Gabrielli, Paolo, et al,.

As the Reading project demonstrates, working in this way drives a great number of efficiencies and Johnston remarks that ‘Circle were highly supportive of the design and delivery approach developed for them evolving in this way,’ noting that they ‘have always been keen to share best practice with other clients.’.Indeed, as Wood points out, the benefits of Platforms can be applied across typologies, from healthcare to educational facilities and housing.

As time progresses and ushers in vastly increased productivity demands for the construction industry, the use of digital technologies and automation will provide a key solution to facilitating the necessary increases, as well as generating an array of client, end-user and societal benefits.It’s a methodology which facilitates higher accuracy, reduced costs, less waste, improved user experience and performance.. To this end, Circle Reading provides a glimpse into the efficiency anchored future of architecture, delivering a 25% cost savings on Circle’s previous Bath hospital and being delivered in just over eighteen months.Uniquely, the focus for the facility was designed to be on cost per clinical outcome, rather than square meterage, or other metrics traditionally associated with buildings.

In addition to this, Wood comments that patient experience ‘was paramount.’ ‘Circle Reading, we believe,’ he says, ‘balances these two factors to a degree that’s not been seen in hospitals, certainly in the UK, before.’.Ultimately, such a unique focus has brought to life a space which, at its most fundamental level, is designed to be the most effective type of hospital.

Still, as Wood reflects, there isn’t anything ‘utilitarian’ about Circle Reading.

The focus on driving efficiency and achieving value for the client, doesn’t have to compromise ‘the internal environment or the experience.’ On the contrary, this is a building which has been enhanced by it’s practical design ambitions.. ‘Liberated’ is the word used by Theatre Lead, Albert Maswiken to describe the feeling he experiences working within the hospital.In this new world, she says, the architects will “truly become empowered architects, when you actually put real things in their hands…”.

Johnston, an architect himself, is keen to reclaim the role.He feels these new tools will help architects improve designs, outcomes and generally “achieve better things for clients.”.

In other words, it’s the combination of productisation and technology that becomes the truly enabling factor..Currently, Marks says, “we're letting people design with things that aren't real, and we're letting them make them less real by stretching them, or only looking at geometric shapes.