Crofton, the consulting engineer, has completed the refurbishment of the 14-bed Wolfson Ward, which caters for patients living with Huntington’s disease at the Royal Hospital for Neuro-Disability in London’s Putney. The £400,000 contract saw the company provide both M&E and structural solutions to refurbish the main occupational therapy room and common areas, enabling better care for the ward’s live-in residents. The architects were IBI Nightingale Associates.
Delivering dynamic LED lighting was a key objective, allowing residents to have visual stimulation and control over their environment. Internal remodelling of space also saw Crofton install the necessary M&E services for assisted living kitchens with adjustable height worktops, allowing residents to learn and build confidence in undertaking daily activities.
There was also was a significant requirement for extra wheelchair storage space – created by Crofton undertaking the structural and M&E design to reconfigure an under-utilised bathroom. Crofton also provided the M&E and structural design for a new garden room that enables residents to undertake gardening all year round, which the hospital says it ‘knows from its research’ is ‘so beneficial for people living with Huntington’s disease’.
Shaun Barkshire, associate director at Crofton in charge of the project, said: “The end-use of this building meant the project had very specific requirements – emphasis was placed on creating a generally calm but functional environment for residents, and we undertook detailed consultation with the client prior to construction to refine our designs.”
Emma Gale, manager, Specialist Services, at the Royal Hospital for Neuro-disability, added: “Moving back into Wolfson has been such a positive experience, not only for the residents, but also for their families and our staff. The new design has helped make it more homely, while the architect’s clever use of colour and new features have given us two clearly defined living spaces; one a quiet relaxing area, the other a bright area for activities and mealtime socialising.”
Crofton previously worked on the Jack Emerson Ward at the hospital in 2012 as part of a £750,000 contract. It provided M&E services design for the refurbishment of part of the ground floor, enabling the installation of a specialist ventilator unit for patients with brain injury or neurological disease.
Founded in 1854, The Royal Hospital for Neuro-disability is the oldest independent hospital and medical charity in the UK.
