The green credentials and cutting-edge design of Sudbury’s new £10million health centre have been singled out for praise, with one respected local artist describing the building as a “truly flagship piece of modern architectural design”.

As the public were given a first glimpse of the inside of the facility at an open day on Saturday, first impressions were mostly favourable.

Robin Drury, a respected local artist and designer who has worked on several projects in the town, praised everything from the building’s sweeping curved structure to the energy-efficient heat exchangers and planted roofscapes. He said: “For the NHS to depart from its standard blue/grey steel and glass carton design and allow both the architects and local influence to govern the end result deserves much praise.

“Just for once Sudbury has come by a truly flagship piece of modern architectural design.

“This is a building that lifts the spirits and must go a long way to helping the medics set their patients on the road to recovery.”

Ed Garratt, chief operating officer at NHS West Suffolk Clinical Commissioning Group, said the centre had been created with the health of patients and the environment in mind.

He added: “Although many people won’t physically see many of the green aspects of the building, patients and staff can benefit from the CCG’s commitment to being as environmentally friendly as possible.

“The Sudbury Community Health Centre is a landmark building in the area, providing vital healthcare services.

“Everyone involved in the project was determined to make every aspect of the building the very best it could be. I believe we have achieved that.”