Green Gown Awards 2014 - Construction and Refurbishment - University of Worcester - Finalist

Historical building with a celebrated past providing new inspiration and outstanding accommodation

The Worcester Royal Infirmary was the primary teaching and surgical hospital in Worcestershire until its closure in 2002. After lying derelict for eight years, it has now been sensitively restored to provide attractive modern teaching spaces. The Grade 2 listed building, which dates from 1754, has an important history and was where Sir Charles Hastings founded the British Medical Association in 1832.

The University acquired the building in 2006 and began refurbishment work in 2010. This work was completed the following year.

The building, now called the Charles Hastings Building, has been sensitively restored to much of its former grandeur and provides valuable teaching, seminar, office and social spaces that are functional, comfortable and attractive. The building is now home to the Worcester Business School.

Top 3 learnings

1 Re-using an existing building can successfully be converted to large teaching spaces and facilities
2 Working in a listed building has meant all Building Services (M&E) and IT infrastructure is distributed around the building within galvanised steel trays and surface fixed exposed conduit making it an attractive feature that celebrates modern technology within an historic setting, rather than something to be hidden
3 Retrofitting buildings is nearly always more cost effective than new-build.