The Hub on Rye Hill

Location: Rye

Client: Rye Winchelsea and District Memorial Hospital Limited

Value: £1.5m

Rye Day Care Centre, known as Rye ‘Hub on the Hill’ was built on behalf of our client, registered charity Rye Winchelsea and District Memorial Hospital Limited, with the firm objective to bring all key elements of day services and carer relief to its overall strategy for integrated care.

Regenerating the site of a former ambulance station adjacent to Rye Memorial Hospital and fronting the main Peasmarsh Road, the new day care facilities greatly enhance healthcare provision for the wider region.

Designed by local architectural practice Dunn Architects, the centre offers modern, functional and flexible space for out-of-hospital care that can readily adapt to the changing and ever-evolving needs of its users and the staff managing the facility. The centre is orientated to engage with the external decorative garden and courtyard areas through high use of glazed screens which also maximises natural daylight into the centre.

The building is uniquely zoned into four areas accommodating all the key elements of day care services to form a ‘health hub’ for the local community including space for socialising, activity and therapy as well as vital administrative accommodation. The welcoming, double height reception area doubles up as a café facility and area for physical activity. Externally, parking for 20 cars is provided, screened from the main road by careful hedgerow planting and access to the site has been reconfigured and upgraded. Carefully selected materials create visual interest and a contemporary feel whilst keeping the new building harmonious to its setting.

The centre is designed and built to be highly sustainable in its operation, delivered to an exceptionally high-quality and designed for energy efficiency achieving a BREEAM rating of ‘Excellent’ through careful use of sustainable technologies (inc. a GSHP) and locally sourced materials.

Completed in the Summer of 2020 the building was challenged by the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic and the Jenner team received high praise from our client for the ongoing safe delivery of the new building in the face of such adverse working conditions and for the added value given to the project. Their efforts were kindly recognised with a commemorative project keepsake.