Longtown Medical Centre, Carlisle

Role: Architecture

Value: £1.1million

The recently completed Longtown Medical Centre in Cumbria, has brought together two existing GP surgeries under one roof, finally removing the need for patients to be treated from substandard and cramped accommodation.

The internal arrangement of the building is simple and coherent. The ground floor consists of the main waiting room, corridors to either side of the waiting area provide access to all GP and nurse consulting rooms. The clarity of the plan ensures that the receptionist, can clearly see all patient areas. It also enables patients to readily orientate themselves within the building, helping them to take ownership of the referral process from waiting areas through to the consultant rooms.

On the second floor, a secondary waiting area also serves as a large flexible space suitable for out of surgery hours meeting or education space. Whilst the building footprint is in essence rectangular, on elevation the building envelope is articulated to form a pleasing and considered public building with light and airy internal spaces.