
The Challenge:
Procured through the p21+framework, Kier were appointed by the Frimley Health NHS Foundation Trust to redevelop Heatherwood Hospital, replacing the current Heatherwood building which has stood in Ascot since the 1920s. The new hospital located on the adjacent woodlands site features six operating theatres, 48 inpatient beds and 22 day-case cubicles and provide operations, diagnostics and outpatient care to both NHS and private patients.
In line with our Building for a Sustainable World framework, our work on this project had to reflect Kier and Frimley Health NHS Foundation Trust’s commitment to sustainability and biodiversity.
Due to COVID, the team were faced with several challenges and they worked hard to put measures in place to ensure the project remained unaffected.

The Solution:
As works commenced, a detailed logistical management plan was adhered to ensure that visits, traffic, and public parking at the existing hospital remained unaffected. The team utilised the latest technology and Building Information Modelling (BIM) throughout the construction phase whilst working with key stakeholders i.e., due to COVID and the national lockdown, physical site visits were limited so the team installed a 3D camera capture to take 360-degree photos across the site. This footage enabled the team to host virtual visits and inspections by the client, the architects, structural engineers, the Clerk of Works, and Considerate Constructors Scheme representatives. The team also used virtual reality (VR) headsets to provide hospital staff with an opportunity to see the new building and provide feedback on the different aspects of the building.
The project has been built to a BREEAM ‘Very Good’ rating and features a 188-panel photovoltaic system that can produce 64kW of electricity, the latest Trend BMS controls system controlling all heating, cooling, and ventilation as well as LED lightening fitted throughout the building with daylight and presence detection. The building also has been fitted with a robust Sustainable Urban Drainage System (SUDS) under the car park. Rainwater from the roof drains into a nearby balancing pool, preventing flooding and providing benefit to the local wildlife.

The Impact:
The new 11,500m² development offers a range of first-class facilities to support planned, non-emergency care, with state-of-the-art specialist and general outpatient and operating procedure rooms, diagnostic facilities, operating theatres and wards designed for the best patient experience. In addition, it has a primary care hub and a private patient unit. This latest project supports the wider ambitions of Frimley Health NHS Foundation Trust and will bring some of the best planned care services in the country to residents across Berkshire, Hampshire, and Surrey.
Heatherwood Hospital achieves a high level of energy efficiency and makes a positive contribution towards sustainability, renewable energy, and biodiversity. This was a zero cut and fill project with 10,000 metres cube of soil being repurposed plus, 95% of all site was waste was recycled.
Both the client and project teams’ commitment to working with the local community was evident with Heatherwood Hospital achieving excellent Considerate Constructors Scheme scores throughout the build. Kier also worked with its supply chain partners to help deliver the project and provided various work placements and job opportunities to the local community.
" The fact that we have been able to deliver on such a major project in the middle of a global pandemic and the most challenging times in our hospitals is testament to the hard work and dedication of everyone involved in the project teams. Heatherwood is one of the UK’s best planned care facilities, providing non-emergency care to patients across the region. The building was designed to deliver planned care more efficiently and in a much-improved patient environment built for modern needs. "Nigel Foster Executive Director of Finance and Estates Frimley Health NHS Foundation Trust
View more projects
Every project we deliver is an opportunity for us to bring our unique thinking to solve problems, innovate and collaborate with our clients and beyond.
Berkeley Green & UTC South Gloucestershire & Stroud College (SGS)
Rising from the ashes of a decommissioned former nuclear site, SGS Berkeley Green, a converted 1940’s engineering hall, and new University Technical College (UTC) are the first educational buildings to be completed on a new ground-breaking GREEN campus, within Gloucestershire Science and Technology Park.
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The addition of high-class sport and leisure facilities for one of the UK’s most distinguished private schools has created flexible, multi-purpose spaces wrapped around the existing centre. Alongside a new sports hall, activity studios, squash courts and a gym, are additional changing rooms, a MUGA and new car park.
Astrea Academy Sheffield - Primary School
Restoring a listed local landmark to its former glory to create a brand-new school for North East Sheffield.
