ which
detect disease by sight, smell and feel (University of Leicester, 2011). Such applications
highlight the growing relationship between biotechnologies and hospital space. In this
case, patient monitoring medical technologies are intended to become ubiquitous which
will reduce the need for equipment space. Similarly, additional space will not be
required when human assisted robots are introduced into A&E. These robots will be
designated to function within existing spaces previously occupied by medical staff. A
final consideration for storage, and the re-charging of new medical ETs, needs to be
accounted for spatially when designing for future A&Es.
7.5.2 Future laboratory hospital space
Hospital laboratory spaces will be affected mainly by biotechnology developments.
Possible outcomes stem from one of two distinct and existing business models: in-
sourced or out-sourced laboratory work. A decision to contract-out work responds to
Weeks’s ‘duffel coat’ theory for laboratory expansion which is a strategy to maintain its
spatial size (Architectural Record, 1970:102) (see section 2.1.2). This scenario will
maintain departmental areas through a reduced scope of services, future smaller
equipment and designated soft-space for future internal expansion. Alternatively, to in-
source future work that responds to internal and regional demands will incur changes in
three ways in laboratory departments.
The first change will be an immediate increase to laboratory departmental areas. Spatial
expansion will be driven by an enormous expansion in future laboratory services. For
example, the delivery of custom-made-drugs and molecular engineering will require a
large amount of extra equipment. Each machine will require additional high-spec clean
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rooms of 37sqm each. Therefore, strategic plans for Pharmacy and Pathology must
account for an additional 200-450sqm (minimum) each for the development of future
laboratory departments that in-source laboratory work11.
The second spatial change will result from the continuing shift towards decentralised
laboratory services. A more visible presence of mobile laboratory equipment will appear
throughout NHS acute hospitals. New types of medical technology will require
scattered flexible space for future upgraded equipment which is anticipated to decrease
in size and eventually becomes ubiquitous.
The third spatial change will affect the medical planning location of Pathology. This
relocation will result from the change in dynamics between pathologists and future
medical teams. Closer working relationships between surgeons, pathologists and
radiographers will benefit from being located nearby. Thus, to reduce staff travel
distances, Pathology needs to relocate adjacent to OTs. At present, this Pathology
adjacency does not exist in many NHS hospitals. The thesis advocates the long-term
evolution of Pathology must be kept in mind for future medical planning strategies.
7.5.3 Future surgical hospital space
The introduction of non-clinical robots established a robotic presence within hospitals.
The spatial impact has created new pockets of space for re-charging and storing robots.
More significantly, their precedence has been psychologically vital to introducing
clinical robots into surgical practice, such as, the Scuplture robot for orthopaedics and
the da Vinci robot for urological MIS. Diagnostics and treatment will become
increasingly non-invasive as the next generation of surgical robots and endoluminal
11
Based upon four new clean room suites, at 214sqm each, in two departments.
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surgery emerges. By 2025, the scope of medical ETs will include patient treatments,
such as, injected LIC, the reconstruction of body structures through biotechnology while
cyborgization will be a well-established hospital medical practice.
The spatial impact of current MIS technology is the reorganisation of space within OT
rooms while future surgical robots are anticipated to decrease in equipment size. This
finding contradicts current medical planning practice which ‘super-sizes’ OT rooms on
the basis of recent past technology trends which anticipate future medical equipment to
be larger in size. However, a more overarching outcome will result from incorporating
medical ETs into surgical practice. A Trusts’ clinical preference for radiography access
will result in one of two spatial potentialities. The first scenario includes scanning
equipment within OT rooms which would be resolved spatially by converting either a
shelled-out or adjacent OT room. This option creates one large hybrid OT type room
which is 27% greater than HBN guidance (55sqm). The second scenario locates
scanning facilities in an adjacent room to OT rooms with sliding partition walls
inbetween for medical equipment access. This solution, represented by the Amigo
model, maximises scanning equipment usage by creating a dual approach to accessing
high-tech imaging machines. However, this Amigo type OT room is almost tenfold the
HBN area for an OT room. A shift to this model will impact heavily upon existing
clinical productivity and NHS hospital space. Ironically, this option may be unfeasible
for ‘state-of-the-art’ PFI NHS acute hospitals which will result in cutting-edge clinical
functionality not being sustained in PFI NHS acute hospitals.
Based on the above scenarios, the expectation is for OTs to expand substantially. This
study proposes that new departmental ‘boundaries’ must be formed to cater for OT
spatial evolutions. At present, Imaging and OTs function as separate clinical entities
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where the transfer of bedded patients between departments is unacceptable. The rational
solution is to eliminate these flows by creating two contained OT/Imaging departments.
Each contains a mixed composition of spaces and supporting medical technologies. The
first proposed department would consist of a hybrid OT/Imaging suite that conducts
complex high-tech interventional operations. This new unit would have direct
adjacencies with Pathology and Bio. Eng. facilities and incorporate an Amigo type
medical planning model. The second proposed department will utilise existing OTs and
add imaging activities adjacent to OT rooms. This scenario will be made possible by
smaller technologies that perform non-invasive procedures in smaller surgical spaces.
An opportunity for new rooms to be created can emerge from an efficient re-planning of
OT departments. New spaces that result will be allocated as control rooms for new
imaging modalities or as interdisciplinary team meeting rooms for discussing
pathological and engineering data.
Chapter 7’s aim was to understand how existing UAT treatments will be affected by
anticipated medical ETs. While the realities of medical ETs are not yet fully understood,
a broad spectrum of possible spatial ET trends was revealed through the examination of
biotechnology, robotics and cyborgization anticipations.
Projecting these changes forward makes it certain that healthcare provision in the
future will look very different, requiring new models of hospital design and new
relationships (Future Healthcare Network, 2004:6).
Significantly, predictions for medical ETs identify the continuation of an existing
technology trend; medical equipment size decreases as its technology progresses. This
critical finding supports the study’s concern that many existing NHS hospital spaces are
sized incorrectly. From chapter findings, spatial implications emerge as numerous and
wide-ranging which the study believes will impact deeply on future medical planning
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models. A number of key spatial trends were identified as an outcome from delivering
future UAT practices. These identified trends inform Chapter 8’s scenarios and
alternative medical planning solutions for future urban acute hospital space.
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Chapter 8: Formation of future scenarios
“The best way to predict the future is to design it”
Buckminster Fuller
Chapter 8
8.0 Introduction
Chapter 8 is dedicated mainly to achieving the third thesis objective. This is to visualise
the spatial consequences of incorporating medical ETs into hospitals. Drawing from
Buckminster Fuller’s principle that, the best way to predict the future is to design it, this
chapter creates alternative visions for future UAT hospital space. The chapter opens
with discussions upon the study’s technological and spatial findings which inform the
suggestions for future medical planning solutions that follow. Thereafter, spatial visions
are delivered through three scenarios that typify UAT patient admissions to NHS acute
hospitals in the year 2025. Each scenario examines the potential spatial impact of five
high-tech departments: A&E; Imaging; OT; Pathology; Pharmacy. Additionally,
Chapter 8 aims to achieve the fourth and final thesis objective. This is to assess the
necessity of flexible design solutions particularly with respect to PFI NHS hospitals.
8.1 Discussion of findings regarding ETs
This section offers a technology vision for the future-proofing of hospital space. Six
main ET trends inform this alternative vision for 2025. These include: (i) growth of
‘smart’ technologies; (ii) utilisation of App technology; (iii) micro-miniaturisation of
biotechnology; (iv) robotics; (v) nanomedicine and ‘swallowing the surgeon’; (vi)
cyborgization.
(i) ‘Smart’ technologies: Physicist Michio Kaku argues the progression of computer
technologies will become so affordable, invisible and intelligent that future technologies
will become ubiquitous (Kaku, 1998:8,36). On this basis, and the existence of emerging
marketable ‘smart technologies’, unlimited potential is anticipated for the creation of
future ‘intelligent’ hospitals. This technology vision will be achieved through digital
technologies sprinkled onto surfaces, such as, walls, furniture and clothes that create
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new technology interfaces that respond to touch, vision and speech. Eric Drexler, in his
Engines of Creation, similarly argued the potential of ‘smart’ materials (Drexler, 1987).
Video wallpaper, the ability to choose your paint colour on command and nano
fluorescence that detects environmental contamination were visualisations waiting to be
materialised once paper-thin technology was invented. In 2013, this technology was
manufactured as PaperTab by Plastic Logic (Cambridge, UK). Benefits to architectural
materials are anticipated to include paint with hearing capabilities and opaque changing
glass that transforms glazed walls into privacy screens1.
Haptic and force feedback technologies will develop new ways for delivering healthcare
practices (Norman, 2007:193). Examples of products include; (i) integrated display
furniture units that become visible worksurfaces when activated; (ii) motion activated
virtual screens on walls that eliminate space hungry computers-on-wheels (COWs).
Similarly, nurses will be able to retrieve patient data via virtual screens to show patients
test results or iCloud intranet files for medical information.
Existing wireless technologies have limited capacity for medical equipment use. Future
improved ubiquitous technology will allow, amongst other changes, future treatments to
be unrestricted to specific rooms. In becoming less reliant on fixed power sources,
enhanced wireless medical equipment will revolutionise technology’s relationship with
hospital space by allowing treatments to be conducted in alternative hospital
environments. New wired technologies will therefore offer medical planning options
that will challenge existing hospital spatial design that currently responds to 20th century
medical technologies and practice. Overall, future wireless ETs will reduce the number
1
At present, ‘radio paint’ by BAE Systems Information has become a registered trademark (2010) while
Trinity College, Dublin are developing a transparent film technology for manufacturing solar protected
glazing (McDonagh, 2012:12).
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of existing fixtures, fittings and equipment in hospitals. Their need for space will be
decreased while indirectly reducing the alien feel of high-tech hospital environments.
(ii) App technologies: New technology interfaces will emerge in hospitals over the next
20 years but one significant recent ET is the invention of App technologies. This new
technological platform utilises existing interfaces to inform and assist humans with
daily activities. At present, App technology is under-utilised vastly within the NHS. The
potential for this ET in NHS hospitals is extensive, ranging from economic and
administrative efficiencies to patient stress reducing strategies. For example, an App
that registers patients on arrival and directs them to their destination correctly creates a
cost-effective, timesaving solution for staff trying to locate lost patients.
(iii) Micro-miniaturisation of biotechnology: Anticipated future environments will
monitor patients’ health through improved micro-miniature biotechnologies. For
example, biotechnologies will be incorporated into WCs to provide instant toilet
urinalysis (intelligent toilets by Toto, 2010). While no spatial change would result from
upgrading sanitary equipment, the wider spatial impact is the elimination of Dirty
Utility rooms (9sqm) adjacent to specimen WC rooms for testing samples.
Alternatively, bio-sensors will be able to monitor infection levels or patient stress
through colour changing intelligent clothing (Campbell, 2007:21). Similarly, the
monitoring of patients through smell in ‘sick bays’ will be achieved through micro-
miniature biotechnologies embedded in the environment that will reduce existing space
for monitors (see section 7.5.1).
(iv) Robotics: Ray Kurzweil’s Law of Accelerating Returns projects 21st century
technology to change dramatically through the prominent development of robotics. This
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study identified four major robotic trends that will impact on medicine over the next 20
years; (i) increased presence of surgical robots for non-invasive and MIS procedures;
(ii) nanorobotics and ‘swallowing-the-surgeon’ practices; (iii) increased telesurgery
activity; (iv) introduction of human assisted robots. Each type of robot and their broad
spatial implications were identified in section 7.3 but two issues of change are
recognised by the thesis as significant. The first is an outcome from the continual
merging of surgical, endoscopic and imaging modalities. A new super high-tech
surgical suite will emerge to dominate and change medical planning models. Secondly,
the growth in ‘virtual’ clinicians will evolve the relationships between medical
technologies and hospital space. Robotic progression, and the holographic projection of
absent clinicians, will allow hospital spaces to evolve in a less clinical manner.
(v) Nanomedicine and ‘swallowing the surgeon’: Fifty years on, Feynman’s vision
for small surgical machines and ‘swallowing-the-surgeon’ have not been realised quite
yet but ‘nanomedicine’ is beginning to emerge in medical practices with huge potential
forecast (Feynman, 1960:29). Briefly, nanomedicine offers higher patient survival rates
through faster diagnoses of illnesses. This is based upon a principle that, as patient
physical symptoms arise, conventional medicine reacts to tissue-level problems only.
Permanent and irreversible damage may result which, in contrast, nanomedicine
promises to diagnose and treat problems at the molecular level prior to irreparable
damage (Leary, 2010:453). As Freitas argues, profound changes are anticipated to
appear by 2025 which include new medical practices of biopharmaceuticals,
nanotherapeutics and surgical nanorobotics (Freitas Jr., 2005:328-9). Essentially,
Freitas’s insight into future nanomedicine differs tremendously from existing medical
practices.
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(vi) Cyborgization: The emergence of cyborgization will be realised through novel
bionics and AI technology. The impact from this technological progression is identified
as forming a new integrated neurological Robotics-Cyborgization (RC) department.
This new clinical arrangement and spatial entity within hospitals will alter the dynamics
of hospital practice which, in turn, will require current medical planning models to
change. Links with surgical and imaging facilities will dictate the location for a new RC
department. However, preferred adjacencies with OT and Imaging will pressurise the
future medical planning of hospitals.
Multiple trends inform this study’s medical ET vision. This scenario differs from the
present so radically that a new medical agenda is suggested. In this event, hospital space
will need to respond to a very different and in some cases ‘nano’ scaled type of
technology. The next sections discuss and propose how hospital space can respond to
future medical ETs.
8.2 Discussion of findings for current urban acute hospital space
This section discusses thesis findings with regards to current urban acute hospital space.
Medical planning and spatial findings inform the assessment of flexible hospital design
solutions in section 8.5. Additionally, broad trends identified in this section underpin the
medical planning principles required to instigate a shift towards a new hospital
architecture.
Current medical practices are presently very different from 50 years ago. Furthermore,
bed numbers have been reduced considerably while current services have become
patient-focused and heavily dependent on technology. Therefore, in questioning why
hospital typologies remain similar to those of the mid-20th century, this study
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acknowledges that derivatives of the same hospital design model have been employed
since the 1950s. This finding explains why hospitals lag behind in responding to the
latest technological revolution which contradicts technology’s outcome from the ‘third
wave of change’ as one of major evolution. Changes to hospitals are beginning to
emerge but, from the perspective of a medical planner, 20th century medical planning
principles of flexible space, economies of scale and adaptable hospital design strategies
remain crucial to the success of future hospital design solutions. Furthermore, the four
factors identified as central to the failure of late-20th century NHS hospitals must be
kept in mind when searching for a new NHS hospital design model. These are
availability of finance, the employment of cheap architectural materials, reduced HBN
guided spaces and flexible standardisation, and are all fundamental parameters in need
of consideration when designing 21st century hospitals For example, an ongoing
awareness of economic situations remains central to designing sustainable hospitals as
tighter budgets and increased healthcare demands inflict the use of spatial undersizing
and cheaper materials. These latter two factors contributed to the failure of Nucleus
NHS hospitals as both design influences conflicted with the simultaneous introduction
of new medical technologies and their then continued growth in equipment size.
Consequently, these events undermined spatial functionality. The juxtaposition of
reduced built areas along with the spatial growth of new medical equipment reducing
inflexible Nucleus NHS hospitals to a costly short lifespan. Hence, from an assessment
of past and current hospital space, this study determines the following principle; short-
term, quick-fix capital expenditure is not a sustainable solution for expensive publicly
funded NHS hospital buildings.
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A core element of the 20th century medical planning model reflects characteristics
similar to those associated with Toffler’s ‘second wave of change’ where spatial
boundaries were identified, multiplied and sharpened.
A new image of space arose that corresponded exactly to the new image of time. As
punctuality and scheduling set more limits and deadlines in time, more and more
boundaries cropped up to set limits in space (Toffler, 1980:124).
This division of space is represented extensively by the cellular design of 20th century
hospitals where the multiplication of derived clinical spaces and office layouts
prevailed. This culture of pigeonholing space leans towards human preferences rather
than the needs of clinical functionality but embodies typical characteristics of the early-
1900s technology era and principles of post-WWII spatial briefing. However, this
restrictive tenet underpins the inappropriateness of recent and current hospital space
which struggled to respond to ongoing post-1950s medical technology change.
Therefore, this study proposes that a theoretical change to the fundamentals of spatial
division creation are key to revolutionising current hospital space from its outdated 20th
century medical planning paradigm.
This understanding of current hospital space forms the basis from which to project an
alternative visualisation. Broad spatial trends inform this study’s vision through three
medical planning categories of 1:200, 1:500 and 1:1000 scales of design. Data regarding
medical ETs are detailed in Appendix H.1 from which their spatial implications upon
UAT departments are listed in Appendix H.2-3.
8.2.1 Discussion of 1:200 spatial implications
This section discusses 1:200 spatial implications which affect each of the five UAT
departments in a different manner.
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(i) A&E: By 2000, 25% of the British population used A&E departments on a yearly
basis (Edwards & Harrison, 1999:1361). By 2025, this statistic for A&E admissions is
anticipated to remain constant due to medical ET’s impact on changing the patient type.
On this basis, the existing division of A&E departments is expected to continue as three
clinical sections: (i) major & minor cabin areas for short-stay patients with cuts, bruises
and breaks; (ii) Emergency Assessment Unit (EAU) for observing chronic and other
patients for 8-36 hours in patient rooms; (iii) Trauma which consists of open
resuscitation (resus) bay areas for emergency traumatic patients. Nevertheless, long-
term spatial compositions will evolve as a result of two major spatial trends (see Figure
8.1).
Figure 8.1 A&E sections: Relationship diagram for existing, near and long-term
futures.
The first spatial trend will affect EAUs as improved biotechnologies reduce the number
of attending chronically ill patients. Hence, the spatial need for patient rooms will
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diminish as a result of decreased service demands. This large amount of future obsolete
space will be further increased as A&E cabins reduce in size in response to smaller and
ubiquitous LOC technologies. Some of this future void space can address the need for
new and additional small spaces (1-4sqm each) for dispersed POCT laboratory
equipment.
The second major trend is the upgrade of Trauma from existing resus bays to OT rooms.
As identified, the delivery of all levels of surgery will be expected in future Trauma
Suites. This model of care requires imaging facilities to deliver a high-tech trauma
service but, by 2025, transporting trauma patients around hospitals will be medically
unacceptable. Therefore, imaging rooms or adjacent Satellite Imaging departments, such
as, examples at West Cumberland (2013), will become contiguous with future Trauma
OT rooms. This outcome will be made possible only through the division of existing
Main Imaging departments. This new controversial model of care will be necessary as
more imaging activities shift to the OT department. As staff efficiencies become
strained, inappropriate medical planning solutions would emerge should singular Main
Imaging departments continue to be operated. On this basis, this study proposes that the
Main Imaging department relocates next to OTs while A&E departments acquire their
own imaging facilities. This spatial change will double the current size of HBN guided
areas for trauma bays which excludes the additional areas for imaging equipment and
support rooms.
Both spatial trends will alter A&E departments as internal space and medical planning
flows are reorganised but a main concern is expressed for the intermediate growth of
EAUs (400sqm minimum). For example, should this spatial event coincide with the area
development of new Trauma Suites, the outcome will produce large spatial shortages
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that will impose major clinical problems upon A&E services.
(ii) Laboratories: On-site laboratory production is the policy chosen for many large
urban acute NHS hospitals. This approach may differ in the future for numerous spatial
and operational reasons. Presently, Pharmacy consists of Dispensary and Aseptic Suite
areas. This study envisions these categories to remain but the size of each section is
anticipated to grow. Alternatively, Pathology only contains one operational section but
is composed of multiple sub-disciplines. The 1:200 area of Pathology is predicted to
grow as additional new sections rather than expanding existing sub-disciplines (see
Figure 8.2).
Figure 8.2 Laboratories: Relationship diagram for existing and long-term futures.
The development of Pharmacy space will be driven directly by newly imposed service
demands resulting from the introduction of customised drugs and novel drug deliveries.
New equipment for pharmaceutical production will be introduced which require extra
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aseptic rooms. These rooms plus their supporting rooms will increase Pharmacy size by
200-400sqm (minimum). Whether future pharmaceutical manufacturing remains on-site
depends on a Trust’s preference or, more practically, upon the availability of
expandable laboratory hospital space.
The potential of biotechnologies was acknowledged within a recent NHS design project.
Advances in medical technology, particularly in biotechnology will drive service

