Farrer Square Surgery Centre

Healthcare architecture consists of a wide range of building types, ranging from small neighbourhood clinics to large hospital complexes; as well as general hospitals providing a comprehensive suite of medical services to the specialised clinics that focus on a selected field of sophisticated and advanced systems—such as life support, telecommunication, space comfort and hygiene—as all of which require building services to be robustly designed. The complex physical functions of healthcare facilities are to be considered in relation to the network of stakeholders that are involved with the project, including sponsors, patients, doctors, nurses, administrative and service staff, visitors, maintenance crew, suppliers, etc. Conflicting demands arising out of a myriad of needs and requirements are only to be expected. Good healthcare design not only seeks to resolve these conflicts, but also provides an integrated solution that addresses the following:

• Efficient operation and cost-effectiveness
• Flexibility and expandability
• Therapeutic environments
• Cleanliness and sanitation
• Accessibility
• Controlled circulation
• Aesthetics
• Security and safety
• Sustainability

Farrer Square Surgery Centre (formerly Farrer Park Medical Tower) has a lettable area of approximately 350 square metres per level and occupies four levels of the development. The combination of a surgical clinic and a hotel gives rise to an interesting typology where the patient stays for a maximum of 23 hours and recovery takes place in both the clinic and subsequently the hotel rooms.

The compact nature of the project dictates that the interior spaces have to be highly efficient in planning and because of the surgical aspect of the clinic, medical planning plays a critical role in the programmatic zoning. The Medical Consultation Department occupies the fifth floor, comprising cardiology, urology, ophthalmology, ENT specialisations and general consultation rooms. Level 6 is designed for the Medical Imaging Department where the X-ray, computerised tomography (CT) scan, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and ultrasounds are conducted. Level 7 caters to day surgery, where the main operating theatres and recovery bays will be. Support spaces are closely tied in to provide easy access. The procedures performed that will be on an elective basis are only selected if suitable for the limitations imposed by this day procedure medical centre.

With all these aspects in mind, other than the usual coordination with the mechanical and electrical engineers, the consultants have to work closely with the preferred medical equipment vendor, medical gases supplier and even the developer’s own consultant team to achieve the most ideal design strategy to smoothen clinical workflow. A feasibility study has been carried out by Oliver Wyman, the client’s business planning adviser, to test fit the design brief derived from their business model within the footprint of the leaseable areas of levels 5, 6, 7 and 8 of the new Farrer Square development. This includes schedules of functional content, department stacking and adjacency diagrams as well as test fit plans within the base build drawings as supplied by the developer. These shall form the basis of the schematic design undertaken by the consultant.

PROJECT DATA
Project Name: Farrer Square Surgery Centre
Location: 12 Farrer Park Station Road, Singapore
Status of Construction: Tender Documentation
Expected Completion: 2Q 2018
Gross Floor Area: 1,350 square metres (350 square metres per level)
Building Height: Four levels (Levels 5, 6, 7 and 8)
Client/Owner/Developer: HSC @ Farrer Square Pte Ltd
Architecture Firm: CPG Consultants Pte Ltd
Principal Architect: Jerry Ong
Business Planning Adviser: Oliver Wyman
Interior Design Firm: CPG Consultants Pte Ltd
Principal Designer: Jerry Ong
Civil & Structural Engineer: RSP Architects Planners & Engineers (Pte) Ltd
Mechanical & Electrical Engineer: OAC Pte Ltd
Quantity Surveyor: CPG Facilities Management Pte Ltd
Images: CPG Consultants Pte Ltd