The Cicely Saunders Institute is the world’s first Institute of Palliative Care bringing together academics, healthcare professionals, community organisations, patients and carers in one centre. The design was developed in consultation with Macmillan Cancer Support as well as potential users and local patient groups and focused on creating an intimate and welcoming environment for patients, their families and carers. A BREEAM ‘Excellent’ rating was achieved by incorporating ground source heat pumps with passive heating and cooling systems, thermal mass, solar thermal, landscaping and natural ventilation. Daylight and solar gain are controlled by the south-west facing brise soleil.