I have done quite a lot of research in architectural journals looking into modern architecture. Specifically to try and locate similar design trends as I found in the Royal Alexandra Childrens Hospital.

I have learnt through my research that most modern architecture is following similar ideas such as the mixture of different materials such as metals, wood, brick, paneled cladding and glass to add texture, colour and interest.

In contrast older buildings constructed purely in brick begin to look heavy and oppressive.

This is the only other article I managed to find in any journal which mentioned the Royal Alexandra childrens hospital. despite winning an award for its excellent design it is barely mentioned.

This is an article I found on the company during my research in the Architectural Journals.
The building in the picture seems to be another typical BDP design characterised by the mixture of lots of different materials and textures as well as many small windows scattered across the facades.

Victoria Square.

Designed by BDP.

The Royal Albert Hall-Designed by BDP

Saltire centre.

Central atrium leading up to window panels in the roof

Saltire Centre interior

Saltire centre interior details.

The interior here has a very different feel to inside the Royal alex hospital or buildings like the Marlow academy. Rather than a pristine white look to emphasise space and light here they have tried to create more warmth by using wood and eath tones. In some ways this creates a much friendlier, more comfortable atmosphere. It is better suited to relaxation.

Saltire Centre

Another design by BDP. This one incorporates colour but through the lighting on each floor.

The strips of colour along each floor is a very similar idea to what can be seen on the elevation of the Royal Alex childrens hospital.

Interior of Marlow Academy.

Same design ideas of walkways towards the edges with open spaces in the centre covered by a curved roof with large windowed sections to let in additional light.

The use of white in this room adds to the sense of space and makes it seem even lighter and airier.

Marlow Academy.

This gets back to much more familiar BDP design traits. They have used bright colour and mosaic like panelling as well as lots of glass areas to let in lots of natural light.

Interesting use of the colour yellow, generally as we age our preferences for colour change and I have discovered that yellow is better suited to younger children. As an academy for older students yellow may not have been the most suitable choice.

Kelgrove Art Gallery and Museum.

Another design by BDP. This one is quite different to their normal style but still retains some of the important elements such as light.

Interior of Jubilee Place.

Again light, airy open spaces with light coming through not only through large windows but through glass ceilings.

This is a shopping centre called Jubilee Place.

Once again it makes optimal use of natural light by making the roof from glass panels. It also uses a familiar layout to the Royal Alex hospital by creating various floors which allow you to look out over lots of diffent areas of the interior.

Hampden Gurney School.

This is a really unusual design for a school. It is strange to see a space that is so open.

However the benefit of the natural light and colour is probably beneficial in frocusing the children and putting them in the right mood for learning.

Here is another interior shot of the science centre. BDP put great emphasis on wide open public spaces with lots of natural light.
When using this idea in environments such as childrens hospitals I think the colour and light can really influence the mood of the inhabitants making the space a much more pleasant environment.

Here are some interior shots of the Glasgow science centre. Like the Royal Alexandra Hospital it incorporates lots of slanted facades and organic shapes.

This is the Glasgow science centre, also designed by BDP.

Here you can see that the Abito apartments also use the idea of a central atrium which contains all of the sairways and public areas. This leads up to a windowed roof area to make optimal use of natural light.

The ideas of light and space seem to be important themes in the way that BDP design their buildings.

This is a section of the outer facade on the Abito apartment block.

The balconies are similar to a recurring theme that I have found throughout my research into other modern architecture. a number of modern buildings are starting to have areas jutting out of the main building and it looks rather like this.

Also a recurring design in lot of BDP's architecture is to use the building as look out point, they often incorporate balconies or look out points in their designs.

This is one of a number of buildings I have found by the same architects, Building Design Partnership or BDP s they are often known.

This is Abito apartments. I found some elements of this structure familiar to the Royal Alexandra hospital such as the rounded corners and the panelled facades.

zarch

Baltic Pine

European Oak

Limba

Hornbeam

Birch

Shade: Pale
Latin Name: Betula
Origin: Europe
Properties: Yellowish-white in colour and plain.

Bamboo.

This is a sample of ash from the website:
http://www.kellycreative.co.uk/selectveneers/veneerdetail.php?ref=7&golarge=N

I am looking for something similar to this, it must be light in colour so that I can tint it with different colours (for floor 10) and possibly to have the grain lines close together to better suit the scale model.

I have been looking for suitable materials for my model. Among those needed is wood veneer. The following web site is very useful as it displays a wide range of different wood veneers which is really helpful in matching the correct veneer to the effect needed.
http://www.kellycreative.co.uk/selectveneers/veneerfinder.php

Some views of the hospital taken from the internet.

This shows some of the surrounding buildings more clearly.

I found this image on the website below. It shows a small section of the atrium area.
http://www.bbhealthcare.co.uk/History.asp

This is the designers website showing some details of this project and its themes.
Interesting section picture of the south elevation showing how the building on its lowest corner continues underground behind the slope. This wasnt shown on my plans.
http://www.bdp.com/Projects/By-Name/P-Z/Royal-Alexandra-Childrens-Hospital/

The following site gives some further insight into the ideas behind the hospitals unusual design.
The location overlooking the coast has inspired the theme to create "a childrens ark" which is intended to create a happy,safe, relaxed environment which could aid the quick recovery of its patients.
http://www.betterpublicbuilding.org.uk/finalists/2008/royalalexandra/

Whilst researching into the hospital and its facilities I found the following page which provides panoramic views of a handful of different rooms on each of the floors and gives some insight into the hospitals interior design.
http://www.bsuh.nhs.uk/hospitals/our-hospitals/royal-alexandra-childrens-hospital/alex-panoramics/

Childrens hospital from south east corner with surrounding hospital buildings.

Top of south elevation.

Showing floor ten and the surrounding barriers.

Central section with balconies as seen from below.

Central section with balconies on southern elevation.

South east corner.

South elevation.

A closer look at how the two buildings are joined.

South elevation.

Because of the close proximity to the surrounding buildings this was the best shot I could get of this elevation up close.

However it does shed some light on how the building looks from its lowest point and some of the details of the adjoining building.

North east corner.

North elevation and adjoining hospital building.

Here is a better view of the walkway between the two buildings and the buildings on the far side.

Top of north west corner.

Closer look at the roof and upper levels as well as the area adjoining the other building.

North west corner and west elevation.

Cafe area with stair case leading down to the front south facing elevation.

The Royal Alexandra Childrens Hospital

In the very beginning of my research I visited the hospital to take photographs to get a better idea of the building and its surroundings.

This is the north west corner and the north elevation.

The childrens hospital is completely surrounded by other hospital buildings and is directly adjoining one on the north and one on the east side.