A radical approach to sight-related medicine, Oriel aims to drive innovation, promote inter-disciplinary collaboration to speed up the translation of research into treatment to improve people’s sight.

Oriel is a joint initiative between Moorfields Eye Hospital, UCL Institute of Ophthalmology and Moorfields Eye Charity, bringing together world-leading eye care, research and education under one roof. A radical approach to the integration of sight related care, research and education, the project’s aims include driving innovation and speeding up the translation of research findings into treatment. The vision is to create an environment for innovation to flourish, inspiring improvements in people’s sight.

Moorfields Eye Hospital (MEH) and the Institute of Ophthalmology (IOO) of University College London (UCL) have been co-located at Old Street for two decades. This proximity of two world leading sets of practitioners, coupled with advances in digital and genetic technologies, has produced previously unimaginable advances in the treatment of eye conditions. At Oriel, they will not only be co-located but truly integrated, being free of the constraints of the current sub-standard and disaggregated facilities.

At the heart of the project is the belief that ‘People’s Sight Matters’ and Oriel puts people at the heart of the vision. The new building will be a place where people’s eye health is improved through the incubation and application of new knowledge and genuine engagement and participation of patients in the research.

Oriel will be at the centre of Moorfields’ delivery of services across the region. It is well connected, both for London and the rest of the UK, making it a more accessible national centre for eye care. As an innovation hub at the centre of a network of over 30 sites, its breakthroughs and improvements in clinical services will radiate out to the peripheral services across London, the southeast and beyond.

Rafael Marks, Principal, Penoyre & Prasad:

“Oriel is designed to be a welcoming place for all. The atrium at the heart of the building invites people in and forms a public living room for the city, comprising public facing activities such as art exhibitions, displays showcasing the work in the building, education facilities, café and other public facing activities. It is here that the main patient-support services are located.

This atrium brings daylight deep into the building and enables easy wayfinding and orientation. The oriel – a mini-tower – rises up through the middle of the atrium contains all the public vertical circulation accessing all departments. From here, bridges cross into the embracing wings containing the main clinical and research departments. Main clinic waiting spaces are ranged around the atrium, reinforcing this sense of connectedness. Wayfinding is clear and straightforward, providing a safe and supportive route from entrance to clinic.

The interior of the atrium and the building more widely is inspired by the Moorfields motto – fiat lux, let there be light. Natural materials, daylight and good artificial light, good acoustics and interior planting all contribute to the health and wellbeing of the building’s users. The design breaks down barriers between staff, patients and visitors to create a calm and compassionate environment.

Oriel also provides wider social and economic benefits. The creation of this world-leading eye-care centre in Camden will attract the most talented clinicians, researchers and educators from around the world while inspiring a new generation into the field. An active outreach programme will provide opportunities for local people through jobs creation, skills training and education programmes. The high-quality public realm will provide greater access around the site while the increase in activity will reduce crime and anti-social behaviour.”