Case Study
Pembury Hospital, Tunbridge Wells
01 / Case Study
Pembury Hospital, Tunbridge Wells
Delivered under a Private Finance Initiative (PFI) programme, this project involved the full replacement of existing hospital facilities with a new, standalone building that centralised services previously located across multiple sites.
Location / Tunbridge Wells
Contract Value / £225m
Architect / Anshen & Allen
Client / Laing Equion/Crown House Eng/Maidstone & Tunbridge Wells NHS Trust
Completion / 2010
02 / Overview
Overview of the Pembury Hospital project
DSSR was appointed by Laing O’Rourke, the Design and Build Contractor, to undertake full mechanical, electrical, and public health design duties. The development includes a full suite of hospital departments such as A&E, Outpatients, ICU, operating theatres, general wards, and a dedicated Women’s & Children’s Unit. Notably, the hospital was the first in the UK to feature 100% single-bedrooms, significantly improving infection control, patient dignity, and overall wellbeing.
Designing for a Constrained Site and Woodland Setting
Situated on the site of former temporary accommodation, the hospital was developed as a multi-storey standalone facility due to the limited footprint. Once services were transferred to the new building, the old hospital could be demolished, freeing up the site. Despite spatial constraints, DSSR’s engineering design ensured seamless integration of services without compromising performance or patient experience. Surrounded by mature woodland, the site provided a unique opportunity to align the hospital’s layout with therapeutic landscape views, offering nearly every patient room direct sightlines to nature—a design feature that supports recovery and mental wellbeing.
Engineering Sustainability at the Core
Sustainability was a core driver throughout the project. The challenging energy consumption and carbon emissions targets set by the NHS Trust were met with an innovative energy strategy centred around a 1.2MW biomass boiler. Supplied with locally sourced wood chips from forestry management waste, the biomass system provides base heating throughout the year, reducing reliance on fossil fuels. The system is supplemented by high-efficiency gas boilers during peak demand. This approach not only supports NHS carbon reduction goals but also stimulates the local green economy.
Smart Natural Ventilation and Passive Design
Natural ventilation played a major role in the hospital’s environmental strategy. The site’s woodland location enabled safe air intake without the risk of noise or pollution, allowing for passive ventilation across the wards. However, due to rising summer temperatures in the South of England, innovative louvred ventilation panels were introduced. Each panel includes closable doors to regulate airflow and prevent rain ingress, ensuring thermal comfort without mechanical cooling. DSSR used dynamic simulation modelling to optimise louvre sizing and placement, balancing ventilation performance with occupant comfort and infection control requirements.
Daylight, Glazing and a Holistic Healing Environment
In line with the Trust’s aspiration for high levels of natural light, DSSR designed a façade strategy using large, fixed windows complemented by the louvred ventilation system. This allowed for expansive daylight access while maintaining excellent thermal and acoustic performance. The use of solar control glazing eliminated the need for external shading, reducing visual clutter and solar heat gain while improving energy performance. This integration of passive design, advanced energy systems, and evidence-based healthcare planning illustrates DSSR’s commitment to low-carbon, patient-centred environments that push the boundaries of sustainable hospital design.
