A world-class research centre designed to accelerate innovation in children’s health at the gateway to Sheffield Olympic Legacy Park.
Client Henry Boot Construction
Project Role Design
Scale 43,986 sq.ft
Status On site
Set at the entrance to Sheffield Olympic Legacy Park, the National Centre for Child Health Technology (NCCHT) is positioned as a landmark within a masterplan we have helped shape over several years with Scarborough Group International.
Sheffield Olympic Legacy Park Masterplan
Part-funded by the Government’s Levelling Up initiative and led in partnership with Sheffield Children’s Hospital, the ambition is bold: to create the world’s leading research centre dedicated to children’s health. A place where children, clinicians, researchers, engineers and inventors work side by side to design, test and manufacture life-changing therapies.
The brief called for more than a highly technical research facility. It needed to support complex clinical functions, advanced simulation environments and specialist laboratories, while remaining welcoming, accessible and inspiring for young people and their families. As a gateway building, it also had to anchor the wider park — architecturally confident, contextually grounded and future-focused.
Concept renders of the NCCHT, part of the Sheffield Olympic Legacy Park
Sketch of the NCCHT in context
Designed for Innovation and Inclusion
Building on our role in shaping the Olympic Legacy Park masterplan — including the Community Stadium — we designed the NCCHT to strengthen the park’s identity while establishing its own distinct presence. We are now appointed and working collaboratively with HLM Architects to deliver the scheme.
A robust red brick base references Sheffield’s material heritage and gives the building civic weight. Above, colourful cladding elements introduce warmth and approachability — reflecting that this is a place for children as much as clinicians.
Internally, flexibility underpins the layout. Simulation suites, labs, consultation rooms, manufacturing spaces and exhibition areas are integrated to encourage collaboration and cross-disciplinary innovation. Clear, generous circulation supports intuitive wayfinding and informal interaction.
Sustainability is embedded throughout. Designed to achieve BREEAM Excellent and net-zero carbon in operation, the building combines a high-performance envelope, photovoltaics and air source heat pumps — delivering an anticipated 80%+ improvement on NHS energy benchmarks while futureproofing long-term performance.
Internally, flexibility is key. Exhibition areas, manufacturing zones, consultation rooms, a simulation centre, mock ward, gait analysis labs and rentable research spaces are carefully integrated to encourage collaboration and cross-disciplinary innovation. Circulation spaces are generous and legible, supporting intuitive wayfinding and informal interaction.
Sustainability is embedded from the outset. We designed the building to achieve BREEAM Excellent and net-zero carbon in operation, incorporating a high-performance thermal envelope, photovoltaic panels and air source heat pumps. The result is an anticipated 80%+ improvement on NHS energy benchmarks — reducing operational impact while futureproofing long-term performance.
Throughout the process, we engaged closely with Sheffield City Council and multiple hospital departments to ensure the building meets both clinical rigour and human need.
A New Benchmark for Children’s Health Infrastructure
The NCCHT will be more than a research building. It will be a collaborative ecosystem — accelerating the development of new technologies and therapies that improve children’s lives across the UK and beyond.
As the gateway to Sheffield Olympic Legacy Park, it reinforces the park’s identity as a centre for health, wellbeing and innovation. Architecturally confident yet welcoming, it demonstrates how specialist healthcare environments can balance technical excellence with human warmth.
By combining progressive design, collaborative process and measurable environmental performance, the NCCHT sets a new benchmark for children’s health infrastructure — advancing research, strengthening partnerships and delivering long-term social value for Sheffield and the communities it serves.
Collaborators
Contractor
Henry Boot Construction
Interior Designer
HLM Architects