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Dixons Sixth Form
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£1m refurbishment of levels five and six of Sheffield Hallam University’s Aspect Court building to create space for degree apprenticeship students and an innovation hub
The Springfield Sixth Form Centre, Dewsbury Learning Quarter
Construction of the Springfield Sixth Form Centre, beginning the development of the Dewsbury Learning Quarter for Kirklees College
The David Attenborough Building
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Stowlawn Primary School
Procured through the Scape National Minor Works Framework, this scheme involved the construction of a new primary school provision at the existing Stowlawn Primary School in Bilston, Wolverhampton. Unique to this project was the building’s existing Passivhaus principals and bespoke brickwork façade.
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Creating a state of the art teaching centre for science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM).
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A joint venture with Kier Major Projects for the University of Northampton. The project marked the first time Kier had committed to a large-scale Light Gauge Steel (LGS) frame project and is the largest LGS project to date in the UK.
Sensor City
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Slade Green Regeneration
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Bringing an iconic and sustainable development to the Carmarthen campus of the University of Wales, providing 40,000 sq. ft. of accommodation for for Welsh Media company S4C and the University's new media faculty and offices, and achieving a BREEAM Excellent certificate for sustainability.
Falmouth School Sports Pavilion
The design and construction of a sports pavilion, including FA compliant changing facilities, gym, office space and flexible recreation areas. In addition a first floor balcony was incorporated into the design which overlooks the sports pitches.
Cathedral School
Creating a two-form entry primary school within a Grade 1 listed building.
Harris Girls' Academy Bromley
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Don Valley Academy
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Huntington Community Primary School
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Tiger Way
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Aureus Secondary School
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Sheffield Hallam University Robert Winston Annexe
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The Chase SEN
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Alperton Community School
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Degree Apprenticeship Centre
Revolutionary in its design, the first Degree Apprenticeship Centre on the Warwick University Campus marks a new stage in the University’s teaching programme. The new three-storey 2,400m² innovative development centre provides a bridge from education to industry.
Bartholomew School
Enhancing the estate of an already ‘outstanding’ Ofsted school to provide up-to-date facilities, fit for 21st-century learning.
Woolwich Polytechnic School for Girls
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HMP Five Wells
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The Institute for Innovative Materials, Processing and Numerical Technologies (IMPACT)
New state-of-the-art research centre, the Innovative Materials, Processing and Numerical Technologies (IMPACT) building, situated on the Swansea University Bay Campus provides future proof, highly specialised laboratories for fundamental and applied research and delivers a high impact, transformative research environment for industry and academia to collaborate in advanced engineering and materials.
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Ericsson - Radio Access Network Framework
The RAN (Radio Access Network) is the technology used in the UK to allow mobile phones to transmit and receive data and voice services. Ericsson are a leading provider of RAN access to many of the UK’s mobile networks and in 2013, we were appointed by Ericsson to maintain its RAN assets to keep the UK’s 4G and 5G networks live and operational
Springhead Park Primary School
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Spa School, Camberwell
Spa School Camberwell is a co-educational special school for students aged 5 to 16 with autism. Construction works included the structural alteration, internal remodelling and fit out of a three storey Victorian building with a three storey new build extension. It has the capacity for 120 students and 80 staff.
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Ebbsfleet Green Primary School
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Constructing a new primary school to address the shortage of pupil places in Reading, Berkshire.
Netherthird Primary School
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First Light Pavilion
Award winning £20.5m First Light Pavilion at Jodrell Bank delivered for the University of Manchester. The brand-new discovery centre, which has the largest reinforced concrete dome in Europe, creates a first-class attraction demonstrating Jodrell Bank’s world-leading place in the history of astronomy.
Addington Valley Academy
Design and construction of an all through SEND school, funded by the Department for Education and managed by Orchard Hill College Academy Trust. The school specialises in autism and complex needs for up to 150 pupils aged 2–19 and offers a wide variety of special learning environments including sensory/calm spaces and emotional literacy support rooms.
HMP Five Wells
Design and construction of an adult male Category C resettlement prison, designed to enhance rehabilitation. As a project integrator, Kier used a Design for Manufacture and Assembly (DfMA) component-led approach to deliver the project, setting new standards for excellence in modern methods of construction (MMC), innovation and digital technologies.