Aiming high but keeping costs low

Amid predicted cuts in public expenditure, healthcare organisations may face tough challenges in meeting NHS targets set for improving the energy efficiency and condition of existing hospital estates. However careful specification of modern materials can help to ensure that architectural aspirations and performance imperatives are still achieved, even if the original budgets are downsized. Whether for new build or renovation programmes, modern materials can provide cost-effective alternatives to natural or traditional finishes. Far from being a second-rate choice, such materials often deliver enhanced performance benefits while retaining the desired aesthetic. For a rapid way to transform the look of hospital buildings, decorative rainscreen cladding can be used to stunning effect. Several decades of research and development have resulted in many new design possibilities, with a huge range of colours, finishes, and textures, now offering a wide scope for project teams, including the potential to replicate the appearance of natural materials.

Landmark design in Peterborough

For example, at the new City Care Centre in Peterborough, which opened last year (HEJ – September 2009), the Cambridgeshire and Peterborough NHS Foundation Trust (CPFT) aimed to create a building that would become a landmark feature for Peterborough, and a reflection of the Trust’s aspirations to provide the best healthcare facilities for the community. The 9,000 m2 centre was constructed by Brookfield Construction, which is developing three sites for the NHS Trust. Built on the Peterborough District Hospital site in the city centre, the City Care Centre (CCC) is designed to concentrate together a number of healthcare facilities currently located around the Peterborough hospital sites. Designed by Nightingale Associates and Tribal Healthcare planners, the building features sweeping rendered curved blocks with accentuating timber pressurised laminate panels, coloured rendered panels, and overhanging roofs. It was finished with a combination of curved render and rainscreen panels by CEP Claddings to complement its glazed façade, while inside CEP Ceilings provided 9,000 m2 of ceiling tiles to the critical care unit, which were installed by Astins of Crawley. The decorative rainscreen cladding system chosen for the CCC building comprised 6 mm Bauclad Max panels in “Sun Pear” shade, which were then woodgrain Sika site-bonded to an aluminium support frame. Bauclad MAX is a high performance, low maintenance product ideal for public building projects. A high pressure laminate, it is weather and vandal-resistant, so is extremely resilient, durable, and easy to clean. For optimum board selection and minimum wastage the panels are available in five sizes.