We are committed to achieving the highest standards of quality in the design of our buildings, not only in terms of the healthcare planning but in the design of the physical envelope of a building from which these services are delivered.

Our designs are developed using best practice toolkits (AEDET and BREEAM) and within the NHS Estates guidelines, and reflecting advice from CABE, Secure by Design and other bodies participating in the formulation of good design guidance and technical information.

The buildings are the physical, architectural embodiment of the LIFT ethos and reinforce a strong positive image of the NHS. They are characterised by design and construction of the highest quality. In the provision of greater patient choice and accessibility, they share a confident, modern architectural language and set of design principles. They are a family – a recognisable brand that stimulates interest, pride and wellbeing through a common approach to site development, construction, materials and design motifs.

The buildings have been designed to a high sustainability agenda, taking into account whole-life cycle costs. Designed to optimise user comfort, they are oriented and laid out in such a way as to maximise natural daylight to all populated areas and allow manual control of both natural and artificial light and ventilation in line with individual user preferences. They carefully balance transparency with privacy in the provision of spaces which are at once inviting yet intimate; which encourage interaction but which are acoustically sound.