THE NEW VELINDRE CANCER CENTRE

The new cancer centre, set to be the greenest hospital in the UK, is part of Velindre University NHS Trust’s Transforming Cancer Services in South East Wales Programme. It will provide patients and carers with high-quality and sustainable services, delivering the most effective treatments while also leading national and international education, research, and innovation in cancer patient care.

Energy use and embodied carbon have been central to sustainability goals throughout the design, build, operate, and whole life phases. From the outset, the new Velindre Cancer Centre is designed to function as an all-electric facility, leveraging renewable energy sources such as photovoltaic roof panels and air source heat pumps to substantially reduce dependence on fossil fuels.

Features such as optimal building orientation, natural ventilation, and sunlight utilisation significantly lower energy demand while enhancing occupant thermal and visual comfort. The building massing is compact, incorporating a central “lolfa” to minimise travel distances and corridors, thereby eliminating the need for typical “hospital streets”. Daylight penetration has been encouraged by layout, the use of courtyards, and fenestration design. In addition, there will be a view of the sky from desk level from 80% of each relevant room.

Existing habitats are retained, and habitat gradients created, from woodland to forest edge, margins of scrub, to clearings of managed, biodiverse wildflower meadow. This allows for a range of interdependent flora and fauna to develop healthy ecosystems. Biodiversity is further enhanced by use of green roofs with the swales and balancing pond creating a biodiverse wetland habitat.

We have taken tangible steps to address long standing inequalities within the construction sector. Women now represent 30% of our project management team—double the national average—and 5% of our site workforce, compared to a 1% national benchmark. Our multicultural team spans 14+ nationalities, demonstrating our belief that diversity drives performance, innovation, and social equity.