Following appointment as preferred developer in March 2006, Apollo Capital Projects has completed the new Clydach Primary Care Centre which was opened to the public on 6 April 2009. 

Clydach was the first to go through the Design for Life process involving the Design Commission for Wales, AEDET and NEAT assessments.  The new building is circa 1,700 sqm and accommodates Dr Hammond & Partners, serving around 11,000 patients.  The new facility will also house NHS Podiatry, District Nurse, Health Visitor and Midwifery Services along with Phlebotomy and Chronic Disease Management.

The contemporary design of the building, by architects B3 Burgess and DGA, includes a full height light well over the main waiting area with glass roof and courtyard in the main consulting corridor which pushes natural light to all areas.  The interior design by DGA and Apollo is subtle with a mix of rustic colours in the carpet, interjected with colour feature walls in shades of green.  This is complemented by the tree within the main light well which softens the environment and also brings natural shading in the area.

The building is intended to be simple to use for the patients and staff.  Once in the building, patients are directed to either the Courtyard or Gallery Wing.  When they arrive, perpendicular signs project into the corridor allowing easy access to consulting, treatment or minor operation rooms.

Apollo has once again invested in Public Art within the new facility.  Firstly we commissioned Rupert Scott Glass, with lead designer Steve Robertson, to design and make five bespoke glass panels with abstract colours representing Clydach and the new facility.  The glass was inserted into a purpose made wall with flat back lights providing soft lighting to this coloured and textured piece of art.  Secondly, Apollo funded two local schools to produce artwork for the new Centre.  Ysgol Gellionnen provided a group collage of buildings and features of Clydach, while Clydach Primary School provided a series of ceramic tiles produced by the children which were set onto a board and presented as a complete piece.  Both these pieces are now exhibited within the Gallery Wing for the patients, staff and visitors to enjoy.  In addition, Apollo ran a competition with the six winners having their A3 sketches of Clydach themes displayed in the children's corner.

The building has been well received by the Doctors and staff at the new Centre with positive comments by patients also.  Steve Knott, the Monitoring Surveyor for the Doctors commented:

"I have monitored a number of new Primary Care Centres over the last few years in South Wales and I will say that this is by far the best."

Apollo has just commenced a new scheme in Rhyl in North Wales and also has projects on site in Heckmondwike and Ripponden in Yorkshire.

Further information and a Case Study on Clydach will be provided within the next few weeks.