Students from around the world inspired to design a Net Zero Neonatal Unit of the future
This year, Class Of Your Own partnered with the New Hospital Programme (NHP) to inspire the next generation of healthcare design, engineering and construction professionals around the world.
Secondary school students were challenged to design a net zero neonatal unit using modern methods of construction and focus on the use of appropriate sustainable materials and energy solutions that lead to safer, better quality healthcare buildings of the future.
Designs were to demonstrate great empathy for all end users and overcome a range of social and cultural issues.
Judges with winning entry - Left to right: Natalie Firminger, Natalie Forrest, Daniel O’Leary, Luke Goldfinch and Nicholas Mead
The finalists…
Finalists representing schools from Scotland, England, Jersey, the United Arab Emirates and Malaysia faced a tough judging panel:
- Natalie Forrest, Senior Responsible Owner (SRO) for the New Hospital Programme, Department of Health & Social Care.
- Natalie Firminger, Hospital Design and Development Director, Whipps Cross Redevelopment, Barts Health NHS Trust.
- Daniel O’Leary, Clinical Fellow (Maternal Health), New Hospital Programme, NHS England.
- Luke Goldfinch, Senior Engineer, West Suffolk NHS Foundation Trust.
- Nicholas Mead, Technical Director – MEICA systems, Laing O’Rourke Europe.
“Congratulations to all entrants. This is a very tough challenge, and the standard was so high.”
Natalie Forrest
A worthy winner!
The winning ‘team’ comprised just one pupil!
16-year-old Sabina Lacey from Prince of Wales Island International School, Penang, Malaysia produced incredible work that really wowed the judges.
Natalie Forrest announced Sabina as the winner of the COYO Challenge 2023 at a House of Lords event on 5 July hosted by former Education Minister, Lord Jim Knight, and Class Of Your Own founder and CEO, Alison Watson MBE.
Today – Friday 17th November and World Prematurity Day, we caught up with Sabina, her mum and our fantastic judges to announce her prize…
Sabina Lacey from Prince of Wales Island International School, 2023 COYO Design Challenge Winner
“Clearly this team of one had done some extraordinary research to ensure her design met, or even surpassed, the demanding criteria. A big ‘well done’ to Sabina Lacey!
I hope this inspires you to consider a career in healthcare design.
Having the best and brightest minds working in healthcare design will play an important role in creating the infrastructure we need.”
Natalie Forrest
Sabina, who would love to study Architecture in the future, told judges how she wanted to include nature as the centrepiece for her hospital design and used Lego bricks to help her conceptualise the layout of the building.
Nick Mead was very impressed. “When can you start work, Sabina?! One of the big things in engineering is having that practical, theoretical way of thinking and not just relying on a computer. We’re doing exactly the same in modern methods of construction as you are with Lego!”
Natalie Firminger commented: “One of the things you picked up so well was patient comfort and safety; heating, cooling, medical gases – all of which are important to keep babies alive. Well done! It was a real pleasure to read your entry.”
Danny O’Leary is a big fan of Sabina’s work. “I have to say, when I first read your entry, I couldn’t believe it was from somebody as young as you! I have seen some really spectacular plans, but yours was so inciteful and to get a clinician like me excited, it’s a really big thing!”You did really, really well and I would love to see your plan come to fruition. You are extremely talented.”
Natalie Forrester added, “I don’t think I’ve ever seen Danny so excited! We’re trying to design hospitals for the future. We want to understand how to make the experience for patients and staff, so much better. If it all comes together in the way you’ve described in your submission it means that every box is ticked. You’ve managed to include the needs of everyone in your design. Don’t stop! Carry on with your ambition!”
An extraordinary prize for an extraordinary student…
Sabina’s prize is to join industry professionals from Ryder Architecture and Sir Robert McAlpine in the Summer of 2024 and experience the ‘real-world’ of Healthcare design, engineering and construction.
The specialist teams working on New Hospital Programme projects will help her to take her winning design to an ‘industry-standard’ digital model and give her some expert advice ands guidance along the way.
One thing is for sure; with the knowledge and skills she already possesses, Sabina has an extraordinary future ahead of her!
Well done Sabina!
The challenge is now now available for all schools to access as a ‘DEC Award‘, the first of three in Class Of Your Own’s suite of focused Healthcare projects. For more information, contact support@classofyourown.com.