delivery changes, and lead to more treatments for more diseases (NHS, 2013:1).
Spatially, the future impact of medical ETs upon Pathology will be twofold. The first
trend responds to a continued decrease in testing equipment size. As nanotechnology
develops a wider range of smaller testing machines, pathology equipment will be
decentralised further throughout hospitals. This continued trend will reduce the need for
some existing Pathology spaces. By 2025, some tests will become ubiquitous and
therefore require no space at all. In this respect, it could be argued that the 1:200 area of
Pathology is set to decrease in size. However, the thesis believes this trend will be off-
set against a second over-riding trend resulting from molecular engineering (ME) and
cyborgization practices. A new ME section will be dedicated to support new laboratory
equipment and functionality. Spaces will be similar to those within Aseptic Suites while
walk-in freezer rooms will accommodate for grown tissue, organs and bone samples.
Overall, the increase to the 1:200 area of Pathology will amount to hundreds of sqm of
previously non-existent hospital space.
Only non-clinical robots will impact upon hospital laboratory spaces, for example,
bigger Pharmacy robots for larger stocks of customised pharmaceuticals. Otherwise,
AGVs will continue to utilise existing circulation spaces with area for storage,
maintenance and recharging added throughout hospitals.
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(iii) OT and Imaging: At present, open surgery remains commonly practised with less-
invasive practices increasing. By 2025, nanomedicine will be driving a very different
type of surgical and imaging practice. The current OT department consists of two
clinical areas: (i) a surgical suite; (ii) pre&post recovery areas. Imaging consists of
numerous x-ray and 3D scanning sections. Both departments are expected to continue to
merge based on ‘nano’ technology advancements. This will extend to the point where
dual modalities are no longer distinguishable but clinical sections are expected to
remain as existing (see Figure 8.3).
Figure 8.3 OT and Imaging: Relationship diagram for existing and long-term future.
Surgical robots are presently 1.22m x 1.22m. Findings predict technological progression
will decrease the size of surgical robots, thus, reducing the area needed within OT
rooms. Nevertheless, in response to more available treatments, additional OT rooms
will be required, such as, cyborgization will demand operational space not currently in
existence. As surgical robots reduce in size, future surgical procedures can be performed
in smaller OT rooms which raises opportunities for future obsolete spaces to be adapted.
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For example, this is advantageous for storing robots (7sqm) as well as creating new
control and scanning rooms needed for practicing future nanomedicine. As previously
addressed, the preferred location of OT departments will remain as existing while
imaging rooms will relocate adjacent to OT rooms. From the perspective of this study’s
examined medical ETs, 1:200 spatial implications for Imaging are not available but
changes at the 1:500 level are expected to be extensive. These future 1:500 medical
planning issues are discussed next.
A number of 1:500 medical planning trends will result from the outcome of 1:200
spatial changes. This section discusses each 1:500 UAT’s departmental spatial
implications.
(i) A&E: A&E will remain in its current location due to its necessity for external
access. This location is predominantly at ground floor level to minimise emergency
circulation spaces. No 1:500 long-term impact is anticipated for A&E but spatial issues
will arise during the intermediate period. This current spatial trend can be resolved
through the use of adjacent soft-spaces or the ability to extend EAU space externally at
ground floor levels. As a result, major 1:500 medical planning problems are not
anticipated for A&E but thought must be given to the future growth of an emerging
Trauma Suite. The area/sqm will counterbalance evenly with unwanted EAU space but
the type of space may be incompatible as the structural design of patient room sizes is
unfavourable with large surgical type rooms. Hence, after a period of departmental
growth that is driven by current healthcare policies and deteriorating levels of public
health, no major 1:500 spatial implications will result from incorporating medical ETs
into A&E departments.
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(ii) Laboratories: Laboratories will experience different spatial trends as medical ETs
progress. Logically, departmental areas will be maintained should services be
outsourced while on-site production will increase departmental sizes. This spatial trend
will not impose upon the 1:500 medical planning of hospitals as the location of
laboratories in most cases allows for external expansion at lower ground floor levels.
However, unlike Pharmacy, Pathology will undergo functional changes that will shift its
relationship with other departments. This development will require Pathology to
relocate adjacent to OT, Imaging or RC departments. For example, surgeons’ visitations
to Pathology will become necessary to analyse data and specimens. As surgeons,
pathologists and radiographers develop stronger working links, pathological services
will become central to delivering surgical practices. Therefore, the thesis proposes the
best solution is to locate Pathology adjacent to OTs to eliminate staff travel distances
between hospital departments. Therefore, while Pharmacy is not expected to disrupt
future 1:500 strategic medical planning, Pathology will add a new dimension to existing
medical planning models.
(iii) OT and Imaging: The biggest 1:500 spatial implication will result undoubtedly
from the merger of OT and Imaging departments. How this will evolve clinically will be
driven by professional hierarchies which may impede against optimum medical
planning solutions. Nonetheless, four 1:500 spatial trends emerge for OT and Imaging:
(i) OT will not relocate; (ii) small spatial growth to OT and Imaging departments; (iii)
Imaging is divided and relocated into two new areas; (iv) huge growth as a result of
OT/Imaging combining for neurology based procedures. Collectively, findings indicate
that a fundamental shift in 1:500 medical planning models will emerge. For example, as
future Imaging becomes embedded fully in delivering surgical procedures, flows
between existing scanning and OT rooms will need to be eliminated. The rational
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solution is to move Imaging adjacent to OTs. In doing so, the relationship between
Imaging and Trauma becomes strained both physically and operationally. Therefore, the
thesis suggests that two separate Imaging departments are created, of which, one will be
absorbed into A&E. Alternatively, the spatial impact of Imaging facilities in OTs will
pressurise an already tightly planned OT floorplate as hybrid OT/Imaging suites add
27% to OT areas while Amigo modules (530sqm) are tenfold larger than recent PFI OT
rooms. Furthermore, a major reorganisation of the hospital’s 1:500 strategic medical
planning will be needed to support new clinical patterns established from departmental
realignments (see Figure 8.4).
Figure 8.4 1:500 spatial implcations.
(iv) RC: Bio. Eng. is a current technology support department with no critical medical
planning adjacencies. This non-clincial department exists as a small area but will evolve
into a leading clinical department. By 2025, medical ETs will have transformed Bio.
Eng. into a larger RC department that demands high input between surgeons,
pathologists and engineers. As a result, the preference for RC is to be located adjacent
to OT/Imaging suites. This new departmental dynamic will pressurise what is being
visualised as a super-sized high-tech hospital unit. As a result, 1:500 future medical
planning models will need to change to embrace the requirements of the new RC
department as shown in Figure 8.4.
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This scale of design addresses the masterplanning of hospital buildings and its
surroundings. Two concerns regarding 1:1000 spatial implications emerge from the last
section’s 1:500 findings. The first spatial trend is the external expansion of A&E and
Pharmacy departments. Opportunities to expand at ground floor levels are possible but
only based on the availability of space within a hospital’s masterplan. Therefore, both
departments must identify their expansion plans during initial design processes to
eliminate future spatial problems particularly for urban block acute NHS hospitals. The
second spatial trend is of more concern, as expansion needs to take place on upper
floors. Key components driving this 1:1000 spatial trend include the relocation of
Imaging, Pathology and RC departments. Collectively, they create a super high-tech
floor of 2,000-2,400sqm of extra space which needs to be located preferably on existing
OT floors. This scenario is a major cause for concern as the potential for expansion at
OT levels is limited in many hospitals and resembles the events leading to the recent
spatial failure of NHS hospitals. Discussed next, innovative solutions need to be found
for expansion at the 1:1000 scale particularly for densely built acute urban block NHS
hospitals.
8.3 Discussion of future medical planning solutions
This section discusses broad medical planning solutions required to deliver the thesis’
alternative vision for future urban acute hospital space. Options are formed upon long
and short-term solutions: (i) short-term solutions that utilise practical applications to
respond to existing architecture and spaces; (ii) long-term solutions that require
innovative creative thinking that draw from a scientific understanding of the scope of
ETs. Both options are underpinned by the thesis’ concern that solutions must respond to
unexpected anticipations. Therefore, the thesis advocates the importance of flexibility in
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thinking when creating solutions for future hospital space. Consequently, the thesis
presents solutions, and not a defined model, to guide medical planners’ flexibility in
thinking.
8.3.1 1:200 Medical planning solutions
Three key trends underpin how 1:200 hospital space will change in the future (see Table
8.1).
1. Changing size of rooms: Irregular increase and decrease in room areas
2. Addition or omission of rooms as per clinical and technological demands
3. Relocation of existing rooms.
Table 8.1 List of key trends underpinning 1:200 future hospital spatial change.
Each trend resonates 20th century hospital design principles even though medical ETs
will differ radically from existing technologies. Core principles of technology’s future
relationship with hospital space are anticipated to continue as existing. However,
different medical planning solutions will be needed to accommodate for novel medical
ETs.
(i) Pod design: A more fluid approach to hospital space, that differs greatly from
current rigid structures, needs to be adopted to cater for uncertainties over the next
twenty years. Ongoing irregularity in changing hospital room sizes can be addressed by
adopting a large open-plan strategy that can respond effectively to ever changing
indeterminate spatial briefs. As at Crystal Palace, where unobstructed floor space was
capable of subdiving into smaller units, Paxton’s principles for creating flexible space
must be embedded into future 1:200 medical planning. For example, a solution that
consists of non-fixed pods situated in a large open space will respond architecturally
and spatially to technology changes and present clinical unknowns. From a medical
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planning perspective, clinical activities with low-levels of patient intrusion should be
assigned to pods as Dr. Combs suggests: ‘fat zapping’ (excessive fat of a person is
heated away) should be conducted within a pod rather than a room (Combs, 2006:
1308). ‘Pods’ are not a novel concept as commercial offices and airports now
commonly use this model but, with improvements in mobile and wireless medical
technologies, previously unavailable clinical possibilities in less rigid environments will
become available. For example, the developments in POCT equipment are precedent to
proving medical ET’s ability to facilitate with creating future hospital spatial flexibility.
Similarly, it was shown that biotechnologies in the environment will assist with creating
adaptable space by revolutionising monitoring equipment that prevents clinical space
becoming obsolete overtime.
(ii) ‘Universal hospital space’ model: Clinical delivery evolves as new medical
technologies emerge. The outcome directly influences the demand for additional or
reduced hospital rooms. In fact, this study reveals that a 51.7% (average) growth in
high-tech space occurred simultaneously with medical technology progression since
1950 (see section 6.6). The impact of technology is responsible for the radical
compositional change in late-20th century hospital space. The spatial failure of Nucleus
hospitals is testament to the outcome from post-1950s high-tech spatial expansion. A
current medical planning solution aimed at resolving this problem is the ‘universal
hospital space’ model. The main tenet of this model is to minimise the variety in size
between similar hospital room types. By creating repetitive standard room sizes,
adaptable space is produced to facilitate with ongoing medical activity changes. This
model has been incorporated into the standardisation of certain rooms, such as, OPD
consult/examination rooms but the NHS’s full Activity Data Base (ADB) room list
remains unexamined from the context of medical ETs and future hospital space. This
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status needs rectifying for the universal hospital space model to maximise its potential
as a future 1:200 medical planning solution.
(iii) Adaptability is key to all 1:200 hospital medical planning solutions particularly for
the relocation of existing high-tech specialist rooms. While the universal space model
attempts to limit variety amongst similar hospital room types, this approach may not be
transferred as easily between different types of rooms. For example, in response to
future surgical practices, CT scanning rooms of 36sqm will need to move to the OT
department. As OT rooms are 55sqm minimum, CT rooms can relocate to within
existing column free spaces. Leftover space of 19sqm can be replanned to create new
control rooms and biotechnology testing areas. Alternatively, relocating a CT room to
the new Trauma Suite will experience major difficulties as existing EAU space consists
of rooms structured upon 16.5sqm and 4.5sqm. This medical planning problem has been
detrimental to adapting previous NHS hospitals. Problems are driven by fixed hospital
building elements of walls, columns and services. New technologies improved by
nanotechnology progression are anticipated to increase the structural strength of
architectural materials. New inventions will allow for wider column spans and
decreased slab depths that will alleviate existing medical planning restrictions. These
architectural technologies will instigate a new medical planning revolution similar to
early-20th century hospital design after inboard architectural services and fluoroscence
lighting were introduced (see section 4.3.2). These ETs are longer term solutions but,
meanwhile, ‘outside-the-box’ thinking for architectural technologies needs immediate
attention. New innovative architectural technologies need to be founded upon
theoretical concepts that walls, floors and ceilings are defined as physical membranes. A
precedent for radical change in the thought process for creating flexible hospital design
solutions is BMW’s 2008 ‘Gina Light Visionary Model’ (Jury, 2010:24). The car model
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is made of a seamless fabric that stretches over aluminium wire structures and contorts
into any desired state of form quickly. This conceptual breakthrough in car
manufacturing challenges the essence of conventional hospital building thinking.
Theoretically, the thesis believes the application of BMW’s Gina principles would
create new architectural technologies that allow for the cellularisation of hospital
activities to become spatially and architecturally adaptable. A second ‘outside-the-box’
example uses App technology to challenge the existence of non-functional space. For
example, App technology can identify patients to clinical administrators as they enter
into a hospital. This technology omits the need for patients to report physically to a
receptionist. Admission details are sent to patients’ phones which direct them to their
area of clinical activity, thus, reducing the cost for non-clinical space for waiting and
registering activities. Furthermore, deeper medical planning consequences are driven by
App technology’s independence from a hospital’s fabric. Upgrades or new replacements
of App technologies can be undertaken without effecting space or building fabric. This
ET is crucial to evolving and benefiting the relationship between hospital space and
technology to a point where some medical technologies no longer rely upon hospital
space to function. This study emphasises the importance of this emerging relationship as
essential to underpinning the principles of a new medical planning model. The essence
of this tenet is: hospital space should be formed upon the quality environments instead
of technological or architectural components that dictate the size of future hospital
spaces.
Flexible design solutions underpin the success of 1:500 medical planning strategies. In
response, this study proposes a new medical planning concept which is configured
diagrammatically in Figures 8.5-8. This solution is based upon two principle design
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elements at the 1:500 scale: (i) ‘departmental’ block arrangement; (ii) arrangement of
access and flows.
Figure 8.5 Alternative 1:500 future medical planning thinking.
(i) Clinical hierarchies dictate the present existence of hospital departmental boundaries.
This 20th century 1:500 spatial approach needs rectifying for game changing progress to
occur in medical planning. Change is growing momentum through the merging of
surgical and imaging modalities. Evolving principles in cross-utilisation are key to
dissolving the rigidity of other departmental boundaries. On this basis, the thesis
proposes a solution that standardises the arrangement of ‘1:500 departments’ in plan
and section rather than the present freerange manner of organisation (see Figure 8.5).
Conceptually, each floor template consists of a pattern that spatially blocks clinical and
non-clinical activities together but allows each block to be formed architecturally by
architects as they wish. Fundamentally, this strategy is underpinned by a standardised
structural design that assigns each block with a column layout favourable to its
functional activities. This strategic layout is repeated vertically to create spatial
adaptability on and between floors to minimise future medical planning problems as
clinical demands evolve. This solution organises each floor to become a specific unit of
clinical excellence which locates similar functional activities vertically for clinical and
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staff efficiencies. For example, an emergency floor’s large high-tech spaces would be
designated to Trauma Suites with open lounge areas for assessment and treatments and
recovery cabin areas for long-term patient observation. Alternatively, the same standard
floor template would be used for an elective OT/Imaging Suite. This floor would
contain similar high-tech spaces for operations and lounge areas for pre&post operative
care (see Figure 8.6).
Figure 8.6 Alternative 1:500 future medical planning solution: Access points
(ii) The thesis acknowledges medical ETs will change the movement of people, goods,
data and energy around hospitals. Changes to flows at the 1:500 design scale will result
from re-arranged departments. However, basic principles of horizontal and vertical
circulation will remain for people and goods. Alternatively, new methods for
transporting data and energy will emerge to offer opportunities for creating less rigid
environments. The approach to addressing change will be focused on reducing travel
distances and unnecessary routes that are driven by the existing multitude of desired
departmental adjacencies. Therefore, the strategic organisation of movement in this
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thesis’ 1:500 medical planning proposal is predominantly: horizontal for patients;
vertical for staff and goods (see Figure 8.7A-C).
Figure 8.7 A-D Left: Alternative 1:500 future medical planning solution: Access points
and flows. Figure 8.7E Right: Plan and section of alternative 1:500 future medical
planning block solution.
A core factor driving this concept is the reduction of in-patient and staff floor-to-floor
transfers which, in addition to minimising expensive circulation space, is expressed
constantly as a top design problem by all hospital staff. This factor focuses on
enhancing patients’ privacy as well as improving hospital operations, as lifts in NHS
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hospitals are infamous for being maintained poorly. Therefore, patient dignity and staff
efficiencies will be maximised by assigning multi-disciplinary medical teams to each
floor, as the largest number of daily staff flows is between clinics, theatres and wards.
Therefore, time wasted waiting for lifts is eliminated when staff are assigned to a single
floor. Alternatively, less frequent travel journeys, such as, weekly departmental clinical
reviews can be undertaken between floors by able clinicians to optimise spatial use.
This alternative arrangement for connectivity creates closer links between clinical
activities that can flex functionally into similar adjacent spaces or ‘departments’ to
maximise space outside of operational hours (see Figure 8.7D). This utilisation of space
is dedicated to reducing staff and patient flows unlike existing 1:500 departmental
models that encourage excessive interdepartmental travel distances. Hence, the thesis
advocates this design principle as central to the success of future hospital medical
planning and drives the concept depicted in Figures 8.7D-E.
Through the organisation of space, two sustainable solutions are included in the
proposed medical planning diagramme. The first relates to the standardisation of floor-
to-ceiling heights. Normally, this model is considered wasteful but this study argues that
the standardisation of floor heights is a more sophisticated long-term sustainable
solution, as it eliminates restrictions when rearranging space as demands evolve. The
second sustainable solution concerns the reduction of energy use. The proposed medical
planning concept is designed to shut down a part, whole floor or full block rather than
close areas in a disjointed manner. This design proposal closes functional space as well
as all associated non-functional areas, such as, corridors and staff areas. This strategy
contrasts with current policies that close space sporadically without reviewing cost
savings from a fully operational perspective (see Figure 8.7E). Furthermore, Blocks X
and Y are closed down between 6pm-6am daily. Lighting, air-conditioning and heating
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are reduced to a minimum to create an energy saving solution.
The principle of flexibility is extended further at the 1:1000 scale but present spatial
‘outside-of-the-box’ solutions are not being executed to prevent expensive hospitals
from becoming obsolete. For example, if a department cannot expand spatially, services
are relocated off-site which potentially leads to a very expensive whole hospital
refurbishment. More significantly, a redesign risks weakening an efficient hospital
strategic medical planning which is reflected in many older NHS hospitals, such as,
Poole General Hospital. While technology has been a driver of process change within
hospital environments, unlike airport or office typologies, hospitals have not benefited
from a revolution in typology development. However, the thesis is not of the view that
hospital typologies should replicate airports. Hospitals are dissimilar in nature by their
social and psychological human interactions. Nevertheless, basic design principles from
this precedent maybe adapted accordingly. Three 1:1000 medical planning concepts are
presented to invoke exploration of maximising the flexibility of hospital typologies.
The first medical planning solution draws upon mat-building principles, which
characterise an urban typology that is able to change during construction, refurbishment
and overall existence. However, the mat-building was tested unsuccessfully as a
hospital model in NHS Nucleus hospitals (see section 4.3.4). This outcome does not
exclude the mat-building as an appropriate precedent for future hospital design. Instead,
the thesis argues that the NHS’s interpretation and delivery of the mat-building was
flawed. Theoretically, the mat-building typology sustains against future spatial change.
In the face of medical ETs, where a high degree of future spatial evolution is expected,
this study advocates the mat-building model as a valuable precedent for creating a
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future new urban acute hospital design model. A basic principle of the mat-building
typology is that the inner workings of buildings interface with their surrounding urban
fabrics. Or more precisely, as architect Stan Allen argues:
A site strategy that lets the city flow through the project (Allen, 2001:121).
One architectural feature that delivers this principle is a unifying roof. This feature has
been disregarded in recent hospital designs for financial and mechanical plant reasons.
Considering the long-term flexibility of, and importance of UAS in hospitals, this study
proposes the use of unifying roofs is worthy of exploration for individual hospitals. In
particular, the use of lightweight prefabrication, that incorporates principles from the
BMW’s Gina model, offer potential future expansion space currently under utilised by
NHS hospitals (see Figure 8.8A).
Figure 8.8 Alternative 1:1000 future medical planning solution: Expansion plans.
The second solution regards the maximisation of hospital space utilisation. Driven by
hospital business models, the blurring of departmental boundaries is underpinned by the
mat-building principle of interconnectivity at a typology scale. At present, the capital
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potential of some hospital spaces is not being fulfilled. These include Kitchen and
Dining areas which are closed broadly between 7pm-6am. By rearranging departments
to cater for external public access, services can operate longer hours to capitalise on this
1:1000 scale urban acute hospital strategy (see Figure 8.8B). This concept can be
utilised similarly to benefit greater incomes for Pharmacy, Pathology and Imaging
services. Operational policies will need to be updated for this spatial strategy to be
implemented successfully in NHS urban acute hospitals.
The third option embraces the wider urban environment as a strategy for spatial growth
where clinical activities are no longer confined within a hospital’s building. As hospitals
are organic buildings, constantly in motion and never complete, the current nature of
hospitals as distinct architectural objects is contradictory and detrimental. From an
architectural perspective, present hospital design resonates architect Aldo van Eyck’s
argument that architecture’s recent fascination with form is completely inappropriate
(Neville, 2008:3). Further to this belief, van Eyck argues that a shift towards the
importance of integrated relationships between buildings rather than the buildings
themselves badly needs reforming. This thesis concurs with this principle and believes
that opportunities to be innovative arose when NHS estate ownership was transformed
under the PFI process. However, NHS hospital space has not maximised the formation
of new spatial relationships at the 1:1000 scale. For example, the creation of new
medical spaces outside hospitals exists in the form of mobile trucks parked near
hospitals. Taking this concept onboard, mobile structures offer alternative spatial
solutions for much needed flexible accommodation when required to respond to
ongoing technological and medical practice changes. Therefore, space must always be
allocated within a hospital’s strategic masterplan for both permanent and temporary
1:1000 spatial expansion. Drawing on Renkoi’s principles for routes, flows and
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relationships, a wide range of opportunities are available for expanding urban hospitals.
Trains, trucks, boats and inflatable pods, that connect physically into a hospital’s
medical planning masterplan and buildings, are all potential spatial options worth
considering for flexibility at the 1:1000 medical planning solutions (see Figure 8.8C).
8.4 Clinical scenarios for future urban acute NHS hospitals
From scenario logics identified in section 3.8, three plausible scenarios are generated to
provide a visualisation for future hospital space. Chapter 7’s identified spatial and
medical planning trends inform this section’s scenarios which depict hospital space in
existing NHS hospitals in ten years time. Each scenario is self-contained offering
alternative futures for NHS hospital space based on key variables, such as, economic
and technology growth and the NHS’s ability to adopt medical ETs. A different
typology is assigned to each scenario to contextualise the range of possible spatial
outcomes. These are: campus type model (St. Thomas’); ‘matchbox-on-a-muffin’ model
(UCLH); hybrid hospital model (RLH). Each scenario originates from a single event
described in Table 8.2.
In 2025, global warming continues to create adverse weather conditions. On one
occasion, blearing sunlight during a March heatwave in London causes a major car
incident. A three way collision occurs between an elderly pedestrian (Sam), a 24 year
old male cyborg (Jason) in a robotic car and a healthy 57 year old female (Fiona) in a
manual 1995 Toyota Corolla. Fiona is injured critically and air lifted by HEMS
paramedics to the RLH’s A&E Trauma Suite. Jason is stabilised at the scene before
being transferred by ambulance to St. Thomas’ A&E department. Sam, believing he is
unharmed physically, continues on his journey. He feels unwell later and travels by
automated bus to UCLH’s Urgent Acute Centre for assessment.
Table 8.2 Single event in 2025 that generates thesis scenarios.
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8.4.1 Scenario No.1: High medical ET growth with full adoption by the NHS
Responding to the robotic car’s distress code, the first attending paramedic arrives by
motorbicycle to the accident within three minutes. The paramedic, David, attends to the
most critical patient first who is not wearing any ‘smart’ medical technology. David
uses a small finger print scanner to access Fiona’s electronic medical record (EMR).
Using hand-held POCT equipment, David analyses Fiona’s bloods, temperature and
heart rate while a hand-held ultrasound diagnoses Fiona with head and spinal injuries.
This requires major trauma surgery which David relays vocally to the NHS’s
Emergency Data Centre (EDC) via ubiquitous uPad technology embedded in his jacket.
The EDC is a specialist UAT service based in Edinburgh that organises the
maximisation of sparse specialist UAT staff and knowledge. The EDC dispatches a
HEMS helicopter to transport Fiona to the RLH. While being transferred, air
paramedics take further blood tests with LOC technology for clinical analyses. These,
and all of Fiona’s vital signs, are monitored within the helicopter, at the hospital and by
the EDC. At the RLH, a neurological multi-disciplinary team has been mobilised to
discuss Fiona’s data and create a medication treatment plan. Fiona’s custom-made-
drugs are approved of jointly whereby Aseptic Suite staff are notified immediately.
Fiona’s custom-made-drugs are produced on-site and delivered by pneumatic tube to the
Trauma Suite prior to her nano-surgical procedure. Before arrival, Fiona goes into
cardiac arrest and needs resuscitation. Airborne paramedics stabilise Fiona with
assistance from EDC emergency surgeons via telesurgery.
At the RLH, the UAT team have prepared a hybrid OT room in the A&E’s Trauma
Suite where all of Fiona’s medical data is projected onto virtual information walls. On
arrival, Fiona is transferred directly into the hybrid OT room to be CT scanned by the
waiting neurological imaging technologist. Real-time results allow for a final
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confirmation for Fiona’s surgical plan. Information technologists and radiographers
corroborate with the neuro-surgeons’ decision to operate for fluid-on-the-brain first. The
biomedical engineer has been party to discussions to confirm what tools are necessary
for using the latest da Vinci surgical robot. The robot is positioned to drill through
Fiona’s scalp after her non-invasive imaging is completed. The robot’s procedure is
overseen by surgeons in an adjoining control room. On completion, the surgeon returns
to the OT room to take swabs for rapid analysis. Samples are tested in an adjacent space
outside the operating room where results are emailed directly onto the information wall
wirelessly. A plastic surgeon completes the procedure by re-stitching open wounds.
Simultaneously, preparations for Fiona’s spinal injuries are taking place by the
nanosurgeon. A solution of formulated nanorobts is injected to target Fiona’s spinal
injuries internally. The CT scanner is moved back into position to scan for the
nanorobots’ location and completion of works. Fiona is transferred to the ICU after her
successful operation.
Table 8.3 Patient scenario No.1: Technological and medical proceses.
By 2025, the RLH remains at its original location in London. This hybrid hospital
typology has been able to expand successfully based on its available UAS medical
planning strategy. Adaptability, however, has proven difficult and expensive due to the
numerous clinical and technology changes that have emerged since the new hospital
opened in 2012. Specifically, problems arose on the 3rd and 4th floors of the PFI urban
block where replanning for new hybrid OT rooms became impossible without reducing
surgical activity. While ‘swallowing-the-surgeon’ technology required no extra space
for equipment, additional imaging modalities and adjoining control rooms required
twice the original size of OT rooms. Expansion was achieved through external links
across to an adjacent site’s building where unwanted space was utilised for pre&post
operative and office areas at the top two floor levels.
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The Main Imaging department located at Level 1 has adapted well due to the original
medical planning strategy to completely separate emergency radiography. Satellite
Imaging at Ground Floor was located originally adjacent to A&E which contained large
9x9m spans that were compatible with the incoming hybrid OT model. Subsequently,
when the A&E department was renovated to respond to new healthcare policies and
medical ETs, its medical planning proved easily adaptable due to the existence of
adjacent imaging rooms. More significantly was the importance of the new Trauma
Suite model which transformed the patient trauma care flow. Undesirable travel
distances to imaging and emergency OT rooms on other floors were eliminated.
The exclusion of Pathology in the 2012 PFI block proved beneficial in 2019 when the
department needed to expand substantially in response to biotechnology expansion. A
completely new campus building was rebuilt with pathological areas, requiring
operational adjacencies with the OT Suite (Level 3), were linked horizontally into the
PFI block’s 3rd level. Alternatively, Satellite Pharmacy’s location at Level 5 in the PFI
block did not allow for spatial expansion but Pharmacy remained as a separate building
on the RLH’s campus. This medical planning decision allowed for on-site pharmacy
production to continue as well as expand spatially in response to radical pharmaceutical
changes that emerged by 2020 when custom-made-drugs became available.
Space for computers and monitors was omitted post-2018 as IT interfaces became
technologically visual, haptic and voice operated. Services, power and gases remained
fixed in rooms associated with this patient scenario due to the explicit complexity of
future neurological surgical practice. In general, the RLH’s strategic medical planning
remained sustainable as a hybrid campus model with respect to high technology growth
and the NHS’s full adoption of medical ETs.
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8.4.2 Scenario No.2: Slow medical ET growth but full adoption by the NHS
Clare, the second attending paramedic, arrived by ambulance within six minutes of the
event. She has been monitoring David and the EDC’s progress report on her hand-held
personal digital assistant (PDA). On arrival, Clare immediately attends to Jason who is
wearing a medical belt. She is able to automatically access and download all of his
EMRs. This time saving in prognosis determines Jason as requiring no clinical tests for
abnormalities. Clare uses her hand-held equipment to ultrasound and take Jasons’s
measurements in real-time. Jason is diagnosed with a shattered humerous which needs
emergency orthopaedic surgery and reconstructive surgery to reattach his bionic hand to
his left radius. Clare’s prognosis is delivered verbally to the EDC via Clare’s smart
jacket. She is informed that Jason must be transferred to London’s St. Thomas’ hospital.
Before departing, Clare stabilizes Jason with an intravenous infusion for loss of fluids
and blood while nanotechnology bandages, infused with antibiotics and painkillers,
control infection. Enroute, Clare administers a dose of nanopharmaceuticals while
Jason’s vital signs are monitored using a smart blanket. The EDC and multidisciplinary
team are also monitoring Jason’s status in case he needs a blood transfusion. The Blood
Bank and Pharmacy are alerted upon which Jason’s DNA information is activated to
produce custom-made-drugs for his medication plan and customised blood packs for
surgery. Meanwhile, Clare activates an App within Jason’s medical belt that notifies his
next of kin of events and his transfer to St. Thomas’ A&E department.
A multi-disciplinary team has been mobilised at St. Thomas’ by the EDC. Part of this
team is Birmingham’s RC department, as only one exists within the NHS. A recorded
video of events from Jason’s automatic car has been issued to all team members. A joint
assessment of events via Skype leads to a surgical treatment plan for Jason. As a result,
the A&E trauma team are waiting in St. Thomas’ East Block to admit Jason for a full
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body MRI scan. Thereafter, he is transferred to an orthopaedic OT room located on the
Lambeth Wing’s 2nd floor. Jason’s bionic hand is taken to be examined and recalibrated
by biomedical engineers. As ‘swallowing the surgeon’ technology is limited by 2025,
iSnake robots are used to repair Jason’s shattered humerous. Therapeutic cloning will
hasten the healing of his humerous by using biotechnology scaffolds. Both medical ETs
required no additional space allowing St. Thomas’ to evolve their orthopaedic surgical
practices. Once completed, Jason is transferred to the medical ship where the neuro-
robotics surgical team is waiting. The Birmingham specialist team are notified via
telesurgery where they commence the reattachment of the cyborgs hand via the latest da
Vinci robot model. The neuro-surgeon operates the robot in Birmingham supported by
orthopaedic surgeons and neuro-nurses at St. Thomas’. To begin, Jason’s full body scan
is projected onto his body which remains during his two hour bionic operation.
Numerous CT scans are taken during the procedure to check Jason’s thought controlled
prosthetic has been attached successfully. On completion, the team in Birmingham
stepdown to prepare for another telesurgery operation in Carlise. At St. Thomas’, Jason
is moved to the East Wing’s 1st floor ICU department once his operations are
completed.
Table 8.4 Patient scenario No.2: Technological and medical processes.
As a campus typology, St. Thomas’ remains at its current location in 2025. While
medical ETs have been slow to materialise, St. Thomas’ continues to be a forerunner in
adopting new technologies. Substantial quantities of UAS have allowed for spatial
adaptability in the hospital. Two innovative flexible design solutions have responded to
technological change. The first innovative solution took advantage of the adjacent
Thames River to extend St. Thomas’ OT/Imaging department. This necessary expansion
in 2019 reflected the 1961 redirection of Lambeth Palace Road which gained extra land
for St. Thomas’ redevelopment programme. A medical ship harboured parellel to the
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South Wing is a temporary solution for the rapidly evolving Imaging department which
was fragmented at basement and ground floor levels2 and undergoing an uncertain time
of technological change. UAS (2,000sqm), located below Imaging in the Lambeth
Wing’s 1st floor, was adaptable but additional imaging space to support changing
medical practices was deemed unsustainable. An analysis of the 19th century South
Wing block determined that continuous renovation would be imminently more
disruptive than beneficial. Therefore, until medical ETs became more established and
compatible with existing hospital spaces, a medical ship solution was justified as a
pragmatic short-term spatial strategy. The second innovative solution was the relocation
of St. Thomas’ pathology research facilities which did not require direct medical
planning adjacencies with any hospital departments. A new cheaper building was
constructed on an adjacent site and accessed by a linkbridge over Lambeth Palace Road.
The medical planning outcome allowed three floors (2nd, 4th, 5th) of the North Wing to
become available for renovation. This was assigned to therapeutic cloning and
molecular engineering expansion. Additionally, this evolving department was located
with new adjacencies to the emerging OT/Imaging suite in mind.
The remaining UAT departments have adapted well in the face of slow nanotechnology
growth. Pharmacy remains located on the South Wing’s 2nd floor where space for a
Pharmacy robot was facilitated through the hospital’s new efficient strategy for storing
drugs. New drug deliveries and custom-made-drugs have not emerged fully yet but
UAS has been allocated adjacent for future Aseptic Suite expansion. Similarly, the OT
department remains unchanged, as future surgical robots are smaller than existing
machines. No extra space was demanded for in the OT department but incoming neuro-
bionic technologies will change surgical, imaging and pathological relationships. This
2
Basement level – South Wing (small) and North Wing. 1st floor - Lambeth Wing (2010).
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future scenario was a key driver to relocating Pathology research laboratories as a new
phase of replanning the OT department awaits new medical ETs. Bio. Eng. remains a
small unit but plans to establish a new RC department are underway in the South Wing
adjacent to Neurology OPD, Rehabilitation and OTs. After a short-term surge in
additional A&E cabins, the pressure on space in the East Wing’s GF A&E department
has receded finally. The use of LOC, POCT and smart technologies as well as early
forms of custom-made-drugs, have reduced the numbers of chronically ill patients
attending St. Thomas’ A&E. As a result, A&E triage, observation and treatment areas
have been redesigned to be more openly planned and less rigid. Pods, that were
adaptable to within existing column structures, have created a supply of sustainable
spaces. However, the hybrid OT room model has not replaced existing trauma bays
explaining Jason’s inappropriate transfers to other departments for emergency surgery.
New rooms for monitoring patient signals have been easily adapted from unused EAU
bedrooms while human assisted robots have gained a presence in St. Thomas’ without
impacting on hospital space.
Generally, St. Thomas’ has fully adopted the slow growth of medical ETs and remains
sustainable as a hospital campus typology. Space for computers and monitors were only
omitted in 2023 while services, power and gases remained fixed in most hospital rooms.
Developments in front-of-house public areas are progressing steadily to be less rigid
and user friendly. All teaching and administration facilities have been relocated to a new
building across Lambeth Palace Road. This move and the medical ship solution has
allowed for all buildings in the gardens to be removed, reinstating Nightingale’s original
holistic environment for St. Thomas’ hospital.
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8.4.3 Scenario No.3: High medical ET growth but full adoption is not realised by
the NHS
Sam was checked medically by David, the paramedic, at the accident scene. Sam
continues on his journey as no visible symptoms were diagnosed. The March heat-wave
however brings on an acute asthma attack as his LIC chip has become dislodged during
the incident. Sam, a registered asthma and diabetic patient, also wears clothes that
monitor his weight and respiratory functions. A sensor alerts Sam’s general practitioner
(GP) who Skypes Sam on his smart-watch telling Sam he needs to go to a ‘virtual
clinic’ for examination. At his local shopping centre, Sam logs on to take an x-ray of the
LIC chip in his arm within an A&E booth (1x1m). The x-ray is sent to the EDC where
results are emailed immediately to Sam’s GP. The GP needs to gather additional
information and Skypes Sam in the A&E booth. Its larger screen, fingerprint and eye
recognition technology allow for Sam to be assessed by the GP. The GP needs to
monitor Sam’s temperature, heart and breathing rates which are performed by
downloading software into Sam’s smart clothing wirelessly. On reading Sam’s vital
signs, his GP tells him to go to hospital for clinical observation. Sam is notified that
delays will occur at his preferred hospital but admittance to UCLH will be immediate.
Sam confirms he will present himself at UCLH and takes an autobus while being
monitored continually through his medical jacket. Sam also verbally records how he
feels through a speech recognition programme embedded in his jacket.
An urgent-acute medical team have been notified to commence preparations for Sam’s
admission to UCLH’s A&E. As Sam walks through the A&E entrance, his jacket’s App
acknowledges his arrival to the medical team. An admissions nurse goes to meet him at
Reception to discuss Sam’s deteriorating condition. Using a tablet, Sam’s EMR is
uploaded but unfortunately today’s events have not been updated. UCLH’s older
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technologies are incompatible with the NHS’s current EMR system which causes
repeated data gathering and inefficient time delays as a result of incohesive information.
Therefore, the admissions nurse needs to input data of events and how Sam is physically
feeling. By 2025, waiting times have been reduced to 5-10 minutes at certain NHS
hospitals but UCLH’s lack of cutting-edge technology drives waiting times up to eight
hours. Sam waits for information to be distributed internally before being assigned to an
observation cabin. As Sam walks into his cabin, his consultant, Eva, is notified of Sam’s
readiness for examination via App technology. Shortly afterwards, a phlebotomist
arrives to take Sam’s bloods which are sent off to be analysed off-site. Vital signs are
measured from Sam’s clothing but remain viewed visually in the cabin by signal
monitors. On entering Sam’s cabin, the emergency consultant, Eva, is registered by
Apps as attending to Sam. Eva accesses Sam’s new EMR via her PDA as video
wallpaper or ubiquitous technologies do not exist. Eva needs to confirm that Sam’s LIC
chip has not been dislodged or damaged. While the initial scan in the A&E booth
demonstrated abnormalities, this information is currently not available for making
decisions. Sam is sent for an x-ray to the department on the floor below but waits for
two hours in his cabin due to limited imaging technologies. Meanwhile, Sam is
administered drugs to stabilize his chronic asthma attack. After his scan, further delays
are experienced for Sam’s pathology diagnoses as well as the medical team’s
unavailability to analyse test results. Sam waits another hour for Eva to assess Sam’s
medical test results which confirm he needs minor surgery to relocate his LIC chip. A
15-minute procedure is done in his cabin where on completion Sam’s vital signs return
to normal. Within the hour, Sam leaves via the A&E entrance where his ‘smart’ clothes
record his discharge.
Table 8.5 Patient scenario No.3: Technological and medical processes.
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By 2025, UCLH’s urban block typology has struggled constantly with spatial change.
Historically, this hospital has relocated several times and may witness the same strategy
being adopted in the future. Challenges include the need to respond to new medical
planning adjacencies and spatial growth of all high-tech departments. The outcome has
led to severely pressurised hospital services being delivered in inflexible outdated
spatial environments. For example, the non-existence of an adjacency between
Pathology and OT at Level 3 disallows for nanosurgical practices to be introduced, as
space for an on-site Pathology is not available at UCLH. Similarly, Imaging needs to
grow at the Basement Level but extra space is unavailable. Free space on an adjacent
site could be utilised if existing city planning infrastructures would allow for an
underground system. Both spatial problems could be addressed at the 1:1000 scale
rather than inflict burdensome capital costs of constructing a whole new hospital
building on an alternative site. One optional medical planning solution to UCLH’s
problem is the construction of a building on an adjacent site that uses only one-two
floors as part of its hospital’s business model. This option would rent out non-clinical
spaces as viable commercial units on other floors. This innovative healthcare policy
would create new urban relationships that fulfil mat-building principles of urban
connectivity. Driving this option is an ever-evolving typology that demands fluidity of
its architectural boundaries to become sustainable as a hospital building within an urban
context. For example, the typology model for retail shopping centres is ground floor and
first floor accommodation. Opportunities for healthcare facilities above retail units
include day surgery, OPD clinics and basic diagnostics. This proposal is driven by easy-
to-use medical ETs as well as available off-peak parking spaces, which offer options to
de-pressurise NHS services but, more importantly, expensive space at UCLH.
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The 1:500 departmental planning of UCLH remains unchanged due to its restrictive
defined urban block form, core design and structural grid layout. As a result, the scope
for major change at 1:500 has been limited since its opening in 2005. For example,
original policies for off-site production were beneficial for Pharmacy and Pathology.
However, future medical practice relies heavily on laboratory services which, as an off-
site service, reduces the efficiency of future healthcare delivery. To resolve this issue
demands laboratory services to be relocated on-site which UCLH is incapable of
catering for spatially. This status reflects the restrictive nature of future urban block
hospital typologies and determines why UCLH’s 1:500 medical planning remains
inflexibly static.
Adaptability has been more successful at the 1:200 scale as a substantial amount of
UAS was incorporated originally. The 3,000sqm of embedded UAS caters for the
decanting of one large department at a time. This policy is the fundamental reason why
UCLH remains functional in 2025. However, additional space required for technology
changes at UCLH has been limiting. For example, the spatial impact of incorporating an
Amigo suite (530sqm) model was identified as impossible at UCLH in 2018.
Fortunately, smaller future surgical robots have allowed certain medical ETs to be fully
utilised within existing OT rooms with surplus space redesigned for necessary new
control rooms.
In 2019, UCLH was downgraded from a major trauma acute hospital to an urgent-acute
centre that caters for old medical practices with ‘out-of-date’ technologies. This strategy
was damaging to UCLH’s reputation as its perception by the medical profession and
public was undermined as a centre of excellence with cutting-edge medical practices
and technologies. This outcome was driven by the overbuilding of A&E assessment
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rooms in the 2010s which created a surplus of unnecessary future patient rooms at
ground floor. These rooms, still packed with monitors and screens, were not as easily
adapted structurally. Therefore, a policy was established to maintain old technologies
and practices to utilise UCLH’s existing A&E cabins. As a result, UCLH’s original
3,000sqm A&E layout remains as a 20th century medical planning model with cellular
rooms and long intimidating corridors still in existence by 2025. In contrast, other NHS
hospitals contain ‘state-of-the-art’ A&E layouts which consist of large open-planned
spaces that reflect a spatial model similar to Paxton’s Crystal Palace. Spatial division
for functional differences has been achieved through ubiquitous technologies that are
capable of structuring membrane walls as physical dividers. Interior imagery is
downloaded by App technology from patients’ phones similar to the primitive forms
which appeared in the design of OT/ICU internal room glazing in 2012. Benefits from
this product’s development with nanotechnology have been utilised greatly by all
medical planners in the future. Overall, the ongoing challenge of UCLH’s spatial
restrictions will remain constant until 2040. This status will be driven by: its PFI
contract; inflexible urban block typology; lack of innovative solutions to deal with
restrictive spatial parameters. For example, the use of human assisted robots was
introduced into UCLH in 2020. Increased use, however, was restricted due to an
inability to widen hospital corridors.
8.5 Assessment of flexible design solutions through PFI NHS hospitals
The durability of PFI NHS hospitals is examined to assess the need for flexible hospital
design solutions. Two medical planning areas are considered in this assessment: (i)
embedded architectural principles; (ii) numerous spatial issues.
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(i) The first medical planning area involves three architectural principles revealed as
essential for achieving sustainable acute hospitals (see Table 8.6). Assessing the
presence of these architectural tenets within each hospital case study examined assists
with determining the resilience of PFI NHS acute hospitals.
Three architectural principles for durable hospitals

