Appleby Primary Care Centre

The primary care centre in Appleby is representative of the community focus that is applied to all Prime buildings.

Serving patients within a ten-mile radius, the centre brings together community health services, social services, library and day care facilities for the elderly, in a truly integrated facility.

Sustainable design was core to this scheme. CO₂ emissions were kept low with high efficiency insulation, low energy lighting and the use of natural ventilation systems and zoned heating controls. The project team was also keen to reduce the carbon footprint of the project. Transport impacts were lessened by using local building contractors and locally sourced materials wherever possible. The carbon footprint was further reduced by reusing stonework from the demolished buildings in the new flood defences and specifying reconstituted slate tiles for the roof.

To ensure the design was suitable for elderly users of the building the team worked with the interior designers and end users on bespoke colour schemes for every group within the building. Colours and designs were carefully chosen to accommodate the specific needs of the various building users – plain muted shades being more calming for Alzheimer’s patients for example.

The official opening of the new centre by Age Concern patron HRH the Prince of Wales, set the seal on a project that not only provides the community with enhanced levels of health and social care but which also embodies the very best in public design.