As part of a larger masterplan for St Pancras Hospital London, Moorfields Eye Hospital NHS Foundation Trust (London), UCL Eye Institute (London) and Moorfields Eye Charity (London) are planning a new of eye care centers, researchers and educators. The centre will bring together therapy, research and education in an adaptive and sustainable building in London’s King’s Cross and St Pancras Science and Innovation Knowledge Precinct.

led by AECOM (London), the team includes Penois and Prasad (London), perkins and will (London), and white architect (London and Stockholm).

The program is versatile and designed to accommodate changing needs in eye care and treatment.

The building’s interiors and landscaping are Scandinavian in style, with an emphasis on the use of natural light and materials to stimulate and promote health and well-being, including an atrium with softly curved ash wood balustrades. At the heart of the development is the Grand Atrium, a welcoming arrival space that serves as the main public meeting and circulation area for clinicians and patients, researchers and students, and support staff and visitors.

The focal point of the atrium is a sculptural timber volume that extends from the ground to six storeys high, serving as an elevator enclosure while creating a dramatic touchpoint for wayfinding.

Careful consideration was given to lighting concepts, colour schemes, wayfinding and surface materials for public spaces in and around the building to enhance navigability and create a seamless user journey.

Project details:

Facility Name: Oriel

Location: London

Expected Completion Date: 2026

Owners: Moorfields Eye Hospital NHS Foundation Trust, UCL Institute of Ophthalmology and Moorfields Eye Charity

Gross Floor Area: 425,174 sq. ft.

Total Construction Cost: Confidential

Cost/sq.ft.: N/A

Chief Architect: Penoyre & Prasad

Interior Architect: White Arkitekter

Public Domain and Landscape Architects: White Arkitekter

Project Manager: AECOM

General Contractor: Not applicable

Engineering: Not applicable

Builder: Not applicable