No.1 Incorporation of a UAS strategy
No.2 Spatial flexibility and adaptability at alternative scales from 1:200-1000
No.3 Avoid the NHS’s 1980-2000s delivery type of Nucleus typologies.

Table 8.6 List of architectural principles to determine the durability of PFI hospitals.
A campus styled typology was identified as a sustainable medical planning solution for
urban acute hospitals (see Chapter 6). The implementation of UAS strategies was
determined as central to the success of this typology. On this basis, this study expects
the RLH and St. Thomas’ to sustain their existing campus typologies based on both
hospitals’ substantial UAS for future decanting and spatial renovations. In contrast,
urban block typologies have been unsuccessful historically, particularly between 1950-
2010 where the vast growth in new high-tech hospital space (21,900sqm average)
caused detrimental spatial outcomes (see section 6.6). In continuing this trend, this
study determines that UCLH and RLH PFI hospitals will outgrow their buildings within
the next twenty years based on inadequate UAS for spatial alterations. This projection is
supported by large proportions of continuously changing high-tech hospital space
existing within both urban block acute hospital buildings. However, as previously
discussed, the RLH’s PFI block is part of a campus typology which has scope to utilise
alternative UAS to remain functional spatially.
The second architectural principle is spatial flexibility which needs urgent reform in PFI
NHS hospitals. This status, argued by the NHS Confederation, is founded upon
numerous new hospitals being reconfigured to accommodate for new medical

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technologies soon after completion (FHN, 2004:7). Of the four case studies examined,
only UCLH and the RLH’s urban block are PFI NHS hospitals but findings proved
inconclusive in differentiating between technology’s influence on PFI and non-PFI
hospital space. POEs of PFI hospitals need to quantify the impact of change to inform
any decision that determines their spatial flexibility. From my experience as a medical
planner, creating specific spaces does not lend itself to be flexible. Therefore, the thesis
can only determine the outcome for PFI NHS hospitals to be one of three scenarios
where spatial flexibility will depend upon each PFI hospital’s spatial status and future
demands (see Table 8.7).
The third architectural principle is to revisit and learn from past mistakes. For example,
spatial sustainability proved fatal after new technologies were introduced into late-20th
century hospital buildings. This situation was weakened further by the then current NHS
medical planning model. For PFI hospitals, information concerning the NHS’s dismal
delivery of a mat-building was crucial knowledge. Nevertheless, lessons learnt from the
irrevocable outcome of Harness, Best-Buy and Nucleus hospitals were not addressed
sufficiently in early PFI hospitals:
Many of the new hospitals have not met expectations for a step change in quality and
innovation in design and clinical solutions (Diamond, 2006:1).
This flaw in PFI NHS hospital design is reinforced by the strict compliance with HBN
documentations. All PFI hospital spaces were designed to HBN guidance which do not
account for medical ETs. As a result, many PFI NHS hospitals have embedded the same
post-1980s flawed design models that do not consider the biggest driving influence of
hospital design failure; medical technologies’ future. Hence, whether PFI NHS hospitals
become reclining white elephants across the British landscape will depend on the
robustness of each hospital’s architectural and medical planning solutions.
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Scenario 1 – Refurbishment: During the 20-year period prior the 1962 Hospital Plan
programme, the architectural solution for spatial change was refurbishment. This
response has a striking resemblance to the future status of PFI NHS hospitals. The main
architectural response to future spatial evolution is expected to be one of refurbishment
due to binding contractual agreements that the NHS must adhere to. Adaptability is
therefore key to the success of PFI NHS hospitals. However, thesis scenarios have
shown that not all existing hospital space is flexible and adaptable.
Scenario 2 – New build: By the 1980s, most NHS acute hospitals needed rebuilding.
The Nucleus rebuilding programme resolved a short-term necessity that failed
deliberately to include a sustainable strategy. The outcome witnessed the costly
reconstruction of most NHS hospitals within twenty years. This event is underpinned by
a vitally important lesson; the dilution of hospital space sizes and architectural quality is
not sustainable. Therefore, a 20-year building life-span will be experienced if PFI
hospitals have been built similarly. In the event of this trend continuing, PFI NHS
hospitals will need rebuilding within twenty years. This scenario will require a new
hospital rebuilding programme to commence in 2020, otherwise, the NHS will be
delivering healthcare in out-of-date facilities for 50% of PFI contracts. Concerns for
either outcome are exaggerated by medical ET’s anticipated spatial impact which will
require significant changes over the coming decades.
Scenario 3 – No change: This outcome is based on a scenario where finance is
completely unavailable. In this event, as per previous trends, PFI NHS hospitals will
deteriorate to a post-WII state of decay if they are not flexible.

