The starting point, and where we must begin in order to truly maximise the benefits that P-DfMA and MMC make possible, is to rework our core processes (design, procure, construct, operate) around a central, driving principle: process-led design.

While the reason for this rationalisation was to allow for flexibility and future expansion, a change in business planning meant we had to bring this requirement forward, and expand the hospital while construction was underway, but also while keeping the lower floors operational.. Rationalisation of the internal grid does not limit the options for the external appearance or the aesthetic design of the building.A Platforms approach places no constraint on the architect’s freedom to create a uniquely beautiful building that responds to its environment..

Resilience, future-proofing and sustainability.It is not enough for a hospital to be excellent when it first opens its doors..It must also be excellent next year, in 10 years’ time and 10 years after that.

It must be able to respond not only to its own changing requirements, but those of local and neighbouring environments, populations and infrastructure.As we have seen over 2020, those changes can be radical and terrifyingly fast.

But as we have also seen over the last 20 years, healthcare priorities can be affected by political and social as much as natural changes.. We are also faced with a climate crisis that requires every building to be designed and built for reduction in both embodied and operational carbon..

The best response is to create the most efficient, flexible and adaptable design.And, of course, if people are fully involved in generating solutions, they're more likely to adopt them..

Visual information is vital in communicating complex issues.A generally accepted principle in systems thinking is that diagrams are required to convey complex issues in a way that text generally can't.. We also use modeling and data visualisation, to ensure that decisions are based on facts and data, rather than opinion and hunches.

Transparency of data sources and decision-making is important, because it gives people confidence in the analysis and the proposed solutions..Knowledge capture allows reuse of learning from project to project, promotes standardisation, and allows us to trace decisions through the life cycle of a project.. We will see how Chip Thinking® plays an important role in applying these principles.. What are Chips?.