Concept Design
Forming the early design direction before detailed architecture begins.
Concept design translates a hospital project's brief into a design direction: the conceptual massing, spatial organization and design principles that give the project its character and logic. It explores how the care model and clinical plan express themselves in building form, tests early spatial and form decisions, and defines what the building should feel like - the bridge between the project concept and detailed and clinical space design.
What this service covers
- Translation of the project brief into design intent
- Conceptual massing and spatial organization
- Design principles: light, wayfinding, environment and identity
- Care-model to building-form expression
- Early spatial and form decision testing
- Functional programme to building form relationships
- Option exploration and trade-off recording
- Interface with the project concept and feasibility
- Handover criteria to detailed and clinical design
- Documented concept design
Our process
- Review the project brief and clinical plan
- Develop the design principles
- Test spatial and massing concepts
- Evaluate options against programme and intent
- Set the concept direction
- Hand over to design development
Frequently asked questions
What does concept design include?
The early design direction: conceptual massing, spatial organization, design principles and conceptual planning for the project.
When is it needed?
After feasibility and the project concept, before detailed design and clinical space design begin.
What information is required?
The project brief, care model, capacity and clinical plan, and the site context.
What are the deliverables?
A concept design with design principles, massing studies and a documented direction for development.
How is it different from clinical space design?
Concept design sets the overall design direction of the project; clinical space design designs the individual patient-care environments within it.