Table 8.7 Three scenarios for future PFI NHS hospitals.
(ii) The second medical planning area concerns four spatial trends that extrapolate the
durability of future PFI hospital space to be jeopardised (see Table 8.8). The first spatial
trend encompasses all thesis findings which point to a future of hospital space and
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medical planning change. The second spatial trend identifies the wrong medical
planning strategy has been incorporated to cater for these changes. Meanwhile, the third
spatial trend questions the durability of PFI hospitals in response to new financially
driven healthcare policies (2013). This emerging trend is transferring services in non-
PFI hospitals to PFI NHS hospitals where financial commitments are obligatory but
hospital space is at a minimum. Therefore, it is foreseen that future PFI hospital space
will become pressurised greatly from transferred services unaccounted for spatially in
original PFI NHS hospital designs. The fourth spatial trend is driven by a defaulted
approach to hospital design. Louis Sullivan’s ‘form follows function’ principle is
embodied spatially to the extreme in PFI hospitals. For example, hospitals are derived
from clinical briefs but PFI hospitals are designed as fractional units of specific
functional space. This characteristic underpins this thesis’ perspective that PFI NHS
hospitals are contradictory in fundamental nature. An approach to spatial specifics is
inappropriate as hospital space is forever evolving. As architect Bill Rostenberg argues:
A tendency to pack too much functional space into a small, compact area usually will
decrease operational efficiency and limit flexibility (Rostenburg, 2006:178-9).
Architect Susan Francis’ belief further supports the argument that hospitals should not
be designed as bespoke solutions, as models of care change substantially every five-to-
ten years (Gates, 2005:7). Hence, the thesis considers PFI NHS hospitals will not be
durable if a strict approach to spatial specifics was adhered to in original medical
planning schemes.
Overall, the possibility of longevity seems weighted against PFI NHS hospitals. This
perspective is supported by PFI hospitals’ inflexible architectural solutions and lack of
expansion space. To conclude, a bleak vision for spatial flexibility in PFI NHS hospitals
is forecast by this thesis particularly for many urban block acute hospital buildings
whose designs ignored the spatial failures of precedent late-20th century NHS hospitals.
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Spatial trend Anticipated concerns from spatial trends
(i) New medical This study’s trends and spatial implications identify major
planning arrangements problems for PFI hospitals when evolving departments
driven by medical ETs cannot be catered for spatially.
Additional area to certain briefed rooms, such as, large high-
tech rooms, was identified as insufficient in section 7.3.2.
(ii) Wrong future
For example: (i) one PFI spatial strategy is a shelled-out OT
spatial strategy for
room (55sqm). This is incorrect as new spaces in OTs will
evolving technologies
need distributing evenly; (ii) difficulties in replanning-
existing columns disallow for new column free spaces.
(iii) Transfer of Closures at other hospitals are transfering services to PFI
services to PFI hospitals for financial reasons. Expensive PFI rented space
hospitals will become pressurised.
(iv) Incorrect approach By designing hospital space to HBN minimum standards,
to design spatial flexibility is limited functionally.
Table 8.8 Four spatial trends envisioned to jeopardise PFI hospital space.
This chapter has visualised broad trends for anticipated medical ETs in future urban
acute hospitals. Spatial and medical planning visions for the year 2025 were delivered
through three clinical UAT scenarios. This chapter’s attempts to visualise an alternative
future show medical ETs enhancing medical processes that will impact spatially on
hospital environments in novel and different ways. Medical ETs are still in primitive
forms but a future where technology does not impose on architecture is encouraged and
has been shown to have potential. This finding reveals that spatial implications will
allow for a shift in existing departmental boundaries. This revolution will demand a new
medical planning model, that is composed of spatial parameters that are driven by
medical ETs and new medical practices identified throughout the thesis.
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The study emphasises the importance of alternative medical planning solutions,
particularly those that implement future spatial flexibility at the 1:1000 scale. From
findings, the durability of PFI NHS hospitals was determined as questionable. This
decision was based on an assessment of spatial trends necessary for success that are
underpinned by principles of spatial availability and adaptability. On this basis, the
chapter closes with a final conclusion; flexible design solutions are obligatory for the
success of future urban acute NHS hospitals.
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Chapter 9: Conclusion
“We should all be concerned about the future because we have to spend the rest of our
lives there”
Charles Kettering
Chapter 9
9.0 Introduction
Chapter 9 summarises the thesis argument and objectives set out in Chapter 1 and
assesses the degree to which each goal was achieved and the contribution made to the
knowledge of medical planning. Thereafter, recommendations are put forward to guide
medical planners with designing future urban acute NHS hospitals. The chapter closes
with suggestions for further research to develop the area of medical planning.
9.1 Achievement of research objectives
Charles Kettering’s perspective that we should all be concerned about the future is
justified by the inevitability that we have to spend the rest of our lives there. As a
medical planner, the central aim of the thesis was to offer an alternative vision for future
NHS urban acute hospital space.
Part I of the thesis identified the purpose and need for this specific study. This directed
the thesis research argument, aims and objectives in Chapter 1. Theoretical and
contextual backgrounds were set out for investigation in Chapter 2 while Chapter 3
outlined the self-created single future prospective methodology adopted to achieve all
four thesis objectives. Part II explored and confirmed technology’s inter-related
relationship with hospital space. Thesis findings were incorporated into Chapter 7’s
investigation of medical ETs which extrapolated a set of trends for future medical
practice. All findings were collated to form Chapter 8’s scenarios which underpinned
the assessment of whether flexible design solutions are necessary in NHS hospitals.
Four objectives directed data collection and analysis. The success in achieving each
objective is assessed next.
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The first objective was; to confirm the assumed relationship between hospital space and
technology. Investigations of post-1800 medical planning and equipment events
confirm that there is indeed a link between technological innovation and hospital space.
This is based on thesis findings that reveal hospital spatial revolutions occurred
simultaneously or immediately after advances in medical technologies took pace. For
example, many new hospital spaces and departments appeared soon after the inventions
of electrical medical equipment were introduced into hospital practice.
The second objective was: to investigate technology’s influence as a driver of hospital
medical planning. This objective was met by quantitatively assessing post-1800 British
hospital space. Case study results revealed that high-tech hospital space increased
dramatically between 1950-2012 but a defined ratio for spatial evolution was
inconclusive. This outcome, however, does not diminish the role that medical
technologies’ have played in vastly changing the nature of late-20th century hospital
space. For example, the formation of the D&T component and new hospital typologies,
such as, the ‘matchbox-on-a-muffin’ model, are testament to the impact of technological
innovation on medical planning. Hence, as a core factor in reconfiguring hospital space,
medical technology was determined as a dominant driver of hospital medical planning.
The third objective was: to investigate the implications of medical ETs for future UAT
treatments and their associated spaces. Broad medical trends were identified for three
medical ETs of biotechnology, robotics and cyborgization. The implications of each
technology revealed an alternative future for many existing UAT medical practices.
Changes to many existing spatial requirements will be necessary for delivering future
medical treatments. Scenarios revealed that future healthcare environments will differ
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significantly from existing NHS hospitals reinforcing the hypothesis that medical ETs
will have a radical impact on the configuration of future urban acute hospital space.
The fourth objective was: to assess the necessity for flexible hospital design solutions.
This objective was met by examining existing and alternative futures for PFI NHS
hospitals with respect to medical ETs. Investigations indicate that fundamental changes
are forecast for the spatial and medical planning of future urban acute hospitals with
flexibility identified as essential for future-proofing PFI hospital space against future
technology changes. Therefore, the current study firmly supports the necessity for
flexible hospital design solutions.
9.2 Contributions of research
By investigating the area of medical technology and hospital space, this empirical
research has made several contributions to developing the theoretical area of medical
planning.
 The study’s main theoretical contribution has been confirming medical
technology’s relationship with hospital space which underpins the hypothesis
that medical ETs will radically impact on future urban acute hospital space.
Findings provided critical knowledge concerning the spatial impact of
technological innovation. Specifically, that a consistent trend in the reduction of
medical equipment size exists as they evolve.
 The study uncovered clear evidence that technological innovation is indeed a
dominant driver of the configuration of hospital space. It generated: a record and
analysis of revolutionary medical planning events (400BC-2012); mapped the
evolution of medical technology developments in hospitals (post-1800);
performed a quantitative analysis of high-tech space for London’s hospitals
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(1840-2012); provided an understanding of the current state of NHS hospital
space with regards to high-tech space; identified current hospital design drivers
and anticipated trends that are driving spatial change.
 The research examined three medical ETs which indicate future medical
equipment sizes to be either smaller than or equal to existing medical
technologies. This finding contributes to knowledge; current medical planning
strategies that ‘super-size’ rooms is incorrect for responding to future medical
technology change.
 The research has produced a body of empirical evidence that identified trends
and outcomes for future UAT practices and medical technologies. Findings
informed the creation of alternative medical planning solutions which contribute
theoretically to ‘outside-the-box’ concepts for designing future hospital space.
 The research indicated that flexible design solutions are necessary for future-
proofing PFI NHS hospital space. This finding contributes to confirming the
concern that the durability of PFI NHS hospitals is questionable.
9.3 Practical recommendations for future medical planning research
A series of practical recommendations are listed for future medical planning research.
 The study recommends that a central database is created explicitly for NHS
hospital design. The central archive should be an accessible electronic database
open to all and contain: historic hospital plans; original and updated PFI hospital
drawings; relevant data regarding NHS hospitals, such as, lists of medical
equipment and 1:50 drawings.
 The role of hospital archivists’ should be enhanced in preserving vital hospital
design information. Archivists can be justified as data informants for the
proposed new central NHS database.
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 It is recommended that a POE programme is established to measure and monitor
all PFI NHS hospital space. For example, research upon the ongoing spatial
impact of emerging robotics in surgery. Benefits of a POE programme will
create cost-saving strategies that encourage the long-term sustainability of NHS
hospital estates.
 The implications of medical ETs and future practices need to be more widely
disseminated among medical planners. More academic research on these
subjects needs to be done and published to fill the gap in knowledge.
 Investment is key to all recommendations but shortfalls in this area are hindering
the creation of new medical planning models that cater for medical ETs.
However, the cost benefits of conducting HDR at present, specifically a detailed
study of all Nucleus hospitals, outweigh the cost of having to rebuild the
nations’ NHS hospitals in the not so distant future.
 Flexible architectural solutions are key to all future hospital designs. Research
dedicated to creating new construction methods, that embed ETs, needs to be
developed and disseminated amongst architects.
 The challenge of uncertainty for medical planners can be explored by engaging
in creative theories for inconsistency. Visions can be supported by past and
anticipated trends provided within this thesis. Additionally, medical planners can
draw from alternative medical planning approaches included within thesis
scenarios that are underpinned with research into medical ETs.
9.4 Suggestions for further research
The following are suggestions for further research upon medical ETs and its
implications upon future hospital space.
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 The study explored three medical ETs but future studies that focus on individual
technologies would provide a comparison between findings and results
presented in this general study. For example, a focused study upon
nanomedicine and its use within emergency care would contribute to the gap in
medical planning knowledge and strengthens findings that emerged from this
study’s investigation.
 Changes to hospital space are anticipated to respond to the growing mobility of
medical ETs. Therefore, it is important to continue research, particularly at the
1:50 design scale, to develop spatial principles that respond to future
technologies.
 The current study measured central London NHS acute hospitals only. Future
empirical studies should explore alternative combinations of parameters, such
as, types of hospital typology and location. Findings would make for informative
comparison against the parameters of this particular study to enhance the
understanding of medical technologies’ impact on future hospital space.
 The study’s sample represents only 3.4% of NHS acute hospitals. Further
investigations that encompass a larger sample size are recommended to
quantitatively measure the differences between PFI and D&B high-tech space as
findings proved inconclusive within the context of this study.
 The thesis focuses on NHS public hospitals explicitly. A study of private
hospitals would offer an alternative perspective, as the organisation of healthcare
is driven by different parameters. As stated previously, this is a main reason why
American research cannot be implemented directly in NHS hospitals. Research
upon this variable is very much needed to provide useful data to benefit the
design and operation of NHS hospitals.
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The thesis demonstrates hospital space and medical technologies are linked strongly.
Further to this, the impact of medical ETs on future urban acute hospital space is
indicated to be radical. Important medical planning findings provide insight into future-
proofing NHS hospitals. As a source of guidance for medical planners in designing
future urban acute hospitals with respect to medical ETs, this study will assist in
creating a foundation for a new hospital architecture.
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Appendix A
Appendix A
1.1 Background to thesis
Clinical example: If an MRI machine breaks down
 Out-patient appointments are cancelled causing serious disruption to the
organisation of patient waiting times
 Acute patients may need to be transferred to another hospital
 Use of alternative radiological machines creates delays and inaccurate
diagnosis possibilities
 Death of patient due to delay in diagnosis and treatment
Non-clinical example: If any part of the IT network system goes down
 Patient records are inaccessible
 Out-patient appointments are cancelled
 Pharmacy deliveries are cancelled and pathological results are delayed
 Physicians and nurses cannot analyse scan results for diagnosis
 Information from the Imaging department is delayed or inaccessible
 Remote patients cannot be treated from home
 Patients dietary requirements may be wrongly diagnosed
 Security network may be penetrated
 ICU monitoring may be effected
 Death of patient due to time delay of information or treatment
Appendix A.1 Tabled examples: Failure of technology in hospitals.

Appendix A
1.2 Thesis argument
Based on a series of sub-questions, four research objectives were established to assist
with proving the thesis argument:
Based on a defined relationship that exists between hospital space and technology,
anticipated ET in future medical practice will radically affect future urban acute
hospital space.
Thesis objectives Sub-questions

1. To confirm the assumed - What is the relationship between hospital space
relationship between hospital and technology?
space and technology.
2. To investigate technology’s - Is technology a key driver of hospital space?
influence as a driver of hospital - How does technology influence hospital space
medical planning. and medical planning?
3. To investigate the implications - What medical ET are predicted?
of ET for future UAT treatments - What fundamental differences exist between
and associated spaces. existing and future medical technologies?
- How will ET affect medical practice in hospitals?
- Will the changes to medical practice impact on
hospital space?
- How will the incorporation of ET affect future
hospital space?
- What spatial and medical planning trends can be
identified?
4. To assess the necessity for - Are current ‘state-of-the-art’ PFI NHS acute
flexible hospital design solutions. hospitals sufficiently future-proofed to cope with
future technology changes that will sustain
complete clinical and spatial functionality
throughout their contracted 35-40 year life span?
- Is flexibility required to respond to the future use
of ET in future urban acute hospitals?
Appendix A.2 List of thesis objectives and sub-questions.

Appendix B
Appendix B
2.1.1 The Paimio Sanatorium, Alvar Aalto
Appendix B.1 Zagreb central hospital competition plan, 1931 (Schildt, 1994:69).
Appendix B.2 From left to right: Aalto’s Paimio chair (manufactured by Artek),
Aalto’s Splash-free sinks, model of The Paimio Sanatorium [Online]. Available at:
http://www.designboom.com/history/aalto/paimio.html (Accessed: 12th July 2011).
2.1.2 Northwick Park Hospital, John Weeks
Appendix B.3 Masterplan of Northwick Park Hospital (Weeks, 1963-4:103).

Appendix B
2.1.2 Northwick Park Hospital, John Weeks
Appendix B.4 Left to right: Model and front entrance perspective of Northwick Park
Hospital (Weeks, 1966:338-9).
2.1.3. Ospedale Civile, Le Corbusier
Appendix B.5 Masterplan and section (project 3, 1965) of Ospedale Civile (Sarkis,
2001).
Appendix B.6 Plan of ward level and section through the Ospedale Civile. Third
iteration of the project between 1964-6 (Sarkis, 2001:74).
Appendix B
Appendix B.7 Department of Health Standard Form Project Agreement Version 3

(DOH, 2005:27).
PITN, Documentation to be issued to the bidders by the Trust to include:

 BOQ
 Service Level Specifications
 Risk Transfer assumptions
 Output specs for big ticket items
Appendix B.8 PFI guidance for medical equipment (DOH, 2005:2).
2.3.1 Background to technology development
Appendix B.9 Toffler: Defining the three waves of change as events occurred
(Rizvanov, 1997).
Appendix B.10 Toffler: Three ‘waves of change’ (Krechmer,1999: Table 1)1.
1
Presented at the First IEEE Conference on Standardization and Innovation in Information Technology
(SIIT), September 16, 1999, Aachen, Germany. Technical Communications Standards: New Directions in
Appendix B
2.3.5 Robert A. Freitas, Jr.: Nanomedicine
Appendix B.11 Table 1: A Partial nanomedicine technologies taxonomy (Freitas Jr.,

2005: 328-9).
Innovation by Ken Krechmer, Fellow, International Center for Standards Research University of
Colorado at Boulder Communications Standards Review [Online]. Available at:
http://www.csrstds.com/siit.html (Accessed: 30th July 2013).
Appendix C
Appendix C
3.1.1 Identifying research variables
(v) Technological specification Four ET omitted from reseach
(i) Light emissions/laser technology (LET): Based on photonic theories, this
technology manipulates light for the transportation of information. With very strong
structural and lighting characteristics, this technology has future possibilities for the
architectural environment. Although the discovery of nanotubes has greatly evolved
LET, as of yet, no practical applications have been discovered of relevance to this study.
(ii) Optical computing/Interactive motion technology: At UCL’s London Centre for
Nanotechnology1, numerous applications are in progress using optical computing
technology. The hope is to create a diagnostic formula that does not use radiography for
the treatment of breast lesions. The Weizmann Institute in Israel is making similar
progress with this technology by developing medical equipment for the diagnoses of
breast tumours. Both ET are extremely promising but only address a small sector of
medical care rather than the broad field expectations which this study wishes to address.
(iii) Wave technology: Involving the use of light, heat and radio waves, wave
technology is breaking new ground through the exploration of different parts of the light
spectrum. For example, research at the Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Centre is
focusing on disrupting cancer cells by bioelectric pulses and open spine surgery
(Combs, 2006:1310). Again this technology is limited to a specific medical area.
1
Working with Quantua-Image, Photonics, Mytec Technologies and Lockheed companies.
Appendix C
(iv) Quantum Dots (QDs): In 1981, Feynman suggested a theory for quantum
computers which he anticipated information storage could be located at the atomic
level. Incorporating quantum theories, engineers are currently focusing on the
development of QDs whose main goal is to store infinite digital information at extreme
speeds. This novel technology can potentially replace Moore’s Law for computer
technology where huge memory spaces at faster rates will significantly develop medical
technologies into the next generation of powerful medical equipment. From a medical
perspective, ‘the use of quantum dots for biological applications is one of the fastest
moving fields of nanotechnology today’ as QDs are used for fluorescence in MRI and
CT contrasting agents. As Freitas explains:
Quantum dots are being investigated as chemical sensors, for cancer cell
detection, gene expression studies, gene mapping and DNA microarray
analysis,...medical diagnostics and drug screening,...vascular imaging, and many
other applications (Freitas Jr., 2005:3).
At present, QDs production status is limited but its potential is hugely anticipated for all
existing and future technologies.
Appendix C.1 Technological specification of four ET identified but omitted from

research.
Appendix C.2 Typical clinical adjacency matrix for designing an acute hospital: MHMI
Departmental Matrix (Burke, 2008).
Appendix C
Appendix C.3 Typical clinical adjacency matrix for designing an acute hospital (Burke,
2008).
Appendix C.4 Left: Exemplar Concept map No. 7 investigates the influences of
medicine on hospital design. Right: Exemplar Concept Map No.10: To establish the
influences of hospital design.
List of influences
1. Demographics 6. Medical professions 11. Finance
2. Epidemiology 7. Processes of care 12. Legislation
3. Medical knowledge 8. Government policy 13. Urban environment/climate
4. Delivery of care 9. Infection control 14. Medical technologies
5. Model of care 10. Hospital organisation 15. Hospital design research
Appendix C.5 Results from concept mapping: List of fifteen influences.
Appendix C
Appendix C.6 Left: Division of hospital design factors into external and internal
influences. Right: Influences of hospital design divided into groups.
List of Relationships
Influence Influential upon
Technology:  Medical knowledge
 Delivery of care
 Processes of care
 Model of care
 Medical professions
 Finance
Knowledge:  Delivery of care
 Epidemiology
Delivery of care:  Processes of care
 Medical professions
Model of care:  Medical professions
 Hospital organisation
Processes of care:  Medical professions
Finance:  Legislation
 Government policy
Legislation:  Government policy
Hospital organisation:  Government policy
Delivery of care:  Infection control
Epidemiology:  Urban environment & climate
 Demographics
Demographics:  Urban environment & climate
Hospital design research:  Delivery of care
 Model of care
 Processes of care
Appendix C.7 Results from concept mapping: Twenty four relationships established.
Appendix C
No. of identified
Grouping Factors
relationships
 Medical technologies  6
 Medical knowledge  3
 Delivery of care  5
Medical  Model of care  4
 Medical profession  4
 Hospital design research  3
 Processes of care  4
 Hospital organisation  2
 Government policy  3
Organisational
 Finance  3
 Legislation  2
 Demographics  1
 Infection control  1
Environmental  Urban environment &  1
climate
 Epidemiology  4
Total  15 design factors  24 relationships
Appendix C.8 Table of external and internal influences highlighting which factors are
dominant influences in the design of urban acute hospital.
Group External Group Internal

1. Demographics and 1. Medical knowledge & practice
epidemiology 2. Changing roles
A 2. Urban environment/climate C 3. Delivery and processes
4. Medical technologies
1. Government 1. Patient care and requirements

legislation/policy 2. Organisation
B 2. Finance D 3. Infection control
3. Research in design
Appendix C.9 Chart of external and internal influences on hospital design

Appendix C
3.3 Research framework
Appendix C.10 John Ratcliffe: The Prospective process (Krawczyk & Ratcliffe,
2005:8).
3.5 Quantitative framework: Case study sample criterion
High-tech Building Components: Clinical & non-clinical areas

Department Functionality
1. A&E Resuscitation, trauma, observation and assessment
Diagnostics through the use of high-spec technology: Multi-
2. Imaging slice CT scanner, PET/CT scanner, Fluoroscopy, General Xray,
MRI
3. Theatres Specialist and interventional theatres, anaesthetic rooms, etc.
4. Endoscopy Diagnostics and treatment via varied endoscopes
5. Pharmacy High-tech laboratory areas with higher M&E requirements
6. Pathology High-tech laboratory areas with higher M&E requirements
7. Nuclear Medicine Radiography for cancer treatment
8. CSSD2 Sterile services for all equipment
9. Mortuary Post-mortems and body storage
10. Kitchen Food provision

11. Laundry Hospital hygiene
12. FM Facility Management has many supporting departments
Appendix C.11 High-tech hospital components.
Low-tech Building Components: Clinical & non-clinical areas

Department Activity
1. OPD Consultation, examination and minor procedural areas
Located separate from clinical areas due to different functional
2. Wards
requirements, environmental conditions and constructional costs
3. Intensive nursing care units
ICU/HDU/CCU
Administration accommodation located throughout hospitals,
4. Offices functions as a non-clinical support service. Includes medical
records
Facilities for teaching such as seminar rooms, classrooms, or
5. Teaching
simulator rooms.
Appendix C.12 Low-tech hospital components.
3.6 Data Collection
Case study No.1: The Royal London Hospital

Dates Time spent
Duration for locating drawings Jan. 2009 – May 2010 17 months
Measuring/logging drawings May 2009- April 2010 12 months
Calculation of measured drawings April 2010 1 month
Tabling measured data June 2010 – July 2010 2 months
Appendix C.13 Journal of collected data for Case Study No.1: The Royal London
Hospital.
2
CSSD - Central sterile services department
Appendix C
3.6 Data Collection
Case study No.1: The Royal London Hospital

No. of Hard Electronic
Plans Measured Organisation
floors copy copy
1832 Yes 5 By hand Yes No Voluntary
1950 Yes 6 By hand Yes No NHS
2000 Yes 8 By hand Yes No NHS
Varied: Yes,
By hand,
2012 Plans & 20 except Yes NHS/PFI
except PP*
SOA PP*
* PP Relates to the new Pharmacy and Pathology building. Area calculations were taken
directly from SOA spreadsheets.
Appendix C.14 Tabled format of process for measuring plans dating 1832-2010.
Case study No.2: St. Thomas’ Hospital

Dates Time spent
Duration for locating drawings 2 weeks at St.
Feb. 2009 – Aug. 2009
Thomas’s offices
Measuring/logging drawings
Sept. 2009 – Dec. 2009 4 months
Calculation of measured drawings
March 2010 1 month
Tabling measured data
May 2010 – July 2010 3 months
Appendix C.15 Journal of collected data for Case Study No.2: St. Thomas’ Hospital
Case study No.2: St. Thomas’ Hospital Organisation

No. of floors
Hard copy
Electronic
Measured
Plans
copy
1880 Varied 6 By hand Yes Yes Royal
1900 Varied 6 By hand Yes Yes Royal
1950 Varied 6 By hand Yes Yes NHS

By Excel
Max. Majority of
2010 Varied spread Yes NHS
15 plans available
sheet
Appendix C
3.6 Data Collection
Case study No.3: The Chelsea and Westminster Hospital

Dates Time spent
Jan. 2009 – Full set of electronic
Duration for locating drawings
March 2009 drawings received by email.
June 2009-July
Measuring/logging drawings 2 months
2009
Calculation of measured drawings April 2010 1 month
Tabling measured data June 2010 1 month
Appendix C.17 Journal of collected data for Case Study No.3: The Chelsea and
Westminster Hospital.
Case study No.3: The Chelsea and Westminster Hospital

No. of Hard Electronic
Plans Measured Organisation
floors copy copy
Voluntary/
Prior
NA* NA* NA* NA* NA* NHS on
1990
different site
2012 Yes 8 By hand Yes Yes PFI
Case study No.4: UCLH

Dates Time spent
Drawings received
Duration for locating drawings May 2009- Aug.
electronically with
2011(?)
updated spreadsheets
Measuring/logging drawings August 2011 1 month
Calculation of measured drawings September 2011 1 month
Tabling measured data Oct 2011 1 month
Appendix C.19 Journal of collected data for Case Study No.4: UCLH
Case study No.4: UCLH

Plans No. of Measured Hard Electronic Organisation
floors copy copy
1832
- N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A Voluntary/NHS
2006
By excel
2006 Varied 20 No Yes PFI
spreadsheet
Appendix C
3.7 Data analysis: Case studies
List of Terminologies
1. Gross Departmental Area (GDA): All departmental areas are measured to the
centre line of a departmental boundary wall.
2. Gross Communications Area (GCA): is the abbreviation for all communication
or circulation areas between departments, commonly known as ‘Comms.’. This
includes lift cores and stairways unless specifically designated to a particular
department. The calculation of ‘Comms.’ areas are to the centre line of the boundary
walls or flush to the division line of an open space.
3. Gross Plant Area (GPA): Plant includes all plant areas throughout the building.
This includes all risers and is also measured to the central line of the wall.
4. Gross Facility Management Area (GFMA): Designated Facility Management
(FM) areas are only present in PFI hospital plans. They relate to the non-clinical
areas designated to a consortium’s FM areas. As the ownership of estates has
changed under PFI, FM spaces are not new types or additional spaces. They are
calculated separately for financial reasons only. The GFMA refers to the hospital
building’s total FM areas.
5. Gross Building Area (GBA): GBA is the total area of the building which is the
combined calculations for GDA + GCA + GPA + GFMA.
Appendix C.21 List of terminologies and descriptions.

