Philosophy

We strongly believe that successful projects are the product of a combination of strong leadership and a deep understanding of the needs of the ultimate users of the new premises, and our professional and construction team share our commitment to teamwork. We have established an enviable reputation in the property sector for exceeding the expectations of our clients, and we attribute this success to five fundamental concepts which are applied to all our projects.

Certainty

We do not believe it is appropriate for the GPs and PCT to take responsibility for either the financial risks or construction risks inherent in the development process. Our proprietary fixed price building contract ensures that such risks are transferred to the relevant contractors who, after all, are the experts. Abstract's management team have developed over 400,000 sq m of business space, and, to date, neither we nor our clients have incurred a single cost overrun.

Quality

Each new building must represent quality without ostentation, whilst maintaining durability, functionality and individual identity.

Value for Money

The specification for each new building must offer the occupiers true value for money. In addition, wherever possible, the most environmentally friendly options must be selected and the occupiers should regard their premises as efficient and economic to run.

Customer Focus

The principal focus of the design of each building must be the needs of the occupier. In an ever-changing environment for the delivery of healthcare services, your premises should be a solution, not a problem.

Partnership

We adopt a policy of working closely with the end-users of the building at every step of the development, and listening to and understanding their needs. As a result, our clients occupy buildings that support their activities and reflect their needs.

Projects

The design of our buildings evolves through a close working relationship between our architects and you, the end user, so that the solutions we provide are tailored exactly to your requirements. Click on the project names on the right for more details.

Ideas

We aim to provide the very best environment for patients, staff and visitors. 

Good quality buildings, landscape, views, natural light and sensitive colours aid the healing process and make our working environments pleasant and therapeutic. Abstract are committed to work with you to create a building which celebrates that ethos and helps make a positive impact on patient health. 

"People say the effect is on the mind. It is no such thing. The effect is on the body, too.  Little as we know about the way in which we are affected by form, colour, by light, we do know this, that they have a physical effect. Variety of form and brilliancy of colour in the objects presented to patients is the actual means of recovery."  Florence Nightingale 'Notes on Hospitals', 1863 

Nearly one hundred and fifty years later those sentiments are still true. The quality of the building, views of the outside, natural light and pleasing colours are essential to the well-being of patients and their recovery. Studies have shown faster patient recovery, greater patient satisfaction, reduced stress levels amongst staff and helping recruit and retain quality staff. 

"We perceive our environment through our five senses: sight, smell, touch, taste and hearing. The information we pick up from our senses is relayed to the brain which, in turn, will affect our physiological, emotional, psychological and, ultimately, physical condition. Understanding the senses is the key to good design, it allows designers to design with greater skill and enables them to create truly responsive healing environments." NHS Estates 

At Abstract, we and our architects believe strongly in creating the very best in healing environment in our buildings. We work closely with the stakeholders to create buildings which are spacious, welcoming, light and bright. Wherever possible they are naturally lit and ventilated, have good external landscape and bright and cheerful colours within. We engage with artists to work with the staff and patients to personalize the building and create a calm and safe atmosphere. 

Illustrated above is a piece of work by Bridget Jones for the Regional Spinal Injuries Unit at James Cook University Hospital Middlesbrough. Our architects, P+HS, have worked with Bridget on a number of schemes and her work will feature in our current and future buildings. 

www.bridgetjonesglass.co.uk

Design & Procurement

Most GPs only get one chance to build a new surgery. It is a great opportunity to choose how you want to work and create a building that is both a good place in which to work, as well as a sound investment.

Abstract will develop a new Medical Centre for your practice, designed to your requirements. We take all the development risk on your behalf - finding the site, having our professionals design the building and then having it built to our stringent requirements.  We negotiate the rent on your behalf and you lease the completed building from us for an agreed term.

We want you to be happy working in your new building, so it is very much in our interests to ensure that its design and construction meet all your requirements, as well as those of the NHS, the PCT and the District Valuer.  We aim for our buildings to be energy efficient and requiring minimum maintenance, thereby ensuring minimal running costs.

As part of our ongoing commitment to the highest standards of sustainability for our schemes we provide flexible buildings which allow for future expansion, remodelling or alternative use ensuring that the investment in the property is worthwhile throughout the building's life and the building itself is adaptive to changing care and work practices.

We are continually focused on minimising the carbon impact of our infrastructure on the environment.  We use the NHS BREEAM Healthcare toolkit to measure our buildings and, as a minimum, achieve an "Excellent" rating.

We are committed to delivering buildings which exceed current accessibility requirements.  Where necessary we work with access consultants to advise on best practice and we use innovative and imaginative way-finding in our buildings to ensure access to all facilities.  In addition to the core care facilities, we also provide a range of facilities in our buildings such as baby feeding rooms, family toilets which accommodate pushchairs and toddlers, as well as accessible toilets for both staff and visitors.

The architects we work with are P+HS Architects - for further information on the company and to see examples of their work, please have a look at their website: www.pandhs.co.uk.

The image above is a facility that has been designed by P+HS and is called 'One Life', an Integrated Primary Care Centre in Middlesbrough, comprising GP surgery, cafe, pharmacy, laser eye care centre, diagnostics, operating theatres and endoscopy centre.