Fitted-furniture fabricator Medspace was commissioned by IHP to design and install workstations and a reception desk at Eastbourne Hospital’s new Elective Care Hub.
For the project team, led by head designer Carl Lindsey, working closely with architects Gilling Dod, the pieces had to be structurally robust and meet the stringent requirements and regulations associated with modern healthcare facilities.
All finishes specified needed to be impact-resistant and easy-to-clean, maintaining strict hygiene standards.
The company explained that this meant careful consideration when it came to choosing surfaces, so they approached long-time timber, panels & décors distribution partner James Latham for advice. While a variety of options were considered, they were quickly drawn to one in particular - HIMACS.
Carl Lindsey explained: “HIMACS is one of the most innovative solid surfaces available and what immediately impresses is how easy it is to work with, saving a massive amount of time during fabrication and installation. This is critical when everyone’s under immense pressure to get a medical facility operational as soon as possible. That’s not all, its ability to be seamlessly joined is another significant advantage, enabling the creation of expansive work surfaces. It’s an essential requirement in a setting like this, as it helps reduce the growth of germs and bacteria, which can accumulate in any exposed gaps between sheets. These hygienic properties are further enhanced by its high-resistance to scratching, denting, and moisture, making it able to withstand regular physical contact without the superficial or integral performance being affected. Simply, it answered the brief on so many levels.”
Gilling Dod Architects and Medspace specified HIMACS solid surface for the project, citing its combination of durability, hygiene, and design flexibility. While the material’s high performance and finish made it suitable for healthcare environments, its adaptability also supported the design team’s aesthetic objectives.
The material’s structural properties allowed for a high degree of form freedom, enabling features such as curved surfaces and bespoke detailing.
In the reception area, for example, Medspace designed a two-tone desk combining HIMACS Arctic Granite and HIMACS Suede, creating a distinctive focal point that balances visual interest with functionality.
Elsewhere, two-tier workstations were developed to maximise available space while maintaining easy-to-clean surfaces – an important factor in ensuring infection prevention and long-term resilience in high-use areas.
According to the design team, the aim was to move away from the typically plain appearance of healthcare reception spaces, instead creating an environment that feels calm and welcoming for both patients and staff.