Appendix C
3.8 Data Analysis: Scenario creation
Department Room List ADB Procedure HBN Number

List code Type
1. Resuscitation room X0231 Diagnostic & HBN 22 (2005)
A&E 2. Assessment room C0302 Treatment
3. Multi-functional room X0242
4. General X-ray E0124 Diagnostic HBN 06V2
5. Ultrasound E0119 (April 2003)
Imaging 6. CT suite E0601
7. MRI suite E0801
8. MRI Control room E0804
9. Operating Theatre N0106 Diagnostic & HBN 26 Vol. 1
10. Anaesthetic room N0316 Treatment (2004)
Theatres 11. Scrub N0216
12. Preparation T0526
13. Dirty Utility Y0420
14. Automated Laboratory L0201 Diagnostic HBN 15 2nd ed.
15. Laboratory: L0301 (2005)
Microbiology
16. Laboratory: L0413
Pathology Haematology
Histopathology
Cytopathology
19. Preparation room Z0404 Treatment HBN 14-01
20. Aseptic room Z0303 (2007)
21. Container unpacking Z0403
Pharmacy
& prep
22. Sterilization Z0408
23. Inspection & labelling Z0410
Appendix C.22 Table of 23 departmental room names chosen for scenario creation in
Chpater 8 (HBN documents).
Appendix D
Appendix D
Appendix D.1 Background to Pre-1600 healthcare and hospital design: On
commencing this investigation, the assumption for revolutionary occurrences in British
hospital design was sourced around the NHS’s establishment (1948). Findings were,
however, counterintuitive requiring an alternative and relevant timeframe for Part II’s
exploration to be determined. This led to a widespread exploration dating back to
400BC as long periods of time existed between milestone events. While only a few pre-
1600 revolutionary events emerged, they underpin Part II’s exploration of
understanding past and present hospital design and the origins of medical planning. Two
medical influences - knowledge and practice – were found to be dominant factors of
pre-1600 hospital design.
The first medical influence encompasses new medical knowledge, its central position in
driving medical progression and other hospital design factors. One major event
revolutionised pre-1600 medical knowledge - the writings by Galen of Pergamum
(140AD). As per the 16th century physician Theodore Zwinger1, western medicine had
originated in 400BC2 where the Ancient Greeks had begun practising principles of
human wellbeing (Nutton, 2006:47). This knowledge led medical practice throughout
Europe for numerous centuries until Galen’s radical theories led to the formation of a
new medical agenda (van den Berg, 2005:10).. This new ‘classical humorism’ was a
simple model of care that remained unchanged for over fifteen hundred years. As the
only method of medical practice during this time, this second medical influence
required no specified spatial requirements (Porter, 2006:85). However, considering the
innovativeness of humoral thinking it seems unusually significant that no further
1
Zwinger, T. (1533-1588) was a Basle physician and medical professor. In 1570, he traced the ancestry
of medicine back to the Greeks in his Theatrum Vitae Humanae.
2
While literature documents medical practice far earlier in ancient Mesopotamia, Egypt, India, China and
the Far East, the origins in the thesis refer to Western medicine i.e. Asclepius, Hippocrates and Aristotle.
Appendix D
knowledge was formed for more than a millennium. Literature unanimously attributes
the cause of restrictive growth to ecclesiastical dictatorship. Two explanations elucidate
the continuation of religious domination.
(i) An integrated relationship between power and medical practice: Under
Roman rule (100BC-70AD), only male soldiers and domestic slaves received
medical care3 (Verderber, 2003:286). Therefore, when ecclesiastical care opened its
service to all, not surprisingly, this charitable source of healthcare flourished. The
outcome created a massive grassroots network that became critical to the Christian
Church’s future development. On the collapse of the Roman Empire, the Christian
Church, already organisers of the Roman Empire’s official religion, quickly usurped
the void in European power4. Their expansion became one of ubiquitous domination
i.e. throughout finance, education and healthcare (Verderber, 2003:287). For
example, medical historian Roy Porter records the Church’s belief ‘in the sanctity of
the body’ which, in forbidding the exposition of bodies5, controlled pathological
exploration. As a result, the progress of anatomical knowledge remained stagnated
until after the Black Death (1348) (Porter, 2006:136). In a bid to understand the
cause of so many fatalities, the Papacy finally allowed for anatomical investigations
to take place. This instigated a major revolution that commenced the beginning of
contemporary medicine (Barry &, 2005:13-4; Porter, 2006:137).
3
Only a basic level of care was administered to males in valetudinarians (100BC-70AD).
4
The Christian Church was inaugurated as the official religion of the Roman Empire 313AD (Porter,
2006:55).
5
As the salvation of souls was paramount to the Christian religion, physical treatment remained
insignificance. In fact, as pain and suffering guaranteed a pathway to heaven, spiritual care maintained its
status as the main methodology for care until the 1600’s.
Appendix D
(ii) Accessibility to knowledge: Far from today’s colossal access to information, by
the 9th century, access to western knowledge was immensely curtailed by the
existence of only one thousand books. Additionally, most of these manuscripts were
written in Latin6 (Nutton, 2006:62). Consequently, limited writings, language
barriers and high illiteracy rates all contributed to a restricted dispersion of
knowledge. More significantly, the producers of literature were predominantly of the
religious orders. They censored all literature in which medical knowledge was
embedded, disallowing for medical knowledge and medicine to progress.
Pre-1600 medical practice was similarly experienced in Britain as the rest of Europe.
Evidence of religious orders providing limited healthcare is recorded within the
Doomsday Book (1086AD) and Mappa Mundi (c.1200AD7) (Barry & Carruthers,
2005:5). Therefore, in mapping pre-1600 events, British medical practice was controlled
by religious orders until the English Reformation in 1608.
Appendix D.3 Left: The Asclepieion at Epidauros (300BC), the birthplace of

Asclepius, was the most celebrated healing centre of the Classical world. Consisting of
the enkoimitiria (large sleeping hall), ill people would dream for godly advise to restore
their health. Right: Plan of Asclepieion of Epidauros 5th century BC (Thomson &
Goldin, 1975:3).
6
The books in question were illuminated manuscripts i.e. Book of Kells, Ireland. These ornate documents
took years to complete, slowing the procedure of reproducing and distributing information.
7
Mappa Mundi listed all monasteries, castles and waterways that existed at this time. While not of great
accuracy prior the medieval period, it is consistently stated that religious orders ran everything. Only a
few hospitals were listed, however, the Knights Templar’s and Knights Hospitallers were listed as the
only hospitals in London (no mention of St Bartholomew’s Hospital from 1123).
Appendix D
Appendix D.2 Gorski, H. (2003) Remains of the Kos Asclepieion [Online]. Available
at://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Kos_Asklepeion.jpg (Accessed: 18th August 2009).
The impact of healthcare control reflected through to its architecture. No fundamental
changes in medical planning were recorded during the Christian Church’s reign of
power. The architectural status was one of simplicity, which was in keeping with
medical knowledge and practice. For example, derived from Ancient Greek temples,
monastic infirmaries were arrranged around the simplicity of spirtual care (see
Appendix D.2-3). In response, their buildings were simply designed, possessing heavy
religious influences, such as, a crucifix form typology that consisted of a large
rectilinear open space that was centred on an altar (Verderber, 2003:287; Barry &
Carruthers, 2005:3). Reinforcing the insignificance of the physical body, no medical
treatment areas existed. Infirmaries had:
Developed into buildings with large open wards featuring an alter....to ensure
patients could hear and see religious services (Miller & Swennson, 1995:40).
Located centrally or at opposite ends, the alter became the focal point for praying sick
patients. This was the only driving factor for internal medical planning of ecclesiastical
architecture (see Appendix D.4).
Appendix D.4 Right: 12th century Monastic Infirmary, Canterbury Cathedral (Barry &
Carruthers, 2005:1).
Appendix D
Appendix D.5 Left: Basic barn structure for patients, 3rd century BC, Netherlands
(Thomson & Goldin, 1975:12). Right: Plan of a first century fortress (c. 9BC-220AD)
1. Barrack blocks, 3. Granaries, 6. Hospital, 7. Tribunes house.
In Britain, basic healthcare facilities existed since Roman times. Facilities were situated
within military forts and fortresses consisting of large open rectilinear rooms (see
Appendix D.5):
Large fortress hospitals, as at Chester (England) or Inchtuthil (Scotland), were for

legionaries (not locals), and were designed on a plan of rooms opening off a square
corridor. Situated usually many miles behind the frontier, they catered for the
sick....but a change in military strategy around 220 to reliance on a mobile fieldforce
put an end to these permanent hospitals (Porter, 2006:54).
When the Roman Empire fell, the UK was thrown into the Dark Ages (400AD-
1050AD). Innovation, new knowledge and hospital architecture all ceased with existing
timber structures disintergrating. However, the thesis acknowledges one significant pre-
1600 typology - the Baths of Caraculla dating 250AD. In response to Galen’s theories,
the Romans developed a highly sophisticated architectural response to wellbeing. At
Caraculla, the design was intented purposely to exercise mind, body and soul. It
included the segregation between male and female as well as hot and cold treatments.
Spaces were appointed functionally for the separatation of treatments i.e. frigidarium
for fitness, hot bath for sweating or libraries for knowledge8 (Furneaux Jordan, 1991:52-
4). This high level of complexity is the basis from which this thesis considers the Baths
of Caracalla to be the first revolution in medical planning (see Appendix D.6).
8
Based upon classical humorism, the practice of sweating was part of cleansing the bodies’ homours.
Appendix D
Appendix D.6 Baths of Caraculla (250AD) organised different treatments and ailments
through the use of sophisticated planning and technology (Furneaux Jordan, 1991:53).
Aside the Baths of Caraculla, it became apparent that pre-1600 hosptial design
development was rather non-eventful specifically with relevance to technology’s
influence upon space. While great strides occurred in architecture i.e. Romanesque and
Gothic architecture, the medical planning of hospitals remained stagnated until 1600. A
synopsis of this section establishes:
(i) Ecclesiastical care directly influenced medical knowledge, practice and hospital
design that resulted in no specialised spaces for medical treatments
(ii) Infirmary numbers increased but innovation was not present
(iii) A simple open plan with no medical planning issues existed until 1600 (except
the Baths of Caracalla).

Appendix D
4.1.3 Analysis of organisational findings
A. Type of
Location B. Internal influences C. External influences
Organisation
1. Ancient
Greeks Gods and priests None
Greece
2. Roman Took control of care,
Christianity Ecclesiastical power
Empire powerful political
Ecclesiastical care UK Crown policy
3. UK Reformation
ceased closed all down.
New organisation
4. UK Royals UK Crown policy.
(fee paying)
Governors and powerful
5. UK Voluntary Charity
clinicians (freecare)
1946 NHS
6. UK NHS NHS management
Health Act.
PFI transfers ownership
7.UK NHS/PFI NHS 2000 Plan,
and control of estates.
Appendix D.7 Tabled events of organisational influences in hospital design dating

400BC-date.
A. Type of D. Architectural E. Architectural F. Org.
Location
Organisation Impact Analysis Analysis
1.
Ancient Greeks Asclepeions Influential
Volumes
Greece
rather than
2.
Building of monastic Numeric rather than innovation
Roman Christianity
infirmaries innovative
Empire
Huge political
All closed
3. UK Reformation All closed down. influence. All
down.
closed
Only hospitals in
London after 1700.
4. UK Royals Mainly rented.
Rented in Palladian
styled buildings. Important
Rental properties. No
Rented first but
5. UK Voluntary new typologies until
were later built.
Nightingale Wards.
No new buildings until Influential only
Not
6. UK NHS late 1960’s hospital when money is
significant
building programme available
Cost driven, PFI Influential only
Yes -PFI
7.UK NHS/PFI hospital building when money is
ownership
programme available
Appendix D.8 Tabled events of organisational influences in hospital design dating

400BC-date.
Appendix D
400BC-2010 Post 1600 Post 1800

No. of % of % of % of % of % of
events Revolution Year time events time events time
frame frame frame
Ancient 400BC-
1 22.4
Greek 140AD
Galen’s 140AD
2 60.6
Theories -1600 44.4 83
Black death
3 1400s 4.1
- exposition
77.7 91.2
4 Printing 1500s 4.1
5 Renaissance 1600s 4.1
Industrial
6 1850 4.1
Revolution
European
7 1700s 4.1
institutions
55.6 17
Teaching
8 1800s 4.1
hospitals
C20th 22.3 8.8
9 developmen 1900s 4.1
t
Tot
9 2410 100 100 100 100
al
Appendix D.9 Medical Knowledge: Events/revolutions? and timeframes of revolutions

for the development of medical knowledge.
400BC - 2010 Post 1600 Post 1800

frame frame frame
Galen’s 140AD
1 60.6 33.3 83 33.3 91.2
Theories -1850
Clinical
2 1850s 6.6
Gaze 66.7 17 66.7 8.8
3 Acute Care 1930s 3.3
Total 3 2410 100 100 100 100
Appendix D.10 Medical practice: Table of listed timeframes and revolutions for
medical practice.
Appendix D
400BC-2010 Post 1600 Post 1800

events Revolution Year time events time event time
frame frame s frame
Royal &
1600-
1 Voluntary 14.4 20 91.2
1948
hospitals
Public
2 1879
Health Act
Emergency 2.5
100 17
3 Medical 1939
Service Act 80 8.8
4 NHS 1946 2.6
Patient
5 1991 0.08
Charter
Technology
6 1990s 0.08
& Internet
Total 6 2410 100 100 100 100
Appendix D.11 Medical Delivery of care: Revolutions and timeframes of revolutions

for the delivery of care
Appendix D.12 Western Ambulance Station, London 1891 (Higginbotham, 2010).

Appendix D
400BC-2010 Post 1600 Post 1800

frame frame frame
400BC-
1 Separated 22.4
140AD 66.6 83 66.6 91.2
Non- 140-
2 71
separated 1850s
33.3 17 33.3 8.8
3 Separated 1850s+ 6.6
Total 3 2410 100 100 100 100
Appendix D.13 Medical Processes of care: Revolutions and timeframes of revolutions
for the development of medical processes.
Medical No. of No. of

What were they What were they
Influence event rev.s
1. Ancient Greek to
Galen’s Theories
1. Ancient Greek
2. C16th -
2. Galen’s Theories
exposition of
3. Black death –
bodies
exposition
3. Improved
4. Printing
4.2.1 Knowledge 9 6 Communications
5. Renaissance
4. Industrial
6. Industrial Revolution
Revolution
7. European institutions
5. Hospitals-
8. Teaching hospitals
teaching hubs
9. C20th development
6. C20th
pharmaceuticals
1. Galen’s theories
Change in agenda
4.2.2 Practice 3 2. Clinical Gaze 1
(1850s).
3. Acute care
1. Establishment of 1. Change in
Voluntary/ Royal organisation power
hospitals of delivery
2. 1879 Public Health 2. New spaces in
4.2.3 Delivery 6 Act 5 hospitals for
3. 1939 EMS Act ambulances
4. 1946 NHS Act 3. Introduction of
5. 1991 Patient Charter acute care
6. Technology/Internet 4. Mobility of care
1. Non-separated care
Change in process
4.2.4 Processes 3 2. Separated care 3
methodology
3. Non-separated care
Appendix D.14 Medical influences: Historical summary of events and revolutions.
Appendix D
Post 1600 Post 1800

No. of No. of % of No. of % of time
Medical No. of
influences events time events frame
influence events
frame
1 Knowledge 9 5 2
2 Practice 3 2 17 2 8.8
3 Delivery 6 6 5
4 Processes 3 1 1
Total 4 21 14 17 10 8.8
Appendix D.15 Table of events and % timeframes for all medical influences.
Medical Post 1600 Post 1800

Analysis
influence Events% %Time %Events %Time
Events have been
Knowledge 55.6 22.3 increasingly numerous
since 1600.
Events have only occurred
Practice 66.7 66.7
since 1800.
Large amount of events
17 8.8 have occurred since 1600
Delivery 100 80
and particularly since
1800.
A small amount of events
but create radical change
Process 33.3 33.3
once introduced. Has only
happened since 1800.
Appendix D.16 Medical design influences and their relationships.
4.3.1 16th – 20th century hospitals: The source of revolutionary hospital designs
Appendix D.17 Exemplar plans of pavilion type typologies Left: Plan of Moses Taylor
Hospital, Scranton, Pa. Right: Plan of the Civil Hospital, Antwerp (1878), 388 beds
(Thomson & Goldin, 1975:166-7).
Appendix D
4.3.1 16th – 20th century hospitals: The source of revolutionary hospital designs
Architectural
Year Act title Government Description of Act
implication
Liberal With more
Employee contributions
coalition patients going to
National reduce the amount of
1911 hospital more
Insurance Act people depending on
space is required
poor law provisions.
(OPD)
Allowed medical staff Changed the
Emergency
to work between organisation of
1941 Medical Conservative
voluntary and municipal London’s
Service
hospitals. hospitals.
Only
National Creation of NHS/
refurbishments
1946 Health Service Labour Rationalization of
until the 1962
Act organisation.
Hospital Plan
The Hospital £500M for the building 233 new and
1962 Conservative
Plan of new 600 bed DGH’s upgraded hospitals
Regulation 22 Building of
Charter for the Family
1966 of the National Labour numerous centres
Doctor Service
Health Service
Better
Respecting patient
The Patient’s environments,
1991 Conservative privacy and patient
Charter universal room i.e.
focused care
Kingston hospital
NHS Plan Introduction of 100% Change in
2000 Labour
2000 single bedrooms typological form
Appendix D.18 Analysis of Public Health Acts, 1900-2010.
Architectural
Legislation Government Legislation
Year responses to
passed type description
legislation
Local health boards All new buildings to
Sanitation
1866 Conservative became responsible have closed water
Act
for clean water. closets.
Compulsory All citizens were to
Reduced area for
1853 Vaccination Conservative be vaccinated
treating smallpox
Act against Smallpox.
Public Health Running water and New annexes in
1875 Conservative
Acts internal sewers hospitals
New ambulances,
Public Health Added area required
1879 Conservative to take contagious
Act for admissions.
patients to hospital.
Appendix D.19 Analysis of Public Health Acts, 1850-1900.

Appendix D
4.3.2 Early-20th century hospitals
Appendix D.20 Exemplars of sanatorium hospitals9 (National Archives, 1949;

University of Rochester Medical Centre, 1920s).
4.3.3 British Hospital Design Resarch (HDR)
Appendix D.21 Ground floor plan, Nuffield House, Musgrave Park Hospital, Belfast.
This new conceptual layout for a ward template design replaced the Nightingale Ward
with a 6 bedded bay ward. Based upon research conducted by Nuffield Trust, this
design was tested for functionality at Musgrave Park Hospital. This model was later
known as the Nuffield Ward (Monk, 2004:10).
1959 1966 1966
Appendix D.22 Typological examples by Powel & Moya Architects. Swindon was the
first large NHS general hospital that used HBNs (Monk, 2004:11). However, only one
HBN for Wards existed at the time (Weeks, 1999:15). Powell & Moya’s designs were
heavily supported by the Studies in the function and design of hospitals. High Wycombe
Wards consisted of 4-6 bed Nuffield units, of racetrack principle which were located
around a central circulation core. D&T departments were located at ground and first
level floors while services were located under the car park (Monk, 2004:11).
9
Left: National Archives (1949) In 1949 child patients at Braintree Hospital in Essex are lined up for
school lessons. Right: Patients at the J.N. Adam Memorial Hospital , a tuberculosis sanitarium south of
Buffalo, N.Y 1920.
Appendix D
4.3.3 British Hospital Design Resarch (HDR)
Appendix D.23 View, section, aerial view of Swindon hospital, Powell and Moya
Architects (1959) (Monk, 2004:48).
Appendix D.24 Wexham hospital (1950s). 1st type horizontal planning, new ideas, 300
bed (Monk, 2004:59).
Appendix D.25 Best Buy: Bury St Edmunds Hospital (Smyth et. al., 2006:10).
Appendix D
Appendix D.26 Best Buy, Frimley Hospital. Two storey, modular form pierced with
internal courtyards for daylight. The Mark I version, which ‘was designed to be built in
one phase as a hospital of 500-600 beds’ (Watkin, 1978:66; Euchiasmus, 2012).
Appendix D.27 Left: ‘Best Buy’ plan (Noakes, 1982:127). Right: ‘Best Buy’ hospital
by DHSS and COI 1973 (Moss, 1978:11).
Appendix D.28 Left Harness: Southlands, Shoreham-on-Sea, Hospital Design

Partnership (Smyth et. al., 2006:41). Right: The Harness model, Southlands hospital
(Ryan, 2013).
Appendix D
Appendix D.29 St Mary’s, IOW by Ahrends Burton Koralec (ABK) (Monk, 2004:12-3)
4.3.5 Post 1990s: PFI
Appendix D.30 Left:1:200 drawing, Pembury Acute and W&C’s Hospital, RTKL
(2006). Appendix D.31 Mid-Right: Oxford Radcliffe Hospital, RTKL (2006).
Appendix D.32 Left: Norfolk and Norwich Hospital, 1st PFI, Anshen and Allen
(1999). Right: Manchester Acute Hospital, Anshen & Allen (2007).
Appendix D.33 UCLH, Euston Road, London, LD (2005).

