Houghton-le-Spring primary care centre designed by P+HS scores 85% on BRE rating system

Contractor Willmott Dixon has completed construction on what it claims is the UK’s first healthcare facility to achieve a BREEAM ‘Outstanding” rating.

The 5,200m² Houghton-le-Spring primary care centre in Sunderland has been accredited by BRE to reach the standard post construction, the first time this has been seen according to Willmott Dixon.

The BREEAM standard for commercial buildings, run by the BRE, scores buildings on their level of sustainability, with Houghton-le-Spring achieving a score of 85%. The Department of Health has mandated that all new healthcare facilities should meet the BREEAM ‘Excellent’ standard.

The building, which includes solar heating and photovoltaic panels, was designed by architect P+HS. It also includes an 18m wind turbines and heating from ground source heat pumps.