New state-of-the-art building for York medical students
Posted on 16 September 2003
The HYMS building at York has built-in extendability making it easier for possible future expansion that would just simply blend-in with the existing construction. With entrances on two levels, (the ground and first floors) and all levels connected via a lift, the building has good disabled facilities and access.
The contemporary interior of the HYMS building includes open-plan office areas with comfort cooling - a form of air-conditioning without humidity control, that will be directed to certain places that have a large population of machines or computers. Incorporated throughout are movement-sensitive lighting and a sensitive temperature control system, making the building environmentally friendly.
The ground floor has eight workrooms with eight or nine PCs in each of these rooms for students to undertake problem-based learning and research. There are also practical rooms, laboratories, seminar rooms and a common room for tutors and students.
The first floor has a bright, welcoming student reception area, modern staff offices and meeting rooms, including a conference room with the latest in video-conferencing technology which will be the key link to staff in Hull and the NHS throughout the region. In addition, there are interview rooms where students can interview 'patient simulator's' - people acting as patients to create a doctor-patient scenario.
The second floor of the stylish new HYMS building will provide space for Health Sciences postgraduates and researchers.
Designed by architects Farrell and Clark and built by Dorman Long Construction Ltd, the York HYMS building is located next to Alcuin College at the University of York. It is part of a suite of new buildings that have incorporated similar architectural treatment, including the Seebohm Rowntree and Humanities Research Library buildings.
Building work began at York in September 2002 and has been finished to coincide with the arrival of the very first medical students on 15 September.
The site is adjacent to a copse at the northwest of the HYMS building, so an integral part of the design process was to use sympathetic landscaping, including further planting of trees around the new medical school.
Lectures and some other teaching, including video-teaching links and a clinical simulation ward, will take place in the adjacent Seebohm Rowntree Building. This building houses nursing students and students of social policy and social work
The launch will happen simultaneously at York and Hull with a live video-link when Richard Smith will give an inaugural lecture to staff, students and all who have been involved with the development of the new medical school at 11.30am. This will be similar to the video conferencing facilities that are to be used to share learning and daily life between the two HYMS communities. A key component of the HYMS curriculum will be the use of electronic learning with students being able to use desktop services in any location via a web browser.
Dean of HYMS, Professor Bill Gillespie said: "HYMS will be providing a world-class opportunity to study an exciting and forward-thinking curriculum. Many things will be done for the first time over the next five years, but the input of the very first students will be invaluable in getting the details right"
Notes to editors:
- The total intake of HYMS students for both the Hull and York sites will be 137.
- HYMS staff are employed either by the University of Hull or the University of York.
- The Building covers 1800m2 over three floors (including ground floor)
- Timetable - formal opening of HYMS building 9.30am 22 September.
- Launch of HYMS in Hull and York at 11.30am. Please contact Nicola Coates if you wish to attend.
- Materials used for the new HYMS building include terracotta clay modular blocks and insulated metal cladding. The block's are to be stack-bonded.
- The building's interior has stud partitioning - suspended ceilings with a lay-in grid.
- A picture of the new building is available from the York Press Office.