Appendix D
4.3.6 Analysis of architectural influences
Govern- Architectural
Act title Description of Act
ment implication
Liberal Employee contributions With more patients
National
coalition reduce the amount of going to hospital
1911 Insurance
people depending on poor more space is
Act
law provisions. required (OPD)
Emergency Allowed medical staff to Changed the
Conser-
1941 Medical work between voluntary organisation of
vative
Service and municipal hospitals. London’s hospitals.
Only
National Creation of NHS/
refurbishments until
1946 Health Labour Rationalization of
the 1962 Hospital
Service Act organisation.
Plan
The 233 new and
Conser- £500M for the building of
1962 Hospital upgraded hospitals
vative new 600 bed DGH’s
Plan
Regulation Charter for the Family Building of
1966 Labour
22 of NHS Doctor Service numerous centres
Better
The
Conser- Respecting patient privacy environments,
1991 Patient’s
vative and patient focused care universal room i.e.
Charter
Kingston hospital
NHS Plan Introduction of 100% Change in
2000 Labour
2000 single bedrooms typological form
Appendix D.34 Tabled analysis of legislation: 1900-2010. (Watkins, 1978:58-70).
Appendix D.35 Lifetime costs of hospital buildings (John Cole, NI Health Estates).
Appendix D
Post 1600 Post 1800

No. of No. of % of time No. of % of time
Architectural No. of
influences events frame event frame
influence events
s
1. Pre-16th 4 0 0
th
2. 16 -20th 4 4 3
3. Early-20th 6 6 17 6 8.8
4. British HDR 8 8 8
5. HDR/PFI results 4 4 4
Total 5 26 22 17 21 8.8
Appendix D.36 Events and revolutions: Timeframes of revolutions for architectural
influences.
No. of
Arch. No. of What were
What were they revolu-
Influence events they
tions
1. Obliteration of From the
ecclesiastical typologies deletion of
2. Rented accommodation hospitals to
3. Nightingale the creation
4.3.1 16th-20th 4 2
ward/pavilion typology of a whole
4. Architectural new
developments generation of
hospitals
1. Sanatoriums
Changes to
2. Improved services
hospital
3. Deep-space planning
architecture,
4.3.2 Early-20th 6 4. Departmental segregation 6
typology and
5. Amalgamation of NHS
medical
and specialist hospitals
planning
6. Matchbox-on-a-muffin
1. Studies in the function
and design of hospitals
Changes to
2. Nuffield Ward
hospital
3. HBN documentation
British architecture,
4.3.3 8 4. Hospital street 4
HDR typology and
5. MOH HDR
medical
6. Automated hospital
planning
7. Powell & Moya works
8. Greenwich Hospital
1. Best-buy model Changes to
2. Harness model architecture,
4.3.4 Results of
4 3. Nucleus model 4 typology,
-5 HDR/PFI
4. PFI programme medical
planning
Appendix D.37 Architectural influences: Historical summary of events and revolutions.
Appendix E
Appendix E
5.0 Introduction
Spatial
Spatial description Area sqm Reference
dimensions mm
Space for storage
1 400 x 1000 0.40 HBN 00-03:82
(high level) Total:
Space for standing at 2.00
1600 x 1000 1.60 HBN 00-03:82
storage (high level)
Space for storage
2 700 x 1000 0.70 HBN 00-03:82
(low/full level)
Total:
Space for standing at
2.30
Storage (low/full 1600 x 1000 1.60 HBN 00-03:82
level)
Workspace bedside
3 800 x 650 0.52 HBN 00-03:48
sink
4 Space for kitchen sink 600 x 650 0.39 HBN 00-03:48
Space for office

5 5.00 HBN 00-03:55
workstation
6 Space for quiet work 1400 x 1600 2.24 HBN 00-03:57
Space for ambulant 1.5 (each) x 9 =
7 seated person 13.5 (per waiting HBN 00-03:88
(waiting) area)
Space for seated 3.0 (each) x 3 = 9.0
8 HBN 00-03:88
wheelchair (waiting) (per waiting area)
Space for child play 2.0 (each) x 3 = 6.0
9 HBN 00-03:88
(waiting) (per waiting area)
Space for office
10 2000 x 2250 5.00 HBN 00-03:90
workstation
Space for
11 2400 x 2500 6.00 HBN 00-03:90
photocopying
Space for wash-hand

12 900 x 400 0.36 HBN 00-03:64
basin (WHB)
Total:
Space for standing at
1.08
wash-hand basin 900 x 800 0.72 HBN 00-03:64
(WHB)
Space for patient on 2800 x

13 4.34 HBN 00-03:70
couch (single assisted) (650+800+100)
Space for patient on
14 2450 x 2800 5.25 HBN 00-03:71
couch (dual assisted)
15 1900 x 900 1.71 HBN 00-03:72
treatment chair
16 treatment chair with 2800 x 1000 2.80 HBN 00-03:72
space for changing
17 treatment chair with 2800 x 800 2.24 HBN 00-03:72
space for examining
Appendix E

18 1060 x 2335 2.48 HBN 40(2):30
Kings Fund bed
Space for Kings Fund HBN 00-03:60,
19 2150 x 2335 5.02
bed movement (dual) HBN 40(2):30
20 Space for shower 2700 x 2700 7.29 HBN 40(2):56

21 Space of WC 1650 x 2350 3.88 HBN 40(2):49
Space for Assisted
22 1900 x 2350 4.47 HBN 40(2):47
WC (AWC)
Space of treatment
23 3700 x 4500 16.65 HBN 40(2):24
room
Space of consult/exam
24 4900 x 3500 17.15 HBN 40(2):17
room
Space for person HBN 40(1):21,

25 1000 x 1200 1.20
standing/walking x2 HBN 40(2):61
Space for standing
26 1000 x 1000 1.00 HBN 40(2):61
person
Space for doctor
27 (standing) treating 1000 x 1000 1.00 HBN 40(2):61
patient
Space for assisted (x
HBN 40(1):22,
28 2) person standing/ 1000 x 1600 1.60
HBN 40(2):61
walking
Space for seated
29 1400 x 700 0.98 HBN 40(2):60
person on chair
Space for assistance
30 1400 x 600 0.84 HBN 40(2):60
beside chair (single)
Space for chair and
31 1700 x 1500 2.55 HBN 40(2):60
assistance (single)

32 operating table & 2150 x 4000 8.60 HBN 26:76
workspace (google)
Space for sitting at
33 1000 x 900 0.9 HBN 00-03:68
workstation
34 Space for workstation 1000 x 700 0.7 HBN 00-03:68
Workspace beside
35 1000 x 700 0.7 HBN 00-03:68
workstation
Excludes circulation 5% planning, 3% engineering or 22% circulation.
Appendix E.1 Table of HBN spatial dimensions and area calculations for quantitative
spatial analysis throughout research.
Appendix E
5.1 Pre-electrification technology
Appendix E.2 Hybrid OR – Cardiac Operating Theatre with Catheter Laboratory (Cath.
Lab.), Nationwide Children’s Hospital, Columbus, Ohio, NBBJ Architects.
Date Event Pioneer

C17th Invention of microscope (Porter, Antoni van Leeuwenhoek -The
2006:140) Netherlands
C17th Development of bacteriology Robert Hooke (UK), Antoni
van Leeuwenhoek, Marcello
Malphigi
1745 Experimented Dr. John Needham, England
1837 Outlined germ theory for fermentation, Physician, Theodor Schwann,
and founder of cell theory in biology Germany
1840 Published a widely read essay on Anatomist, Jakob Henle,
miasma and contagion, listing diseases Germany
he thought were miasmal or contagious
1857-63 Pioneer of germ theory & bacteriology. Chemist, Louis Pasteur, France
Huge benefits for public health and
medical sciences.
1871 Penicillin is found to help with the Surgeon, Joseph Lister,
recovery of wounds England
1843– Work published under Cohn's guidance Medical officer, Robert Koch,
1910 (1876). New science of bacteriology Poland
(the first exact medical science) that
isolating bacteria and differentiated
them.
1881- 85 Anti-rabies vaccine discovered Chemist, Louis Pasteur, France
1887 Petri dish invented Richard Petri
Appendix E.3 Events in bacteriology (Crawford, 2005).
Appendix E
5.1.1 Growth of microscopy (post -1800s)
Date Event Pioneers

Using a primitive, single-lens microscope, observed Microscopist
red blood cells (erythrocytes) as the size of a grain of Antonie van
C17th
sand (Corliss, 2002). Leeuwenhoek,
Holland
Amplified the description of red cells and Physiologist,
18th
demonstrated the role of fibrin in the clotting William Hewson,
century
(coagulation) of blood (T.S.W, 1934). England.
Bone marrow was recognized as the site of blood-cell
19th formation. Along with the first clinical descriptions
General
century of pernicious anaemia, leukaemia, and a number of
other disorders of the blood (Porter, 2006:156-63).
Field of haematology broadens. Studies revealed
Post haemoglobin variations causes disease i.e. sickle cell
World anaemia. Advances in techniques of protein and General
War II enzyme chemistry identified genetic disorders, such
as, leukaemia (Porter, 2006:165-72).
Appendix E.4 Events in haematology.
Date Event Pioneers

Late C18th/ Knowledge about enzymes and metabolism General
early C19th discovered (Porter, 2006:165-72).
Accepted that the word ‘biochemistry’ was first Carl Neuberg,
1903 proposed by European Association for Chemical Chemist,Germany
and Molecular Sciences. EuCheMS.
Department of Biochemistry opens at Cambridge Cambridge, UK.
1914
University, UK.
Biochemistry advances, such X-ray diffraction Watson and Crick
and electron microscopy. Helical model of
1950s
mucleic acid discovered (My Agriculture
Information Bank, 2013).
Appendix E.5 Events in biochemistry.
Appendix E.6 Distributed laboratories, St. Thomas’, 1853 (Barry & Carruthers,
2005:35).
Appendix E
‘Considered the “father of microscopy”, he constructed all his

own equipment using lenses he had made himself....The
specimen to be studied is placed on the pin and is brought
into focus on the small lens by adjusting the two screws. The
glass lens is fixed between two brass plates. The microscope
would have been difficult and uncomfortable to use as the
eye would have to be placed very close to the lens to make
any observations. Lighting the specimen would also have
been difficult’.
Appendix E.7 Leeuwenhoek simple microscope (copy),

Leyden, 1901-1930. Science Museum London [Online].
Available at:
http://www.sciencemuseum.org.uk/broughttolife/objects/display.aspx?id=4740
(Accessed: 1st May 2012).
‘Oliver Wendell Holmes began to offer instruction in

microscopic anatomy at the Tremont Street Medical School in
the late 1840s and was offering practical instruction in the use
of the microscope to medical students at Harvard by 1855.’
Appendix E.8 Oliver Wendell Holmes with his Microscope:

albumen print, circa 1860. The Collections of the Boston
Medical Library [Online]. Available at:
https://www.countway.harvard.edu/chm/rarebooks/exhibits/bro
ad_foundation/broad_foundation3.html (Accessed: 1st May
2012).
Appendix E.9 Left: Compound microscope, E. Leitz, Wetzlar, Germany, 1894

(University of Sydney, 2012). Middle-Right: Microscope (1880): 10” high on a 3” base
with mirror, specimen stand with lyre shaped holder, three apertures between stand and
mirror, single barrel 6” long with screw focusing, magnifying glass attached to mirror
on swivel mount, on objective and eyepiece, no case (Museum of Historical Medical
Artifacts, 2012a).
Appendix E
Left: Appendix E.10 Dr. Henry Fisher examines specimen, Pathology Lab, c.1890s
(University of Pennsylvania, 2012). Right: Appendix E.10a Spatial analysis of
Appedix E.10.
Microscope Area: 0.019sqm (10” x 3”/0.254m x 0.0762m)

Functional Functional area
No. & Description of Spatial Functionality
Area sqm type
Space for bench mounted piece of Equipment,
34 0.7
equipment (area for microscope included) Workspace
Space for microscope operator in sitting
33 0.9 Person
position
Space for workspace either side of
34 1.4 Workspace
equipment x 2
2 Space for storage full height x 2 4.6 Storage
Total/piece of equipment 7.6
Equipment: Area ratio 1:400
Appendix E.11 Table of spatial analysis: Microscope equipment.
Left: Appendix E.12 Two antique syringes from the late 1800s show evidence of the
requirements for sterilization: they are entirely made of metal or glass (Memorial Hall
Museum Online, 2012). Middle & Right: Whittemores vaccinator, 2.25“x 0.75” body
with a finger loop as part of the assembly, manufactured by Codman and Shurtleff
(1866) (Museum of Historical Medical Artifacts, 2012b).
Appendix E
Left: Appendix E.13 Sample 2: Pictorial evidence of Jenner performing his first
vaccination (Board, 1912). Right: Appendix E.13a Spatial analysis of Appendix E.13.
Vaccinator Area: 0.00108sqm (0.75” x 2.25”/0.01905m x 0.05715m)

Spatial Functionality Area sqm Functional area type
26 Space for person standing 1.00 Person
29 Space for a seated administrator 0.98 Person
28 Space for administrator’s assistant 1.60 Workspace, Person
34 Space for workspace (inc. syringe) 0.70 Workspace, Equipment
Total/person 4.28
Appendix E.14 Table of spatial analysis: Vaccinator equipment.
Left-middle: Appendix E.15 Laennec's stethoscope Credit: Science Museum/Science

& Sorbonne, Society Picture Library (Porter, 1996:174). Right: Appendix E.15a
Stethoscope, Piorry (1830) which has a 7” long oak stem and 0.65” diameter.
Left: Appendix E.16 1816, Rene Laennec invents the first stethoscope by Chartan in
the Sorbonne (Porter, 1996:174). Right: Appendix E.16a Spatial analysis of Appendix
E.16.
Appendix E
Stethoscope Area: 0.0038sqm (0.23m1 x 0.01651m2)

Functional area
Spatial Functionality Area sqm
type
13 Space for patient on couch (single assisted) 4.34 Person
29 Space for an administrator 1.00 Person, Workspace
26 Space for administrator’s assistant 1.00 Person, Workspace
26 Space for numerous spectators x 4 4.00 Person
Workspace,
34 Space for workspace (inc. stethoscope) 0.70
Equipment
Total/person 11.04
Appendix E.17 Table of spatial analysis: Stethoscope equipment.
Appendix E.18 Left: Surgery before anaesthesia, circa 1840s, (Barry & Carruthers,
2005:140). Middle & Right: Appendix E.18a Chloroformisateur by Adrian, Paris
(1890). 6“ x 2“ x 2” black box contains a 5” x 1.25“x 1.75” bottle like a nurser with a
glass stopper (Museum of Historical Medical Artifacts, 2012d).
Right: Appendix E.19 First operation performed under ether anaesthesia in 1846
painted by Robert C. Hinkley (Porter, 1996:228).
Left: Appendix E.19a Spatial analysis of Appendix E.19.
1
Dimensions for equipment (Porter, 1996:153).
2
Dimensions for Piorry stethoscope (1835) (Museum of Historical Medical Artifacts, 2012c).
Appendix E
Anaesthetic Area: 0.0077sqm (0.1524m x 0.0508m)

32 Space for patient on OT table 1.29 Person
27 Space for administrator 1.00 Person, Workspace
28 Space for administrator’s assistant x 4 3.20 Person, Workspace
34 Space for workstation 0.70 Workspace, Equipment
Total/person 18.19
Appendix E.20 Table of spatial analysis: Anaesthetic equipment.
5.1.5 Surgical investigations & new medical knowledge
Appendix E.21 Plan of St. Bartholomew’s Hospital (Barry & Carruthers, 2005:54).
Appendix E.22 New OT on Ground Floor Plan, UCL (1841) (Barry & Carruthers,
2005:124).
Appendix E
5.1.5 Surgical investigations & new medical knowledge
Appendix E.23 Richardson. R (2008) The Making of Mr. Gray's Anatomy Bodies,
books, fortune, fame, Oxford University Press.
Appendix E.24 Left: An early 19th century neurosurgical set. Signed by Zitier, Heine
and Sandill. Size: (Approximate) 700 × 450 × 50 mm (Phisick Medical Antiques, 2013).
Middle & Right: Appendix E.24a Spatial analysis of surgical set (Museum of
Historical Medical Artifacts, 2012e).
Left: Appendix E.25 Operating room, 1896 at the Metropolitan Hospital, London
(Wellcome Library, 1896). Right: Appendix E.25a Spatial analysis of Appendix E.25.
Surgical Equipment Area(Appendix E.24a): 0.111sqm (0.51435m x 0.2159m)

34 Space for workstation x 2 Workspace,
1.40
Equipment
Total/person 18.89
Appendix E.26 Table of spatial analysis: Surgical equipment.
Appendix E
5.1.6 Analysis of pre-electrical technology
Sample Equip. Area Equipment Area Ratio

Equipment
No. (single)/sqm (process)/sqm Single:Process
1 Microscope 0.019 7.60 1:400
2 Vaccination 0.00108 4.28 1:3963
3 Stethoscope 0.0038 11.04 1:2905
Anaesthesia &
4 0.0077 18.19 1:2362
sterilisation
5 Surgical 0.111 18.89 1:170
Total 0.14258 62.41 1:438
Average 0.0285 12.482 1:438
Appendix E.27 Tabled quantitative analysis of pre-electrical technological events.
5.2.1 Early-electrical years (1895-1950s) - (i) Electrotherapy
Left: Appendix E.28 Electric Solenoid bath (Monell, 1902) Middle: Appendix E.28a
Electrotherapeutic d'Arsonval cage by Richard Heller, Paris (Science Museum, 2013).
Right: Appendix E.28b Spatial analysis of Appendix E.28a.
Left: Appendix E.28c The 1st Electrical Department, GOSH (HHARPa, 2010)
Right: Appendix E.28d Spatial analysis of Appendix E.28c.
Appendix E
5.2.1 Early-electrical years (1895-1950s) - (i) Electrotherapy
Galvanic Bath Area: 1.42sqm (1.7m x 0.835m)

14 Space for patient in bath 5.25 Person, Equipment
2 x Couch Equipment Area: 1.16sqm (1.68m x 0.69m)
14 Space for patient lying on couch x 2 10.5 Person, Equipment
27 Space for administrator x 2 2.00 Person, Workspace
34 Space for workstation 0.7 Workspace
Total/person 21.85 21.85+1.42+2(1.16)=25.59
All Equipment: Area ratio 1:6
Appendix E.29 Table of spatial analysis: Electrotherapy equipment.
Left: Appendix E.30 Contemporary electrotherapy. Right: Appendix E.30a Spatial

analysis of Appendix E.30.
Electrotherapy Equipment (2012) Area: 0.2209sqm (0.47m x 0.47m3)
14 Space for patient on couch (dual assist.) 5.25 Person
Total/person 7.75
Appendix E.31 Table of spatial analysis: Electro therapies equipment (individual).
5.2.1 Early-electrical years - (i) Electrocardiograph (ECG)
Left: Appendix E.32 Mobile ECG, c. 1920s (Smith, 2012). Right: Appendix E.32a
Portable ECG, c. 1936 (Science Museum Archives).
3
Dimensions based on EMS Physio manufacturer’s Megapulse Senior 265 shortwave unit model( 470mm
x 470mm x 940mm) [Online]. Available at: http://www.emsphysio.co.uk/11_megapulse-senior-265.htm
(Accessed: 9th June 2012).
Appendix E
5.2.1 Early-electrical years - (i) Electrocardiograph (ECG)
Left: Appendix E.33 Sir Thomas Lewis’s ECG, University College Hospital Medical
School (1912), Cambridge Scientific Instrument Company (1911) (Fisch, 2000:1742).
This original ECG weighed 600lb and took 5 people to operate. Over time, it was
reduced to an 8lbs one person operator ECG (Fisch, 2000:1740). As dimensions
unavailable, approximations based on Appendix E.1, No.29 – Space for seated patient.
Right: Appendix E.33a Spatial analysis of Appendix E.33.
ECG Equipment (1912) Area: 0.9375sqm (0.75m x 1.25m)

29 Space for seated patient 0.98 Person
30 Space for assistance beside chair 0.84 Workspace
34 Space for non-electrical equipment 0.70 Equipment
Total/person 7.52
Appendix E.34 Table of spatial analysis: Electro therapies equipment.
Left: Appendix E.35 2012, Burdick Atria 6100 ECG model (Cardiac Science, 2012).
ECG Equipment (2012) Area: 0.1702sqm (0.394m x 0.432m)

13 Space for patient on couch (single assist.) 4.34 Person
34 Space for workstation 0.70 Equipment
Total/person 7.04
Appendix E.36 Table of spatial analysis: ECG equipment (individual).
Appendix E
5.2.1 Early-electrical years (1895-1950s) - (ii) Finsen Red Light Treatment (FRLT)
Appendix E.37 Left: Lupus vulgaris Tuberculosis (Brandel, 1872). Mid-Right: 1923,
patient suffering with bovine tuberculosis (Illustrated Medical Dictionary, British
Medical Association, 2002).
Left: Appendix E.38 Finsen red light treatment room, RLH (1900). Right: Appendix
E.38a Spatial analysis of Appendix E.38.
As the dimensions for FRLT equipment consist of 880mm minimum and 1700mm fully
extended, the maximum dimension for the equipment’s radius was employed in
Appendix E.39 calculations (Finsen ultraviolet lamp, presented by Princess Alexandra
to the London Hospital in 1900, Science Museum).
FRLT Equipment Area: 0.226sqm (0.3124m x 0.85m x 0.85m)

3 x FRLT Equipment Area: 0.2631sqm
14 Space for patient on couch (dual assist.) 5.25 Person
34 Space for workstation Workspace,
0.70
Equipment
12 Space for wash hand basin (WHB) 1.08 Person
2 Space for storage x 2 4.60 Storage
Total/workstation 14.23
3(14+27+28+34)+12+
Total/workstation x 3 31.33
2
Appendix E
5.2.1 Early-electrical years (1895-1950s) - (iii) Drinker Respirator
Left: Appendix E.40 Poliomyelitis patient. Middle-Right: Appendix E.40a&b

Original cylindrical tank respirator with a ‘patient’ inside. Dimensions of Drinker
respirator (Meyer, 1990:490).
Left: Appendix E.41 Single Drinker Respirator (GOSH). Right: Appendix E.41a
Spatial analysis of Appendix E.41.
Left: Appendix E.42 Medical personnel tend to polio victims in an iron lung ward
(1950s) at the Haynes Memorial Hospital, Boston (Meyer, 1990:491). Right: Appendix
E.42a Spatial analysis of Appendix E.42.
Drink Respirator Equipment Area: 1.19sqm (1.7m x 0.7m)

32 Space for patient in drinker equipment 1.19 Person
27 Space for administrator 1.00 Person, Equipment
28 Space for administrator’s assistant x 1 0.80 Person
2 Space for storage 2.30 Storage
12 Space for WHB 1.08 Hygiene
Total/treated person 7.07
Total/treated person x 7 29.21 7(32+27+28+34)+2+12
Equipment: Area ratio x 7 1:3.5
Appendix E
5.2.1 Early- electrical years (1895-1950s) - (iii) Drinker Respirator
Left: Appendix E.44 Treatment of patient in negative pressure mechanical ventilator

(2000s). [Online]. Available at:
http://www.wikidoc.org/index.php/File:Womanonsideinlung.jpg (Accessed: 20th
December 2011). Right: Appendix E.44a Spatial analysis of Appendix E.44.
As dimensions for the above model seem to be unavailable, the dimensions for a similar
Hyperbaric Oxygen Chamber apparatus were substituted for calculations in table
Appendix E.45.
Mechanical Ventilator Equipment Area: 3.2875sqm (2.63m x 1.25m)
32 Space for patient in lying position4 3.2875 Person
2 Space for storage 2.30 Storage
12 Space for WHB 1.08 Hygiene
Total/person 9.9675
Total/person x 7 49.4925 7(32+27+28+34)+2+12
Equipment: Area ratio x 7 1:1.5
Appendix E.45 Table of spatial analysis: Mechanical Ventilator equipment
(individual).
Equipment
Equipment Area Ratio
Sample Area
Equipment (single)/sqm Single:Process
No. (process)/sqm
1900s 2000s 1900s 2000s 1900s 2000s
Electro-
6 1.42 0.9375 21.85 7.75 1:6 1:35
therapy
Electro
7 0.9375 0.1702 7.52 7.04 1:8 1:41
(ECG)
8 FRLT 0.226 NE* 14.23 NE* 1:139 NE*
9 ‘Iron Lung’ 1.19 3.2875 29.21 49.493 1:3.5 1:1.5
Total 3.77 4.3952 72.81 64.283 1:19 1:14.6
Average 0.9425 1.465 18.2 21.43 1:19 1:14.6
Appendix E.46 Tabled quantitative analysis of early- electrical technological events.

