Originally built in 1979 as a Mercure Hotel, Lexham Gardens has been transformed into an outpatient facility, with Radiology and Therapies departments, for Cromwell Hospital.   

This ambitious retrofit project has achieved BREEAM Excellent certification, showcasing how sustainability, innovation, and healthcare excellence can converge even within the constraints of an aging building. 

What does ‘BREEAM excellent’ mean for Lexham Gardens?  

We chose BREEAM accreditation for the Lexham Gardens project as it sets new standards in design for reuse of existing buildings.  

BREEAM – which stands for Building Research Establishment Environmental Assessment Method – is an internationally recognised standard of sustainability, quality, and value that can be applied across the entire building lifecycle, to all assets, anywhere in the world. It assesses performance across areas like energy, water, health, materials, waste, and ecology. 

A BREEAM Excellent rating means that our building scores 70% or above in the assessment framework, showing it performs exceptionally well in sustainability, efficiency, and occupant wellbeing. 

Bupa-led design and construction strategy: Recycle, reuse, repurpose 

The project was guided by three core principles: recycle, reuse, and repurpose. Rather than demolish and rebuild, the team chose to retain the existing structure, preserving embodied carbon and reducing environmental impact.  

Materials were recycled wherever possible, including concrete, steel, and internal finishes from the original strip out and through the build programme.  

Structural elements were reused, with minimal intervention to the building’s frame and spaces were repurposed to meet clinical requirements, balancing functionality with sustainability.  

This approach not only reduced waste but also demonstrated how legacy buildings can be adapted to meet modern healthcare standards. 

Challenges faced during retrofit 

Retrofitting a 1970s hotel into a high-performance medical facility came with significant challenges: 

  • Structural limitations: The original building was not designed for clinical use, requiring creative engineering solutions to accommodate medical infrastructure, such as imaging suites and specialist ventilation. 
  • Compliance upgrades: Meeting modern fire safety, accessibility, and infection control standards within an old shell demanded meticulous planning and coordination. 
  • Energy performance: Achieving BREEAM Excellent accreditation meant overcoming thermal inefficiencies inherent in older buildings, which required advanced insulation strategies and smart building systems. 
  • Logistics and disruption: Working within a dense urban environment with limited access and neighbouring properties added complexity to construction sequencing and deliveries. 
  • Ground water conditions: Requiring additional piling as the lift core was redesigned to meet clinical bed requirements from its original 3 Pax passengers lifts designed for the hotel. 
  • Compromised existing structural areas, which required redesign and rebuild.  
  • Changes in legislation.  

Despite these hurdles, the project team remained committed to sustainability and quality, proving that retrofit can rival new-build performance when executed with care and expertise. 

A British supply chain commitment 

Bupa’s commitment to a British supply chain was central to the project. From locally sourced materials to UK-based contractors and consultants, the expansion was built with regional resilience in mind. This not only reduced carbon emissions from transport but also supported local economies and fostered long-term partnerships. 

Diversity, inclusion, and purpose 

At Bupa, sustainability is more than environmental – it’s social. Bupa embedded its values of diversity and inclusion throughout the project. The clinic was designed to be fully accessible, with features that support neurodiverse patients, mobility needs, and inclusive staff facilities. Diverse teams contributed to every stage, reflecting Bupa’s belief that better outcomes come from broader perspectives. 

Operating with BREEAM excellence 

The building will operate with: 

  • smart energy monitoring to optimise performance 
  • efficient HVAC and lighting systems to reduce consumption 
  • water-saving fixtures and low-emission materials to protect health and environment 
  • green transport infrastructure, including cycle storage 

These features ensure that sustainability continues beyond construction and into daily operations ongoing. 

A market demonstration of what’s possible 

Lexham Gardens is more than an expansion, it’s a statement. By choosing to retrofit over rebuild, Bupa has shown that sustainable transformation of old buildings is not only possible, but powerful.  

This project sets a precedent for the healthcare sector and beyond, encouraging others to rethink how we use existing assets in the race to net zero.