Architect and Builder February 2017 | Page 40

PROJECT FEATURE

NELSON MANDELA CHILDREN ’ S HOSPITAL

The Nelson Mandela Children ’ s Hospital ( NMCH ) launched in December 2016 and is the long awaited conclusion of a legacy project inspired by the love of the late Nelson Mandela for children and his wish for improved medical care . The NMCH is the fifth dedicated children ’ s hospital to be built in Africa and only the second in South Africa .

Collaborative Approach Sheppard Robson Architects and John Cooper Architecture ( JCA ) collaborated in 2009 to win an international design competition for the new Nelson Mandela Children ’ s Hospital in Johannesburg .
Sheppard Robson and JCA were responsible for the concept design of the hospital as well as the interior design concept , and were joined by local practices GAPP Architects & Urban Designers and Ruben Reddy Architects . GAPP was responsible for the development of the façade and public spaces of the hospital , whilst Ruben Reddy Architects were the local lead architects , with a scope that included the design development of the clinical and operational facilities of the building and overall coordination Construction broke ground in 2014 , under the management of SIP Project Managers .
The Vision The team drew together specialist design skills with local experience and expertise to deliver the vision for the new hospital , which centered on creating a modern state of the art paediatric tertiary facility .
The design is a 200-bed , eight-theatre facility , with advanced diagnostics and future plans for expansion to 300 beds . It will operate in partnership with the University of the Witwatersrand
38 Nelson Mandela Children ' s Hospital