(NE*:non-existent).
4
Dimensions from Sechrist Products, Hyperbaric Products, Sechrist 4100H model [Online]. Available at:
http://www.sechristind.com/hyperbaric-chamber-4100H.html (Accessed: 12th June 2012).
Appendix E
5.2.2 Development of Radiology Department
Appendix E.47 X-ray Department, GOSH, which first opened in 1902 (HHARPb,
2010). Right: Appendix E.47a Spatial analysis of Appendix E.47.
X-ray Equipment (1900s) Area: 1.08sqm (0.6858m x 1.5748m)5

32 Space for patient lying on table 1.29 Person
Total/person 4.69
Appendix E.48 Table of spatial analysis: X-ray equipment, 1900s (individual).
Left: Appendix E.49 1 million volt x-ray machine at The Barts (1950) (NHS Trust
Archives, 2008:panel8). Right: Appendix E.49a Spatial analysis of Appendix E.49.
X-ray Equipment (1950s) Area: 2.16sqm (0.6858m x 1.5748m)+(power supply6)

Total/person 2.29
Appendix E.50 Table of spatial analysis: 1 million volt x-ray machine, 1950s
(individual).
5
Dimensions based upon Electrostatic X-Ray Machine (1905), 27” deep x 62” wide, manufactured by VanHouten
and Tenbroeck [Online]. Available at: http://www.mohma.org/instruments/category/radiology /electrostatic x-ray
machine / (Accessed: 8th June 2012).
6
In proportion to patient size in figure AE.49, an approximation of equipment power size was assumed to be large
than 1.08sqm. However, as this information is not available, the figure of 1.08sqm was used as a minimum spatial
effect x-ray equipment in 1950s.
Appendix E
Left: Appendix E.51 Radiographer operates body scanner, RLH (1993) (NHS Trusts,
2008:panel11). Right: Appendix E.51a Spatial analysis of Appendix E.51.
X-ray Control Equipment Area: No.10 = Space for workstation, 5sqm

Total/person 1.00
Equipment: Area ratio 1:0.2
Appendix E.52 Table of spatial analysis: X-ray control room equipment (individual).
Left: Appendix E.53 Plain film x-ray7 (Clisis, 2013).

Plain x-ray (2010s) Area: 8.238sqm (3.48m x 1.85m)+(2.4m x 0.75m) 8

Total/person 3.99
Appendix E.54 Table of spatial analysis: Plain x-ray equipment, 2010s (individual).
7
Dimensions based on Clisis R&F system model. Available at: http://www.rslmedical.ie/X-RAY.html
8
Dimensions based on equipment movement range for Moveable vertical stand VM and table
dimensions, Philips range.
Appendix E
Left: Appendix E.55 CT scanner9 (Hitachi, 2012).

CT Equipment Area: 4.199sqm (2.9m x 0.75m)+(0.88m x 2.3m)

32 Space for patient lying on table 1.29 Person, Equipment
Total/person 3.39
Appendix E.55b Table of spatial analysis: CT equipment 2010s.
Left: Appendix E.56 MRI scanner10 (Hitachi, 2012).

9
Image and dimensions based on Hitachi’s Scenaria 64-ch multi-slice CT. Available at:
http://www.hitachi-medical-systems.eu/products-and-services/ct/scenaria.html (Accessed: 14th June
2012).
10
Image and dimensions based on Hitachi’s Scenaria 64-ch multi-slice CT. Available at:
http://www.hitachi-medical-systems.eu/products-and-services/mri/echelon-15t.html (Accessed: 14th June
2012).
Appendix E
MRI Equipment Area: 5.005sqm (1.6m x 2.1.m)+(2.35m x 0.7m)

32 Space for patient lying on OT 1.29 Person
Total/person 3.29
Appendix E.56b Table of spatial analysis: MRI equipment 2010s.
Left to Right : Appendix E.57 Mobile equipment and spatial analyses11.

Mobile X-ray Equipment Area: 1.336sqm (1.97m x 0.678m)
Mobile CT Equipment Area: 5.63sqm (2.529m x 2.2275m)
Mobile US Equipment Area: 0.495sqm (0.45m x 1.1m)
Total/person 2.29
Mobile X-ray Equipment: Area ratio 1:2
Mobile CT Equipment: Area ratio 1:0.4
Mobile US Equipment: Area ratio 1:5
Appendix E.58 Table of spatial analysis: Mobile radiological equipment.
Appendix E.59 Bi-plane angio/Integrated OR – South West Washington medical

Centre, WA, NBBJ architects.
11
All dimensions and equipment sourced from RSL Medical. Available at:
http://www.rslmedical.ie/index.html (Accessed: 14th June 2012).
Appendix E
Left: Appendix E.60 An operation in progress, UCH, 1898 (Barry & Carruthers,
2005:126). Right: Appendix E.60a Spatial analysis of Appendix E.60.
Surgical Equipment Area: 0.111sqm (see AE.25)

29 Space for seated persons x 7 6.86 Person
Total/person 16.45
Left: Appendix E.61 Table of spatial analysis: Surgical equipment 1898.
Left: Appendix E.62 OT room, RLU (1920) (Royal London Hospital Archives).
Right:Appendix E.62a Spatial analysis of Appendix E.62.
Surgical Equipment Area: 1.233sqm (1.37m x 0.9m)12

34 Space for workstation x 2 1.40 Workspace, Equipment
Total/person 14.29
Appendix E.63 Table of spatial analysis: Surgical equipment 1920.
12
Dimensions for anaesthetic machine: H (254mm) x W(90mm) x D(137mm) (Science Museum,
London).
Appendix E
Left: Appendix E.64 OT room, Mile End Hospital, 1971 (NHS Trusts, 2008:Panel10).
Appendix E.65 Operation in progress, RLH (1993) (NHS Trusts, 2008:Panel11).

Surgical Equipment Area: 2.28sqm (1.5m x 0.6m) + (0.69sqm x 2)13

Total/person 5.39
Appendix E.66 Table of spatial analysis: Surgical equipment for small OT room in
1970-90s.
As per current HBN guidance, dimensions assigned to technology (and movement) are
1600mm zone around the patient table. This calculates as 2.1186mm x 3.5631mm =
7.548sqm allocated within a 55sqm OT room.
Appendix E.67 HBN calculations of area for technology in OT room (HBN26&28)
13
Centanaest ventilator/ anaesthetic apparatus, (1950-1970) and gas cylinders, British Oxygen Company
Limited manufacturers (Science Museum).
Appendix E
5.2.4 Laboratory Revolutions
Left: Appendix E.68 William Fiske Whitney and Francis Dexter in the Anatomy
Laboratory at Boylston Street, circa 1900. Gift of Mrs. Lyman Whitney to the Harvard
Medical Library, 1961 (Centre for the History of Medicine, 2013).
Pathology Equipment Area: 0.019sqm (see AE.10)

26 Space for standing person 1.00 Person
33 Space for sitting at workstation x 2 1.8 Person
Space for workspace adjacent to
34 1.4 Workspace, Equipment
equipment x 2
2 Space for storage full height x 3 6.9 Storage
Total/piece of equipment 11.1
Appendix E.69 Table of spatial analysis: Pathology equipment.
Left: Appendix E.70 DNA sequencing machine (ABC News, 2011).

Right: Appendix E.70a Opti R Blood gas and electrolyte analyzer, example of a NPT
machine (Aris Mantzoros S.A., 2012)
Appendix E
Left: Appendix E.71 A scene from the hospital's pharmacy c.1906 (GOSH) (HHARPb,
2010). Right: Appendix E.71a Spatial analysis of Appendix E.71.
Pharmaceutical Equipment Area: 0.00sqm (none shown)

1 Space for storage (high level) x 4 8.00 Storage
Total/person 16.5
Equipment: Area ratio -
Appendix E.72 Table of spatial analysis: Pharmaceutical equipment.
Left: Appendix E.73 Birmingham Hospital Pharmacy (University Hospitals

Birmingham, 2011). Right: Appendix E.73a Spatial analysis of Appendix E.73.
Pharmaceutical Equipment Area: 0.00sqm (none shown)

2 Space for storage (low level) x 6 13.8 Storage
Total/person 23.7
Equipment: Area ratio -
Appendix E.74 Table of spatial analysis: Pharmaceutical equipment.
Appendix E
Left: Appendix E.75 Vmax Duplo Pharmacy robot by ARX (Luton and Dunstable
Hospital). Right: Appendix E.75a Dimensions for Pharmacy robot ‘Doris’ at Pembury
Hospital, Kent (Author’s own, Pembury Hospital, 2012).
Appendix E.76 Spatial analysis of Pembury Hospital pharmacy robot.
Pharmaceutical Equipment Area: 19.93sqm (12.228sqm x 1.630sqm)

33 Space for administrator x 10 9.0 Person
Total/person 15.3
Appendix E.77 Table of spatial analysis: Pharmacy robot, 2010.
Average Pre-electrical technology

Equipment area 0.0285sqm
Functional area 12.482sqm
Ratio 1:438
Appendix E.79 Tabled quantitative analysis of pre-electrical technology events.

Appendix E
Equipment Area Equipment Area Ratio

Sample
Equipment (single)/sqm (process)/sqm Single:Process
No.
1900s 2000s 1900s 2000s 1900s 2000s
Imaging:
10-12 1.08 8.238 4.69 3.99 1:4 1:0.5
X-ray
Imaging
N/E* 4.199 N/E* 3.39 N/E* 1:0.8
CT
Imaging
N/E* 5.005 N/E* 3.29 N/E* 1:0.7
MRI
Imaging:
Mobile X- N/E* 1.336 N/E* 2.29 N/E* 1:2
ray
Imaging:
N/E* 5.63 N/E* 2.29 N/E* 1:0.4
Mobile CT
Imaging:
N/E* 0.495 N/E* 2.29 N/E* 1:5
Mobile US
13 Surgery 0.111 16.45 2.28 5.39 1:148 1:2.4
14 Pathology 0.019 N/A 11.1 N/A 1:584 N/A
15 Pharmacy N/A 19.93 N/A 15.3 N/A 1:0.8
Total 1.21 61.283 18.07 38.23 1:15 1:0.6
Average 0.4 7.66 6.02 4.78 1:15 1:0.6
Appendix E.78 Tabled quantitative analysis of post- electrical technology events.

(NE*:non-existent, N/A : information not available).
Early-electrical technology
Average
1895 2000
Equipment area 0.9425sqm 1.465sqm
Functional area 18.2sqm 21.43sqm
Ratio 1 :19 1 :14.6
Appendix E.80 Tabled quantitative analysis of early-electrical technology events.
Post-electrical technology
Average
1895 2000
Equipment area 0.4sqm 5.9sqm
Functional area 6.02sqm 3.28sqm
Ratio 1 :15 1 :0.6
Appendix E.81 Tabled quantitative analysis of post-electrical technology events.
Technology type Medical equipment area (single)

Pre-electrical 0.0285sqm
Early-electrical 0.9425sqm (1895) 1.465sqm (2000)
Post-electrical 0.4sqm (1895) 5.9sqm (2000)
Appendix E.82 Tabled analysis of medical equipment area (pre-post electrical).

Appendix E
Technology type Medical equipment functional area (process)

Pre-electrical 12.482sqm
Early-electrical 18.2sqm (1895) 21.43sqm (2000)
Post-electrical 6.02sqm (1895) 3.28sqm (2000)
Appendix E.83 Tabled analysis of medical equipment functional area (pre-post

electrical).
Technology type Total area (sqm)

Pre-electrical 0.0285 + 12.482 = 12.5105
Early-electrical 0.9425 + 18.2 = 19.1425 1.465 + 21.43 = 22.895
Post-electrical 0.4 + 6.02 = 6.42 5.9 + 3.28 = 9.18
Appendix E.84 Tabled analysis of medical equipment functional area (pre-post

electrical).
Technology type % Medical equipment area: Total area

Pre-electrical 0.228
Early-electrical 4.9 6.4
Post-electrical 6 64.3
Appendix E.85 Tabled analysis of medical equipment area: functional area ratios (pre-
post electrical).
Appendix F
Appendix F
Case Study No.1: The RLH
Appendix F.1 1832, Basement Floor Plan (The Royal London Archive department).
Appendix F.2 1840, Site block plan (The Royal London Archive department).
Appendix F.3 1886, The Medical College had been moved to its present location in the
southwest corner of the grounds. The Alexandra wing and the Grocer’s wing had both
been built, and at the end of the east wing the first nurses’ home was built (The Royal
London Archive department).
Appendix F
6.2 Case Study No.1: The RLH
Appendix F.4 1886, Ground Floor Plan, The Royal London Hospital and Medical
Centre (The Royal London Archive department).
Appendix F.5 1900, Fourth Floor Plan, Front Block, The London Hospital. (The Royal
London Archive department).
Appendix F
Appendix F.6 1900, Fourth Floor Plan, Front Block, The London Hospital. Masterplan
highlighting the historical development of the hospital’s buildings. (The Royal London
Archive department).
Appendix F.7 1900, Masterplan, The London Hospital complex. (The Royal London
Archive department).
Appendix F
Appendix F.8 1950, Plan of campus development (The Royal London Archive
department).
Appendix F.9 1950/2000, Excerpt of Ground Floor Plan, 1:200 drawing, internal
planning.
Appendix F.10 Perspective view of new London Hospital (2012), HOK Architects.
Appendix F
6.2.2 The RLH: Analysis of measured plans
Appendix F.11 2012, Departmental Ground Floor Plan. The London Hospital, HOK
Architects (1:500).
Appendix F
Appendix F.12 1832, Tabled results from measured drawings.

Appendix F

Appendix F

Appendix F
Appendix F
Appendix F.16 2000, Tabled results of measured drawings.
% Low tech % Plant/Comms. % High tech % FM

1832 90.1 7.9 2.0 n/a
1886 84.6 13.0 2.4 n/a
1900 88.53 7.95 3.52 n/a
1950 89.0 7.6 3.4 n/a
2000 28.3 15.7 56.0 n/a
2012 39.2 25.8 30.5 4.5
Appendix F.18 1832-2012 including Plant/Comms./FM
% Low tech % High tech

1832 97.8 2.2
1886 97.3 2.7
1900 96.2 3.8
1950 96.3 3.7
2000 33.6 66.4
2012 56.3 43.7
Appendix F.19 1832-2012 excluding Plant/Comms./FM

Appendix F

Appendix F
6.3.2 St. Thomas’ Hospital: Analysis of measured plans
Appendix F.20 Plans of St. Thomas’ showing building phases. Sourced: The
Architectural History Practice Limited (2007) St. Thomas’ Hospital South Wing
Statement of Significance, pp.41-6.
Appendix F
6.3 Case Study No.2: St. Thomas’ Hospital
Appendix F.21 Ground Floor Plan, St. Thomas’ Hospital, 1880 and 1900. No changes
were recorded during this period (The Architectural History Practice Limited (2007) St.
Thomas’s Hospital South Wing Statement of Significance, p.31).
Appendix F.22 Left: 1899, Theatre room section. Highlights the number of storeys in
building. Right: Ground Floor Plan, St. Thomas’ Hospital, 1950 (Guys and St. Thomas’
Capital Estate & Facilities Department).
Appendix F
6.3 Case Study No.2: St. Thomas’ Hospital
Appendix F.23 2010, Ground Floor Master Plan, St. Thomas’ Hospital (Guys and St.
Thomas’ Capital Estate & Facilities Department).
Appendix F.24 Exemplar of Schedule of Accommodation (SOA) used for measured

calculations (Guys and St. Thomas’ Capital Estate & Facilities Department).
Appendix F
Appendix F.25 Left: Exemplar used for departmental calculations for each floor. Right:
Individual calculations done by hand (Guys and St. Thomas’ Capital Estate & Facilities
Department).
Left: Appendix F.26 Photograph of South Wing, St. Thomas’ Hospital before the
World War II bombing (Guys and St. Thomas’ Capital Estate & Facilities Department).
Right: Appendix F.26a 2012, Photograph of North Wing, St. Thomas’ Hospital.
Appendix F.27 1880, SOA spread sheet for St. Thomas’ Hospital.
Appendix F
Appendix F.28 1900, SOA spread sheet for St. Thomas’.
Appendix F.29 1950, SOA spread sheet for St. Thomas’.

Appendix F
Appendix F.30 2010, SOA spread sheet for St. Thomas’ Hospital.
Appendix F
Year % Low tech % Plant/Comms. % High tech UAS/refurb.

1880 77.78 19.35 2.87 n/a
1900 77.78 19.35 2.87 n/a
1950 76.29 17.27 6.44 n/a
2010 35.32 28.14 22.9 13.67
Appendix F.31 1880-2010 including Plant/Comms./UAS/refurb.
Year % Low tech % High tech

1880 96.4 3.6
1900 96.4 3.6
1950 92.2 7.8
2010 60.7 39.3
Appendix F.32 1880-2010 excluding Plant/Comms./UAS/refurb.
6.4 Case Study No.3: Chelsea and Westminster Hospital
Left: Appendix F.33 Historical urban block of Westminster Hospital (1930s). Middle
to right: Westminster Hospital (1965) (Barry & Carruthers, 2005:64).
Left to right: Appendix F.34 Top Sectional model through central hospital atrium. The
radio pod in Chelsea and Westminster Hospital which houses the radio station (PRLog,
2009). Exterior photo of main entrance elevation (New London Architecture, 2005).
Appendix F
6.4.2 Chelsea and Westminster Hospital: Analysis of measured plans
Appendix F.35 The Chelsea and Westminster Hospital (2010): Charts highlighting
quantitative measurement of technology against spatial functionalities.
% Low tech % Plant % High tech % FM

comms
2000 31.3 31.8 36.9 NA*
2010 31.3 31.8 36.9 NA*
Appendix F.36 2000-2010 including Plant/Comms. (NA* no FM facility as this is not a
PFI hospital).

2000 45.9 54.1
2010 45.9 54.1
Appendix F.37 2000-2010 excluding Plant/Comms.
Appendix F
6.4.2 Chelsea and Westminster Hospital: Analysis of measured plans
Appendix F.38 2010, Typical floor plan, Chelsea & Westminster Hospital (Sheppard
Robson Architects).
6.5.2 UCLH: Analysis of measured plans
Appendix F.39 Plan of Level 2, UCLH, 2010 (UCLH Trust Facilities Offices).
Appendix F
6.5 Case Study No.4: UCLH
Functional Unit Room Size

Number (m2)
A & E & Fracture

Clinic 1188
Acute Assessment Unit
1392
Ambulatory
Intervention 3505.2
Critical Care Facility 1412.9
CCU 254
Appendix F.40 Segment of UCLH Departmental Schedule of Accommodation (SOA),

2010 (UCLH Trust Facilities Offices).
Left: Appendix F.41 Perspective of UCH rebuilt 1897-1906 (Barry & Carruthers,
2005:125). Right: Appendix F.41a External view of UCLH by Llewellyn Davies
Architects (2005).
Case Study No.4: UCLH

Areas Unit RRV03
Gross internal site floor area m² 76,249
Occupied floor area m² 72,416
NHS estate Occupied Floor Area % 97.5

Site Heated Volume
m³ 190,623
Appendix F.42 Results of all measured plans: UCLH whereby RRV03 is UCLH
excluding the new Maternity building (UCLH Trust Facilities Offices).
Appendix F
Case Study No.4: UCLH

Departmental Unit Total/sqm % high tech low tech Total/sqm
A & E & Fracture Clinic 1187.9 1187.9

Acute Assessment Unit 1392 1392
Ambulatory Intervention 3505.2 3505.2
Critical Care Facility 1412.9 1412.9
CCU 254 254
Operating Theatres 2197.7 2197.7
Maples Refurbishment 768.1 768.1
General Inpatients 970.8 970.8
General Inpatients (Surgical) 1364.9 1364.9
General Inpatients (Medical) 1330.3 1330.3
Cardiology Beds 1113 1113
Acute Renal Unit 395.3 395.3
Infection Unit 1373.5 1373.5
Outpatients 2252.4 2252.4
Diagnostic Imaging 1496.9 1496.9
Nuclear Medicine 1138 1138
Radiopharmacy & High Dose Radiation 191.9 191.9
Radiotherapy & Medical Physics Support 2141.5 2141.5
Private Patients 2575.6 2575.6
Therapies Unit 971.3 971.3
Paediatrics 1390.8 1390.8
Adolescents 1380.3 1380.3
Haematology / Oncology 2750.8 2750.8
Pharmacy Dispensary 156.1 156.1
Pharmacy Support 423 423
Discharge Lounge 114.7 114.7
Metabolic Kitchen 26.6 26.6
Surgical Applicances 52.6 52.6
Sterile Services 662.6 662.6
Ground Floor Podium 888.3 888.3
Place of Worship 158.3 158.3
Mortuary 585.3 585.3
Staff Restaurant 465 465
Total/sqm ex.Plant/Comms/FM 37087.6 27688.1 9399.5 37087.6

74.7% 25.3% 100.0%
FM 1655
UAS 3833
Total/sqm ex. Plant/Comms 42575.6
As built (FROM uclh RECENT CALCULATIONS)

Full PFI 76249
Maternity 11348
Acute hospital Total/sqm 64901.00

Plant/Comms/sqm 22325.40
Appendix F
Wards, OPD,support 9,399.50 14.5%
High tech 27,688.10 42.6%
Plant/Comms/UAS 26,158.40 40.3%
FM 1,655.00 2.6%
Total 64,901.00 100.0%
Wards, OPD,support 9,399.50 25.3%

High tech 27,688.10 74.7%
Total 37,087.60 100.0%
Appendix F.43 Results of all measured plans: UCLH
% Low tech % Plant % High tech % FM

comms
2005 14.5 40.3 42.6 2.6
2010 14.5 40.3 42.6 2.6
Appendix F.44 1832-2010 including Plant/Comms..

