Princess Royal University Hospital (BIM)

Project Overview

As part of the ongoing investment in improving healthcare capacity across South London, a new two-storey, 2,400m² Endoscopy Unit, with enhanced patient-focused layouts improving comfort and experience is being delivered at Princess Royal University Hospital (PRUH). The building is designed to transform patient care by increasing the hospital’s diagnostic and treatment capacity, supporting the ambition to help 4,500 additional cancer patients be seen and treated each year.

The new facility accommodates:

• Modern consultation, treatment and recovery rooms
• A sterile services unit
• Staff rest areas, offices and training spaces

Constructed using a reinforced concrete (RC) frame supported on piled foundations, the development also includes the installation of a new 1500kVA substation, strengthening the hospital’s energy resilience and futureproofing its electrical infrastructure.

Perega joined the project team at RIBA Stage 4, providing civil and structural engineering consultancy with a focus on value engineering and programme acceleration. Leveraging digital tools and automation, Perega optimised the structural design and information management process, enabling rapid delivery while maintaining accuracy and coordination across disciplines.

Engineering Challenges and Solutions

The Endoscopy building is situated within a busy, live hospital environment where maintaining safety, access and continuity of service was paramount. The site constraints and design challenges (limited working space, split-level reinforced concrete frame, and extensive piling requirements) demanded a carefully coordinated structural solution. The piled foundation design involved high levels of precision for load distribution, setting out and coordination with underground services.

Manually positioning, levelling and adding load data to piles would have been a long and arduous process. We addressed this challenge through the innovative use of digital engineering automation routines, significantly reducing time, improving accuracy and streamlining delivery.

BIM and Digital Engineering Approach

The project was developed within a BIM environment, following structured information management principles aligned with ISO 19650. Perega utilised Revit as the core modelling platform, enhanced using Dynamo scripts to automate repetitive tasks and ensure accurate data management.

Automated Pile Management Workflow

To complete the extensive foundation design, piles were modelled individually or nested in families. They were positioned throughout site as required for the building structure, and to cover tower crane requirements. Using several automated routines within Dynamo a number was applied to each of the piles in a sequential fashion, with loading data fields added and information exported to an excel sheet. This sheet was then populated with all the loads and re-imported into Revit.

The result is a completed piling drawing with all loads and setting out information including cut off levels. The reduction in time to when automating a process is hours to minutes, but more importantly it reduces possible human error and double handling of information.

Collaboration and Information Management

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 dWorking alongside the wider design and delivery teams, Perega ensured all models were developed and exchanged in accordance with the project BIM Execution Plan (BEP). The federated model environment provided a single source of truth, enabling the coordination of structural, architectural and MEP elements before construction began.

This proactive digital approach enhanced visibility and communication between project partners, allowing design queries, spatial clashes and foundation interdependencies to be resolved virtually, significantly improving design quality and reducing the risk of on-site rework.

Furthermore, by maintaining accurate digital records of all piling and foundation data, the Product Information Management (PIM) model provided a reliable basis for construction sequencing, quality assurance, and future asset management by the NHS Trust.

Value and Impact

Through the intelligent application of BIM and digital engineering, Perega delivered a faster, more efficient and highly coordinated design for the Endoscopy Building. The automation of piling data workflows alone delivered substantial programme savings, allowing the team to accelerate delivery without compromising accuracy or quality.

Outcomes and Legacy

The new Endoscopy Building at Princess Royal University Hospital will provide a state-of-the-art facility supporting faster diagnostics, improved patient experience, and expanded clinical capacity for the community. Perega’s use of automation within a PIM demonstrates how digital engineering can drive tangible value – saving time, reducing risk, and enabling smarter, data-led delivery.

This project reinforces Perega’s reputation as a forward-thinking engineering consultant, capable of integrating innovation, collaboration and precision into the heart of complex healthcare developments.

Key Achievements:

• BIM and information management delivered in accordance with ISO 19650
• Custom Dynamo scripts for automated pile numbering, load data and model synchronisation
• Time reduction from hours to minutes for data management tasks
• Fully coordinated RC frame and piling layout within constrained hospital site
• Value-engineered structural design supporting accelerated programme
• Enhanced digital data for ongoing facility and asset management