The former Royal Bank of Scotland (RBS) building on Bath Street in Glasgow had lain empty since the bank vacated the site in the early 2000s. Private healthcare specialist Elanic, which has a clinic on the ground floor of the building, designed by NVDC in 2011, commissioned the practice to create a three-storey hospital for it.The hospital specialises in deep tissue surgeries such as orthopaedics, gynaecology and weight loss, in addition to cosmetic procedures.The brief called for a fully compliant day surgery and hospital facility with two general aesthetic theatres, five daybeds, bedrooms and recovery rooms, as well as ancillary support spaces such as reception, waiting areas and admission/discharge lounge.AdvertisementA large open-plan office space for marketing and administration staff has also been created on a newly constructed floor within the space that was originally the banking hall.NVDC followed a research-based approach to the development of the healthcare facility. This was applied to the careful choice of colour and materials, finishes and furniture to form a welcoming and calming hospital environment.One of the key drivers was upgrading the existing premises to make it more sustainable and energy efficient. A heat recovery ventilation system in line with Scottish Health Technical Memoranda guidelines has been implemented, and all windows replaced with double glazing. Where possible new insulation has been installed.The 132 Bath Street site housed the largest department store in Scotland until it closed in 1974. The building was demolished and replaced by a shopping centre and car park in 1986, in which the branch of RBS sat.With the demise of retail and the high street in city centres throughout the UK, it is hoped that the introduction of a new kind of adaptive use will encourage more community activity.AdvertisementArchitects viewThe Elanic Hospital project in Glasgow stands out for its innovative reuse of an existing commercial unit within an old shopping centre. This unit, surrounded by active retail and commercial spaces on all sides, has been transformed into a compliant, functional, and enjoyable non-institutional hospital facility in the heart of Glasgow City Centre.Designing hospital facilities is inherently challenging due to their highly serviced, complex, and heavily regulated nature. This complexity is amplified when working within an existing multi-tenanted city centre building, especially one with only a single external faade and limited scope for external alterations due to planning constraints and the existing building design. Our team undertook a detailed and intricate study of the communal areas and existing service routes within the building to identify pathways for the new services required for the hospital.Our design for the new hospital facility not only meets the client's brief in terms of programme and compliance with NHS regulations and guidelines but also creates a non-institutional and uplifting atmosphere. This required a meticulous and surgical approach by the entire design team to navigate the complexities of the existing building and breathe new life into the unit, resulting in a state-of-the-art healthcare facility.The Elanic Hospital project exemplifies how thoughtful design and innovative use of existing structures can create a sustainable, efficient and aesthetically pleasing healthcare facility that benefits both the community and the environment.Farahbod Nakhaei, principal, NVDC ArchitectsClients viewIt's 14 years since NVDC completed our original surgery, specialising in cosmetic procedures (Elanic Clinic, which is below the new hospital) which is so well designed it continues to fulfil all our functions. So when I wanted to go ahead with the new hospital, NVDC Architects was the natural choice in terms of its vast experience in delivering health buildings that satisfy the rigours of Scottish Health Technical Memoranda regulations.The hospital has been created to allow us to expand our services into general healthcare. This includes a new state-of-the-art theatre equipped with the latest ultra-clean ventilation canopy, allowing us to perform deep tissue surgeries such as orthopaedics (hip/knee replacement), gynaecology and weight loss in addition to Elanic Clinics core business of cosmetic procedures.Our facilities are the most advanced in Scotland in terms our hip and knee technology. We aim to carry out more complex surgeries as day procedures, which isnt done in any other private hospitals in Scotland, moving towards a more progressive method of healthcare, where we encourage mobility as quick as possible after surgery, which leads to an earlier discharge and faster recovery at home.Putting a prefab in an out-of-town location is always going to be a cheaper alternative, but it may not be the nicest alternative. In Elanic Hospital we have created a cutting-edge facility, right bang into the city centre, with unique features such as a glass frontage to the main theatre and recovery rooms, bringing in natural light and spectacular views across the city. Its also an ideal location in terms of accessibility, with excellent transport links. A lot of people thought that it couldnt be achieved but NVDC has done it, and in a responsive and innovative way.Dr Vivek Sivarajan, medical director and founder, ElanicProject dataLocation GlasgowStart on site June 2022Completion date January 2025Gross internal floor area Ground floor: 102m2, first floor: 509m2, second floor: 453m2Form of contract or procurement route Standard Building Contract with Quantities for use in Scotland SBC/Q/Scot (2016 Edition)Construction cost 5 millionConstruction cost per m2 4,700Architect NVDC ArchitectsClient ElanicQuantity surveyor CRGP (initial stages), GCMM+E consultantCharles Scott & PartnersStructural engineer The Structural PartnershipPrincipal designer Wilson Adrain Safety ManagementCDM co-ordinator Wilson Adrain Safety ManagementMain contractor Redpath ConstructionCAD software used Vectorworks