2005 25.3 74.7
2010 25.3 74.7
Appendix F.451832-2010 excluding Plant/Comms..
Appendix G
Appendix G
7.0 Introduction
Appendix G.1 Moore’s Law: progression of computer technology v’s Chapter 5’s rate
of hospital space growth.
(i) (ii) (iii)

Appendix G.2 Structures of nanotechnology: (i) Nanowires; (ii) Carbon nanotubes; (iii)
Bucky balls.
Nanotechnology
Discrepancies surround the definition for nanotechnology. For example, in 2012,
nanotechnology is commonly referred to but is scientifically:
Application of scientific knowledge to manipulate and control matter in the

nanoscale in order to make use of size and structure dependent properties and
phenomena, as distinct from those associated with individual atoms or molecules or
with bulk materials (Mueller et. al., 2012:276).
However, biotechnologist Dr. Raj Bawa disagrees:
Often used, yet clearly wrong, definition of nanotechnology is that proposed by the
U.S. National Nanotechnology Initiative (NNI). It limits nanotechnology to
‘dimensions of roughly 1 to 100 nanometers’ Government agencies such as the FDA
and the US Patent & Trademark Office (PTO) continue to use a similar definition
based on a scale of less than 100 nm (Bawa, 2008:5).
Clarity was sought for a universal set of standards to be established for nanotechnology.
In 2010, The International Standardization Organization (ISO) Technical Specifications
defined nanotechnology as:

Appendix G
80004-1:2010).
The ISO continues to specify:
Nanomaterials are split into ‘nano-objects’...and we use therefore the frequently

applied term ‘engineered nanomaterial’; a term representing intentionally produced
materials that have one or more dimensions on a scale between about 1 and 100 nm
(Hischier & Tobias, 2012:271) (see Figure 7.1).
Figure 7.1 Diagram representing the scale of nanotechnology from a medical

perspective.
2007:20). As Dr. Jerome Glen argues, nanotechnology ‘is more of an approach to
engineering than a science’ itself (Glenn, 2006:129). Including terminologies such as
‘nanoscale’ and ‘nanomaterials’:
Nanotechnology has more to do with the investigation of novel properties...and of the

ability to manipulate and artificially construct structures at that scale (Kostoff et. al.,
2007:1734).
Already a multi-billion pound world-wide market, where commercial growth is
estimated to reach £700 billion by 2010 (HCSTC, 2004:5),
Nanotechnology has been explored for creating lighter and stronger materials,...and
...is already used in hundreds of products across various industries such as
electronics, healthcare, chemicals, cosmetics, materials, and energy (Morose,
2010:285).
Appendix G.3 Definitions and background to nanotechnology.

Appendix G
Analysis: Micro v nano
Nanotechnology works from the bottom up (positive engineering) as opposed to
microtechnology which is negatively engineered from the top down (see Table A7.1).
The bottom-up approach involves physically manipulating small numbers of the

basic building blocks, either individual atoms or more complex molecules, into
structures typically using minute probes (Horton & Khan, 2006:42).
While ‘the predicted benefits of nanotechnology are much hyped’ (The Lancet,
2003:673), nanotechnology’s current capability:
Is limited to low-volume, high-value applications...but the range of bottom-up

techniques and the areas of application are growing rapidly (Horton & Khan,
2006:43).
MEMS top-down approach is already an established chip-technology which is expected
to be the preferred fabrication method for some time as ‘the application of
microtechnology is generally far closer to the market and to a large extent it is already
with us’ (HCSTC, 2004:7). However:
Lord Salisbury seems to believe that the microtechnology industry will evolve into a
nanotechnology industry (Caton, 2004:Column446WH).
One certainty is that microtechnology cannot develop into nanotechnology. The
production processes are completely different.
Technology Fabrication
Process
Scale Approach
Lithographic chip-technology - sculpts
micro top-down
away
builds one atom at a time – currently time
nano bottom-up consuming and expensive (see Appendix
G.4 for nanotechnology structures).
Table A7.1 Tabled analysis of microtechnology v nanotechnology.
Appendix G. 4 Analysis of microtechnology v nanotechnology.

Appendix G
Microtechnology Nanotechnology
MEMS are microscopic devices Research and manufacturing at
Definition
made from silicon the atomic level (1nm-100nm)
One millionth of a meter (1μm). Nanotechnology works from
Composition Uses photolithography. bottom up at 0.1nm to 100nm.
At one micrometer, 1000μms. 1 billionth of a meter(1nm)
Capable of manipulating or
creating new matter. Lighter
Most of the equipment required to
materials with greater strength.
Advantages work at this scale and the nano
Can detect diseases in the
scale are at this level.
bloodstream. Generate light
and energy, and purify water.
Lithography is extremely accurate Hazards with nanopartices
Disadvantages and currently has some unknown, Environmental
disadvantages. dangers & toxicological effects
Restricted funding for research. Predominantly in research
Current
MEMS already exists in the phase. UK lags behind rest of
status
market world.
Appendix G.5 Analytical table of collated information for microtechnology and

nanotechnology.
(i) Funding & finance: Findings amounted to few scientists mentioning the
significance of money to the success of R&D and manufacturing. However, as author
Trevor Williams accurately points out:
New inventions do not in themselves suffice to bring about technological progress;

the availability of capital to exploit them has always been a major consideration
(Williams, 1978:48).
On this basis, three examples highlight the issues facing current medical ET
progression.
First, as long as funding remains plentiful, nanotechnology is suggested to supersede
microtechnology but since commencing this research a major global economic recession
has developed. However, Kurzweil puts forward his argument (see Figure A7.2):
Appendix G
The underlying exponential growth in the economy is a far more powerful force than
periodic recessions. Most important, recessions, including depressions, represent
only temporary deviations from the underlying curve (Kurzweil, 2006:99).
From a UK perspective, Dr. Iddon, in addressing the House of Commons, argues the
likelihood for near-future technology:
Will probably be in microtechnology rather than nanotechnology (Hansard,

2004:Column 449WH).
Therefore, this thesis does not consider the current depression negatively in the long-
term achievements of future medical ET progression.
Figure A7.2 Graph of economic growth despite recessions (Kurzweil, 2006:98).

Second, while computation costs have drastically been reduced over recent decades,
large medical equipment continues to be expensive. Briefly, the medical industry hasn’t
been able to apply similar economies of scale associated with non-medical technologies
due to the small volumes of saleable units (Kessler, 2007:119). This brings the thesis to
ask: Will manufacturers want to invest in non-profitable medical ET? Computer expert
Andy Kessler believes that affordability will be achieved ‘so much of the process uses
silicon’ and ‘silicon means smaller, cheaper, faster, better’ (Kessler, 2007:183).
Third, staff salaries are the largest expense of any healthcare system and any ET that
can potentially reduce running costs is worthy of development. For example, Japan has
identified a shortage of nursing staff to care for its growing elderly population. Their
response is a commitment to robotic development to assist with increasing medical

Appendix G
demands (see section 7.3). However, ET in the UK are not as advanced as competing
nations (US, Germany and Korea) as British businesses do not seem to be interested in a
technology that’s too difficult to understand and needs many qualified scientists1
(Kostoff et. al., 2007:1743). In 2007, few nanotechnology courses existed in British
universities questioning how the future nanotechnology industry would be staffed
without trained graduates. By 2012, this situation has been totally reversed with
numerous courses available at British universities. Educational investment needs to
continue and grow for the future of ET to succeed.
(ii) Time: From concept to completion, it takes many years to deliver a consumable
product. Time is a costly business for medical technology manufacturers which often
render a technology non-viable if its timescales are commercially unprofitable. For
example, the realisation of nanorobots depends on the speed at which the following
processes need to be undertaken:
First, theoretical scaling studies are used to assess basic concept feasibility. These
initial studies would then be followed by more detailed computational simulations of
specific nanorobot components and assemblies,...experimental efforts may progress
from component fabrication and testing, to component assembly, and finally to
prototypes and mass manufacture, ultimately leading to clinical trials (Freitas Jr.,
2005:19).
As clinical trials take many years to receive Food and Drug Administration (FDA, US)
or Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA,UK) approval, the
success of nanotechnology will depend upon the reduction of timescales within its
numerous processes.
(iii) The consumer: Never underestimate the power of the consumer as even the best
current technology is not being maximised by clinicians due to their preference to utilise
1
Only Unilevel and GlaxoSmithKline seem to be interested but these are US organisations.
Appendix G
what they operate and know already. For example, in the US, older technology
continues to be used based on insurance companies’ payments. In the UK, the use of
older equipment is directly driven by NHS technology budgets. Therefore, for ET to
succeed they need to be affordable, easy to use and accessible.
(iv) Hazards & ethics: Little emerged from literature to confirm the hazards of ET
(Fleischer et. al., 2005:1114). Concerns about the extent of their dangers are however
expressed. For example, the hazards of nano-particles i.e. ‘nanotubes’ and ‘quantum
dots’ may cause health and environmental problems (Morose, 2010:285).
For example, nanomaterials,...could theoretically behave like quartz or asbestos

particles and result in similar damaging effects on the respiratory system (The
Lancet, 2007:1142)
Immediate research is therefore necessary before more time, money and resources are
wasted in developing a potentially harmful technology. This is supported by The Royal
Society’s recommendations:
Until research has been undertaken and published in the peer-reviewed literature, it is
not possible to evaluate the potential environmental impact of nanoparticles...we
recommend that the release of manufactured nanoparticles and nanotubes into the
environment be avoided as far as possible (The Royal Society & The Royal
Academy of Engineering, 2004:50).
For medical technologies, the stakes are significantly higher as our biological well-
being may be at risk. As Prof. Anthony Seaton, Aberdeen University highlights:
‘Toxicological effects are poorly understood...exposure is likely to occur through
inhalation, ingestion and skin absorption’ but as ‘no current specific medical evaluation
protocols exist for exposure to nanoparticles’ (Hoyt & Mason, 2007:10), consumable
use of nanotechnology will be delayed due to the lack of precautionary research. All of
these hazards do not dilute the ethical issues attached to ET. Both factors need to be
researched adding further time and costs to technology production and success.
Appendix G.6 Degrees of certainty: Driving factors for technology success.

Appendix G
Appendix G.7 The Hemochron Junior point-of-care whole blood coagulation testing
device (International Technidyne Corporation). The handheld device (left) employs
single-use sample/reagent cuvettes (right) to measure activated clotting time, partial
thromboplastin time, prothrombin time. Quality control and test results can be
downloaded via serial and ethernet ports (Willmott & Arrowsmith, 2010:159-60).
Appendix G.8 World-first heart op by a robot arm, Dr Andre Ng, Leicester Hosptial
(Radnedge, 2010:23).
Appendix G.9 da vinci surgical robot [Online]. Available at:

http://robocatz.com/daVinci-surgical.htm (Accessed: 14th August 2013).
Appendix G
Appendix G.10 RIBA human assisted robot, developed by researchers at Japan's

Institute of Physical and Chemical Research (RIKEN) and Tokai Rubber Industries,
Ltd. (TRI). Designed primarily to assist nurses by lifting patients in and out of their
beds and wheelchairs (as well as on and off the toilet), the 180-kilogram (400-lb) robot
can safely pick up and carry people weighing as much as 61 kilograms (135 lbs)
[Online]. Available at: http://pinktentacle.com/2009/08/riba-robot-nurse-bear/
(Accessed: 1st September 2012).
Appendix G.11 An image of anticipated nanorobot [Online]. Available at:

http://metallurgyfordummies.com/what-is-nanotechnology/nanorobot-1/ (Accessed: 9th
March 2013).
Appendix G
Appendix G.12 Humans assisted robots: u-Bot5, University of Massachusetts [Online].

Available at: http://www.geekologie.com/2008/04/ubot-5-robot-designed-to-help.php
(Accessed: 13th April 2008).
Appendix G.13 RP6 system consists of mobile device and work desk for clinicians
[Online]. Available at: www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2005/05/050519083715.htm
(Accessed: 11th May 2009).
Appendix G
7.4 Cyborgization: Definitions and background
‘I want to do something with my life; I want to be a cyborg’
Appendix G.14 Left: Warwick, K. (2007) Upgrading Humans - Technical Realities

and New Morals, The Jounral of Geoethical Nanotechnology, p.3 [Online]. Available
at: http://www.terasemjournals.org/GNJournal/GN0204/kw3.html (Accessed: 7th July
2013).
Right: Flintoff, J. (2011) Weirdly useful science of the amateur lab rats, The Sunday
Times, 27th February [Online]. Available at:
http://www.thesundaytimes.co.uk/sto/newsreview/features/article563056.ece
(Accessed: 7th July 2013).
7.4.2 Spatial analysis for future cyborgization in hospitals
Appendix G.15 Advanced Multimodality Image Guided Operating (AMIGO) Suite, at

the National Center for Image-Guided Therapy (NCIGT) at the Brigham and Women’s
Hospital (BWH) and Harvard Medical School [Online]. Available at:
http://www.ncigt.org/pages/File:AMIGO2011-03.png (Accessed: 4th July 2013).
Appendix H
Appendix H
8.2 Discussion of findings for future urban acute hospital space
ET type
UAT Department
scale
A&E OT Imaging Pharmacy Pathology
1. Custom made 1. Custom made 1. Custom 1. Custom made 1. Custom
drugs - New drugs – *NA. made drugs - drugs – New & made drugs -
equipment NA. increased NA.
added. 2. Drug delivery numbers of
systems – no 2. Drug equipment. 2. Drug
2. Drug delivery change to delivery delivery
systems – no equipment. systems – no 2. Drug delivery systems – no
Biotechnology
change to change to systems – More change.

equipment. 3.POCT/LOC equipment. equipment
/LIC – to needed. 3. POCT/LOC
3.POCT/LOC/ become smaller. 3. POCT/ /LIC – to
LIC – to LOC/LIC– to 3. POCT/LOC become
become smaller. 4. ME – More become /LIC – to become smaller.
equipment smaller. smaller.
4. *ME –More added. 4. ME – More
equipment 4. ME – NA 4. ME – NA equipment
Equipment size changes
added. added.
1. Non-clinical 1. Non-clinical 1. Non-clinical 1. Non-clinical – 1. Non-clinical

– new additions. – new additions. – new new additions. – new
additions. additions.
2. Clinical 2. Clinical 2. Clinical robots
robots – smaller robots – smaller 2. Clinical – NA. 2. Clinical
surgical & nano surgical & nano robots – robots – NA.
robots. More robots. More smaller 3. Human assisted
Robotics
telesurgery. telesurgery. surgical & robots – NA. 3. Human

nano robots. assisted robots
3. Human 3. Human More – NA.
assisted robots – assisted robots telesurgery.
new presence in added.
department. 3. Human
assisted robots
– new
presence in
department.
1. Bionics & AI 1. Bionics & AI 1. Bionics & 1. Bionics & AI – 1. Bionics &
Cyborgization
– new – new AI – new new equipment AI – new

equipment equipment equipment added. equipment
added. added. added. added.
*not applicable (NA) *molecular engineering (ME)
Appendix H.1 Table of spatial implications of ET at different medical planning scales.

Appendix H
UAT Department
scale
type
ET
1. Reduced 1.* NSI 1. NA 1. Aseptic suite 1. NA
assesment, to increase in
observation and 2. NSI 2. NSI size. Larger lab 2. NA
treatment spaces. spaces required
3. Dispersed 3. Dispersed for bigger 3. LOC
2. No changes. pockets of space pockets of equipment that requires
required. space produce larger smaller space -
3. Less space required. batch samples. Pathology
required for 4. More OT Reduced space spaces
POCT/LOC/LIC rooms needed required in 2. No. of reduced.
Biotechnology
equipment. New for demand. No imaging clinical spaces

rooms to watch increase to rooms. and rooms to 4. New rooms
patient signals. space in OT increase i.e. for therapeutic
New LIC area rooms. 4. NA storage, offices, cloning, tissue
required. LIC - to labs. & organ
reduce A&E engineering
assessment. 3. NA
Dispersed pockets 5. General -
1:200 spatial impact
of space required. 4. NA New rooms

for equipment,
4. Larger trauma storage,
bays. offices &
procedures.
1. Storage space 1. Storage space 1. Storage 1. Storage space 1. Storage

needed. needed. space needed. needed. space needed.
2. Larger trauma 2. Smaller space 2. Access to 2. New space 2. NA.

spaces. required in OTs. 3D scanners – for equipment
new as demand 3. NA.
Robotics
3. No spatial 3. No spatial adjacencies. increases.

change. change. 4. General –
3. No spatial 3. NA. NA.
4. General – 4. General – change.
increased space increased space 4. General –
for storage. for storage. 4. General – NA.
more space for
storage.
1. Trauma bays 1. Larger 1. Additional 1. No spatial 1. New spaces
Cyborgization
increased for neurological OT rooms change. required for

complex surgery. rooms added. adjacent to OT new ME
New rooms More rooms required. related
added. required for services.
increased
demand.
*no spatial impact (NSI) *molecular engineering (ME)

*not applicable (NA)
Appendix H.2 Table of 1:200 spatial implications of ET.

Appendix H
UAT Department
ET type
scale
1. Reduced 1. More available 1. NA 1. Larger 1. Larger
EAU leaves procedures will department department
Biotechnology
1:500 area increase department size. size.

smaller size. Relocated
2. No impact nearer to
from POCT clinical teams
pockets of
space
1. Larger 1. Option 1 -Smaller 1. Change in 1. Larger 1. Larger
1:500 impact
Trauma Suite multiple OT rooms location of department department

increase size will slightly increase Main Imaging size. size.
Robotics
of department OT and new

2. Option 2 - Larger dedicated
OT/Imaging suites UAT Imaging
will greatly increase suite.
department size
1. Larger 1. Option 2 - Larger 1. Change in 1. NSI 1. Larger
Cyborgization
Trauma Suite OT/Imaging suites, location of department

increases department increase Main Imaging size.
department in size and new Relocated
size dedicated nearer to
UAT Imaging clinical teams
suite.
A&E location OT to grow in size, Imaging to be Department Larger
to remain. either slightly or subdivided. to grow in department
Spatial Size to grow substantially. OT to Spatial size. No size and 1:500
Impact initally but remain in same increases 1:500 relocation to
will stay as ET location. when relocation be adjacent to
progress. relocated. necessary. OT/Imaging
1. 1:500 medical planning adjacencies and flows altered for A&E, OT, Imaging,
Pharmacy, Pathology and Bio. Eng.
2. 1:500 relocations for Pathology, Imaging and Bio. Eng.
Medical
3. Decentralisation of laboratory services
Planning
Impact 4. Planning problems for column structure in A&E
5. Increased size of OT floor to pressurise hospital typology
1. A&E and Pharmacy to externally expand at ground floor levels.

1:1000 2. Creation of super floor of OT, Imaging, Pathology Bio. Eng.
Spatial
Impact
*no spatial impact (NSI) *molecular engineering (ME)

*not applicable (NA)
Appendix H.3 Table of 1:500/1000 spatial implications from ET.

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GLOSSARY
Biotechnology: Biotechnology consists of four sub fields (AGRIFOR Consult, 20051).
Red biotechnology relates to the medical production of antibiotics and genomic
manipulation. White/grey biotechnology relates to industrial production. Green
biotechnology is assocaied with agricultural production and environmental safety while
blue biotechnology relates to aquaculture.
Consortia: A consortium consists of multi-disciplinary companies, such as,
construction and investment businesses, that form a joint venture to finance, design,
deliver and maintain NHS hospitals. Once built, consortia are contracted to maintain the
hospital for a period between 30-40 years while hospital space is rented to the NHS for
the same period of time.
Classical Humorism - humoral care: Classical humoral medicine and humoral care
are based upon the bloods and humours of bodies. Medical knowledge was based on
animal autopsies and adopted by Ancient Greek and Roman physicians and
philosophers.
Design Team Members (DTMs): This definition describes the collective team
members included within a PFI project. Design team members include: all Trust
(normally the Client) members, architects, health planners, medical planners, engineers,
medical equipment specialists, contractors and many more.
1
AGRIFOR Consult, 2005. Guidelines for Green, White, Blue and Red Biotechnologies. Contract No
2004/87266. 42p + Annexes 179p. [Online]. Available at:
http://www.sbcbiotech.nl/page/downloads/Final Report - Guidelines Biotech DCs 2005 Annexes.pdf
Emerging Technologies (ETs): The definition of ETs from World Economic Forum
Global Agenda Council (WEFGAC) Emerging Technologies meeting in Nov 2010
states:
ETs arise from new knowledge or innovative application of existing knowledge that
rapidly develop new capabilities that create entire new industries. Currently
nanotechnologies, synthetic biology, genomics, converging technologies, robotics,
geoengineering and others are considered to be ETs (WEFGAC, 2010).
Private Finance Initiative (PFI): Established during the 1990’s by the British
Government, the PFI process is a method of funding public infrastructure projects, such
as hospitals and schools, with private capital investment. A first phase of new PFI
hospitals was opened in 2001 followed by a second phase of PFI hospitals which were
completed in 2003.
Urgent-Acute-Trauma (UAT): Hospitals contain many different types of patient flows
such as, elective care and UAT care. The UAT hospital terminology describes; the type
of patient admitted (urgent, acute of traumatic); the medical practice to deliver the
patient’s care; the flows and spaces associated with the patient’s treatment within
hospitals

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TOWARDS A NEW HOSPITAL ARCHITECTURE: AN EXPLORATION OF

THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN HOSPITAL SPACE AND TECHNOLOGY

A Thesis presented to University of East London for the degree of

Supervisor Dr. Renee Tobe

School of Architecture, Computing and Engineering

University of East London

and medical planning requirements that are underpinned by complex inter-related

relationships. One assumed relationship is medical technology’s affect upon hospital

and medical technologies. Furthermore, little is known about the implications of

A unique single futures prospective methodology is adopted with a mixed methods

approach. This includes historical research, a quantitative investigation of four London

nanotechnology progression, medical technologies decrease in equipment size during

medical ETs into future urban acute NHS hospitals.

TABLE OF CONTENTS iii

PART I: THESIS FRAMEWORKS AND STRUCTURE

1.1 Background to thesis 1

1.1.1 Thesis concerns 2

1.2 Thesis argument 4

1.4 Importance of thesis 5

1.5 Scope of thesis 6

Chapter 2: Thesis Frameworks

2.1 Theoretical framework: Hospital Medical Planning 9

2.1.1 The Paimio Sanatorium, Finland (1928-1933), Alvar Aalto 13

2.1.2 Northwick Park Hospital, UK (1962-70), John Weeks 18

2.1.3 Ospedale Civile, Italy (1964-66), Le Corbusier 26

2.2 Contextual Framework: Hospital medical planning 33

2.2.1 Defining medical planning: Building blocks 34

2.2.3 Current medical planning design model 36

2.2.4 Design process of PFI NHS acute hospitals 38

2.3 Theoretical framework: Technologies 43

2.3.1 Background to technology development 43

2.3.2 Richard Feynman: There’s Plenty of Room at the Bottom 47

2.3.3 Gordon Moore: Moore’s ‘Law of Computing Technology’ 48

2.3.4 Ray Kurzweil: Law of Accelerating Returns 51

2.3.5 Robert A. Freitas, Jr.: ‘Nanomedicine’ 52

2.4 Contextual Framework: Technology and Healthcare 54

2.4.1 Acute Hospitals and Medical Technology 55

2.4.2 Current ETs and Healthcare 58

2.5 Chapter conclusion 59

Chapter 3: Methodological approaches

3.1 Development and justification of thesis focus 62

3.1.1 Identifying research variables 63

3.1.2 Concept mapping: Defining hospital design influences 65

3.2 Research aims and objectives 67

3.2.1 Confirming the assumed relationship between hospital

space and technology 67

3.2.2 Investigating technology’s influence as a driver of hospital

3.2.3 Investigating the implications of medical ETs for future

UAT treatments and associated hospital spaces 69

3.2.4 Assess the necessity for flexible hospital design solutions 69

3.3 Research framework 70

3.4 Research Design 74

3.5 Quantitative framework: Case study sample criteria 74

3.6 Data collection 76

3.7 Data analysis: Case studies 77

3.8 Data Analysis: Scenario creation 79

3.10 Chapter conclusion 83

PART II: EXPLORING TECHNOLOGY’S RELATIONSHIP WITH

Chapter 4: Historical influences of UK hospital space