In July 2021, we were proud to have handed over the new Mortuary & Post-Mortem building, at University Hospital Waterford campus, Ardkeen, Waterford, to our client the Health Service Executive – providing modern facilities to serve the people of Waterford, and the South-East region.
Replacing an existing key facility on the hospital campus, the C.J. Falconer & Associates-designed new 1,030m2 building, seeks to present a building-design of elegant character, that simultaneously supports both the clinical and ceremonial operations, which are uniquely required in this instance to be delivered in parallel within a single building.
In order to create the appropriate environment for the visitors during solemn times, the project has been met with a mindful architectural solution that includes a distinguished multi-faith prayer curved room, with canopied external receiving area. Visiting public areas also include a walled courtyard, and a number of sensitively designed viewing rooms which aim to provide comforting and respectful atmospheres suitable for the various end of life processes, which the building houses, and which were developed in-line with the HSE and Irish Hospice Foundation ‘Design & Dignity’ Guidelines. The areas also benefit from a number of installed artworks commissioned for the building, by the Waterford Healing Arts Trust.
From a Pathology perspective – the facility comprises of an integrated post-mortem room, as well as a separate specialist forensic post-mortem room which will facilitate clinical requirements, including a raised viewing room for forensic and education purposes – and also houses a collection of state of the art equipment, within a single facility which is unique in Europe – and facilitating the work of UHW’s highly skilled and experienced workforce, that includes Pathologists, Histopathologists, Anatomical Pathology Technicians, and specialist administrative support staff.
In addition to achieving these operational requirements – the design also sought to create an elegant landmark structure, visible from the adjacent Waterford City-Centre arterial roadway, and retail/residential area. Having commenced construction in January 2020, the new 1,030m2 facility reached construction completion in June 2021 – and the design was developed while being cognisant to ensure that no disruption would be created by the delivery of the building within the vicinity of the ‘blue-light route’ of a live hospital campus.
Photography by Andrew Campion (andrewcampionphotography.com)
