London-based architectural firm, Foster + Partners have completed a hospital in Bath, UK, clad in aluminium shingles. Called CircleBath, the design is meant to be more akin to a luxury hotel than a hospital. Circlebath is expected to open to patients in february. This is the first hospital in a chain of health campuses across the UK commissioned by health properties for circle, a privately funded initiative.

The three-storey building is arranged around a central atrium with operating theatres and recovery rooms overlooking a private garden. Public entry is from the road on the north directly into the atrium on the ground level floor. The northern façade comprises dark panelling at the lower levels, while on the south, extensive glazing opens out to views over the surrounding rolling countryside. The rectangular upper volume and roof, encloses all twenty-eight bedrooms, clad in a reflective lattice of aluminium shingles.

The double-height atrium forms the focus for patients, staff and visitors, with private consultation rooms leading from it at ground level and in-patient bedrooms arranged around it above. The main reception point, café and nurses’ station occupy the atrium where daylight, drawn through the circular sky lights.