A new PVDF insulated aluminium rainscreen with integral high-performance composite windows, together with a freestanding structure, have created a ‘garden’ in front of the building to successfully transform the Queen’s Façade on Upper Maudlin Street Bristol at Bristol Royal Infirmary which, from the architect’s perspective, creates ‘interstitial public spaces that suggest a new relationship between the hospital and its urban context’.
University Hospitals Bristol NHS Foundation Trust recognised that the external appearance of the Queens Building’s façade looked dated, and ‘did not reflect our reputation for excellence in clinical services’. The Queen’s Building had been subject to ongoing internal refurbishment and upgrade, but with the original façade retained. Over time, the concrete elements had deteriorated. Andy Headdon, the Trust’s strategic development programme director, said of the existing building: “At the moment, the concrete has some problems. We are tidying it up and making sure it is safe. The new system will protect the structure underneath so that it will not deteriorate, minimise heating costs, and afford better natural ventilation.”
To address the external appearance issues, the Trust held an international design competition managed by arts and health consultancy, Willis Newson. The winning design was ‘Veil’, by Spanish architects Nieto Sobejano Architectos, who subsequently worked closely on design development with CODA Architects, the local practice responsible for redevelopment projects on the BRI precinct. Design and build overcladding specialists, d+b facades, undertook the detailed design and installation of the new overcladding to meet the architect’s aesthetic intent and the project’s technical requirements.
d+b facades said: “The project was technically challenging. Non-uniformity of the existing façade precluded modular design, instead requiring bespoke solutions installed floor-by-floor while the building was fully occupied.” The 500 composite windows required extensive design development, research, samples, and mock-ups, to meet the project’s cost, appearance, and functional aspirations, ensuring that the white façade appear to have no distinguishable windows. A proprietary two-way film was applied to the existing windows to preserve the consistent external appearance and minimise opacity when viewed from inside. Replacement windows were installed from the outside, before removing the existing windows to protect and minimise disruption to occupants.
d+b facades added: “The Queen’s Building now has a striking new energyefficient façade, designed to surpass current building standards, protect the original building’s fabric, and extend the life of the building for generations to come. The procurement and delivery process adopted for this very challenging project serves as an exemplar to the industry, and all credit to the BRI team.” The ward sister at the BRI added: “The building’s users are now in a far better place; many thanks, the windows have made so much difference to the ward and the general wellbeing of staff and patients.”
