Luton and Dunstable Hospital (BIM)

Project Overview

As part of the sitewide redevelopment of Luton and Dunstable Hospital, Perega was appointed to provide civil and structural engineering consultancy for the design of a series of complex projects across the site. The key component of this transformation was the creation of a new five-storey Acute Services and Ward building, forming the centrepiece of the hospital’s modernised clinical facilities.

The building accommodates:

• Eight new operating theatres, including two hybrid theatres capable of interventional and specialist procedures
• Expanded maternity facilities, comprising antenatal and postnatal wards and delivery suites
• A Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) with intensive, high dependency and special care wards, along with family accommodation
• A 22-bed critical care unit offering modern, technology-enabled care environments

Other projects Perega supported on included the extension and remodelling of the Emergency Department (ED), a multi-storey car park, new energy centre, and a range of enabling, refurbishment and infrastructure works – such as new service tunnels, buried service diversions, and the reconfiguration of existing departments.

Throughout each phase, Perega’s collaborative and solutions-focused approach ensured that clinical, logistical and technical challenges were addressed seamlessly – an approach that has underpinned the ongoing relationship with Bedfordshire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust.

A Digital-First Approach to Design

At the heart of this redevelopment lies a commitment to digital engineering and Building Information Modelling (BIM) as enablers of smarter, more efficient and resilient design delivery.

From the outset, BIM was used not just as a coordination tool, but as a data-driven environment to support decision-making, manage design evolution, and integrate structural, architectural and MEP disciplines within a federated model. Perega’s BIM team worked closely with the wider project stakeholders – architects, MEP consultants, contractors and the Trust’s estates team, to establish clear information management protocols aligned with ISO 19650 standards.

This ensured that all project data, from 3D models to asset information, was structured, validated and transferable for future operational use by the NHS Trust.

Automation and Innovation in Structural Modelling

The acute services block’s traditional reinforced concrete frame underwent several design refinements as the scheme developed. During the construction stage, the contractor made the decision to replace all in-situ columns between ground and first floor with precast concrete columns.

Ordinarily, implementing such a change across multiple column types, each with different sizes, loads and reinforcement requirements, would have required extensive manual rework, introducing the risk of human error and schedule delays.

To address this, our digital engineering team utilised two bespoke scripts within Dynamo which streamlined the entire process:

1. Column Identification and Data Extraction – The first script filtered all concrete columns and assigned each a unique identifier by level, before exporting this data to an Excel file.
2. Automated Model Updating – The second script read the updated Excel data, applied load and reinforcement information, and automatically converted selected RC columns to “Precast” elements.

This process dramatically reduced the manual effort and coordination time required to implement design changes, while eliminating data duplication and human error.

The time savings achieved through automation were significant – what would typically have taken several days of manual work was completed in a matter of hours. Moreover, this level of precision and repeatability ensured that the digital model remained an accurate and reliable source of truth throughout the project lifecycle.

Enhancing Collaboration and Information Management

The design team’s adoption of BIM fostered an open, collaborative design culture across all project disciplines. Regular design workshops were held using federated models, allowing issues to be identified and resolved quickly. IFC files were exported for clash detection and other model validation routines were embedded into the design process, ensuring design integrity and regulatory compliance.

Clear information management protocols governed all aspects of model development, revision control, and issue tracking. The digital model served as a live record of design decisions, providing transparency and traceability for all stakeholders, from early-stage coordination through to construction and handover.

This structured approach to BIM not only enhanced project efficiency and quality but also laid the foundation for the Trust’s future asset information management and digital estate strategy.

Outcomes and Legacy

Through the application of advanced BIM and automation techniques, Perega was able to deliver a highly coordinated and data-rich design. The integration of digital tools improved communication, accelerated workflows, and supported informed decision-making across the design and delivery teams.

The success of the Acute Services and Ward Block, and subsequent projects at Luton and Dunstable Hospital, is a testament to Perega’s collaborative culture, digital innovation and problem-solving mindset. By combining engineering expertise with cutting-edge digital methodologies, the team helped the Trust realise its vision of a modern, adaptable and efficient healthcare environment.

Key Achievements:

• BIM and information management delivered in accordance with ISO 19650
• Custom Dynamo scripting for automated precast column updates
• Significant reduction in design coordination time and manual data handling
• Seamless multi-disciplinary collaboration through federated model environments
• Improved accuracy, consistency and traceability of design data
• Enhanced digital asset deliverables to support the NHS Trust’s long-term estate management