Delivering a world-first children’s hospital integrating physical and mental healthcare in Cambridge.
Bouygues UK has been appointed as construction partner for Cambridge Children’s Hospital in partnership with Cambridge University Hospitals, Cambridgeshire and Peterborough NHS Foundation Trust, University of Cambridge, a pioneering healthcare facility set to transform care for children and young people.
The project will create a world-leading hospital that integrates physical and mental healthcare alongside groundbreaking research. The new facility will be the first specialist children’s hospital for the East of England, the only region in the UK currently without one.
Cambridge Children’s Hospital will pioneer a holistic approach to children’s healthcare by integrating physical and mental health services within a single environment. By treating mind and body together, the hospital aims to reduce stigma, improve early diagnosis and provide more effective, joined-up care.
The hospital will span approximately 35,000 sqm across five storeys, bringing together specialist clinical facilities, research spaces and family-centred environments designed to support young patients and their families.
Facilities will include 108 inpatient beds, 16 paediatric intensive care beds, 42 day-case beds and seven operating theatres, alongside imaging and diagnostic services and a dedicated hospital school.
A 5,000 sqm research institute will also be embedded within the building, bringing University of Cambridge researchers and NHS clinicians together to create a collaborative, multidisciplinary environment focused on improving the prevention, diagnosis and treatment of childhood disease.
Design approach
Cambridge Children’s Hospital is being purposefully designed through an integrated design management approach, bringing together clinicians, researchers, delivery teams, young people and families from the earliest stages to ensure alignment and reduce design risk.
Through structured engagement with the Youth Forum and Young Adult Forum, individuals with lived experience of healthcare services have contributed meaningful insight into how the hospital should look, feel and function. This collaborative design process ensures the facilities respond to the real needs of patients, families and staff, while supporting safe, high-quality and age-appropriate care.
The architectural design incorporates a mix of unitised and stick cladding systems, including glass reinforced concrete (GRC) panels, vertical terracotta fins and framed façade elements, creating a contemporary and welcoming appearance.
The landscaping plan supports environmental sustainability with a northeast car parking area, a dedicated cycle store for 190 bicycles in the southwest corner, and play areas designed for therapeutic and recreational use.
SUSTAINABILITY APPROACH
Cambridge Children’s Hospital has been designed to meet ambitious sustainability goals, targeting BREEAM Excellent certification and supporting NHS Net Zero Carbon objectives, with sustainability principles embedded from the outset to ensure architectural, structural and MEP solutions work collectively to achieve these targets.
The building incorporates a range of low-carbon technologies, including air source heat pumps and photovoltaic panels, helping to reduce operational emissions and improve long-term energy efficiency.
Sustainability has also been considered throughout the wider site design, with a focus on biodiversity, sustainable transport and creating healthy outdoor environments that support patient wellbeing.
“We are honoured to lead on the construction of this pioneering project which embodies our commitment to innovation, sustainability, and building for life. We look forward to working closely with all our partners to bring this vision to life of setting new standards in healthcare for children.”
Philippe Bernard, Chair and CEO at Bouygues UK
Our partners
This project is being delivered through strong collaboration with our partners, bringing together specialist expertise to support better healthcare outcomes, drive innovation and create lasting value for the local community.
Healthcare
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