Dr. Danny Murguia.

After honing their craft at a number of renowned practices in the UK and abroad they came together in 2016 to form the RIBA Chartered architectural practice,.West Port & Co. .

They are now working on a variety of projects from residential extensions, student housing, and even a boutique hotel on the Isle of Skye.. GWS is their first HQ.Prior to taking the space they were doing a mix of working at home and in coffee shops.‘Moving in here has made me realise that there are some really bad office spaces out there,’ says Shaun, ‘but this place makes you realise that an environment can make you work harder and make you happier.

You spend so much time at work, it’s really important.I feel really happy coming here.

It’s a place that is conducive to creating great architecture.’.

Khalifa agrees, ‘having a space has made a huge difference.Uniquely, the focus for the facility was designed to be on cost per clinical outcome, rather than square meterage, or other metrics traditionally associated with buildings.

In addition to this, Wood comments that patient experience ‘was paramount.’ ‘Circle Reading, we believe,’ he says, ‘balances these two factors to a degree that’s not been seen in hospitals, certainly in the UK, before.’.Ultimately, such a unique focus has brought to life a space which, at its most fundamental level, is designed to be the most effective type of hospital.

Still, as Wood reflects, there isn’t anything ‘utilitarian’ about Circle Reading.The focus on driving efficiency and achieving value for the client, doesn’t have to compromise ‘the internal environment or the experience.’ On the contrary, this is a building which has been enhanced by it’s practical design ambitions.. ‘Liberated’ is the word used by Theatre Lead, Albert Maswiken to describe the feeling he experiences working within the hospital.