International architect appointed for two new Leeds hospitals

Leeds Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust has appointed Perkins&Will, led by Penoyre & Prasad with Schmidt Hammer Lassen Architects, as designers of the two new hospitals on the Leeds General Infirmary (LGI) site.

The architects have now signed a contract with Leeds Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust to design the two new state-of-the-art hospitals on the site of the LGI. The 94,000 m² building will house two unique hospitals, one for adults and one for children, including a centralised maternity and neonatal unit.

Significantly, these designs bring together for the first time clinical services for children and young people under one roof.

The design team is now undertaking staff and patient engagement sessions to gather input and support the next stage of design development. The feedback from adults, children, young people, parents, and carers from across the region will help shape how the facility might look and feel in these early designs.

Meanwhile, work continues to clear the LGI site where the new hospitals will be situated, following the demolition of the Trust’s Old Nurses’ Home, the Hearing and Balance Unit, King Edward Building, Children’s Paediatric Offices, and Wellcome Wing. Construction is scheduled to start on site in 2024 with the new facilities planned to be fully operational in 2027.

Simon Worthington, Leeds Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust director of finance and senior responsible officer for the Hospitals of the Future Project, said: “The Perkins&Will concept design is very exciting and will create a fantastic landmark for the city of Leeds.

“We are excited to be moving into the next phase of the design and engaging with staff and the community to help bring to life these flagship hospitals, which will serve Leeds and the wider region for many decades to come.”

Mark Rowe, managing principal of Perkins&Will, said: “We’re delighted to have been appointed to design the Trust’s new hospitals at the Leeds General Infirmary site. Not only will this new healthcare project bring incredible resources to the people of Leeds and the wider region, but it will also set the bar for best-in-class healthcare facilities.

“The design will benefit everyone - staff, patients, and visitors. We will create a beautiful place that enables the Trust to continue to be a leading light in the fields of healthcare innovation, research, and education.”