The £15m development includes construction of two internal courtyarded facilities. In combination they provide space for the treatment of mental health of children and young adults (5 – 20 years old). The site bring together, for the first time, CAMHS, Psychology, Paediatric Neuro-Assessment and Orthotic departments along with a Dewi Jones residential car building..

The original design, chosen through an RIBA competition, was develop by Cullinan Studio, which was chosen for its successful combination of addressing the clinical needs while providing privacy of patients in a non-institutional environment. 10 Architect carried the design forward into the construction phase with Galliford Try, who had been appointed under the Procure Partnership Framework.

Cullinan Studio’s concept design was based on a large body of evidence that’s show that a connection to nature measurably improves wellbeing and concentration, reduces stress levels, aggression and heart rate. It is why health and wellbeing aspirations formed a key part of the building’s design and choice of materials at Alder Hey. Internally the building is a timber frame, with the external elevations clad in a weathering steel. Both materials chosen for their warmth and connection to the natural environment creating a calming environment for both patients and staff alike.

Proteus supplied a secret fix hook on Proteus SR system with a 2mm corten weathering steel material. Originally provided in its natural state, the corten material will oxidse over time developing a self protecting layer that requires no regular attention or maintenance with a rich earthy red brown tone providing a complimentary back drop for the lush green planting in the surrounding landscaped areas.  The entire external façade of the two courtyard developments, including angular bay windows, are clad in the Proteus SR Corten. The well-thought-through design for the bay windows balances connection and privacy by orienteering them towards the park area. While the engineering of the corten, accounting for material loss do to the weathering process, removed the need for additional mid span support rails, reducing the environmental impact of the project.

The design of the bay windows, radiused curved building ends and the intricate feature trim profiles between wall and roof where developing in conjunction with the installation partner on the scheme, Longworth Building Services Ltd. Due to the radius of the building ends and profile of the feature trims, these elements involved developing the elements in multi parts and then welding together in pre formed jigs to allow the manufacturing accuracy required for the geometry involved.

Proteus SR is a secret fix hook rainscreen system that is available in a multitude of materials and finishes, including aluminium and stainless steel. It is tested to EN13501, achieving A1 or A2 fire rating subject to metal finish, and fully recyclable at the end of building life.

The versatility of the Proteus SR rainscreen system allows the material thickness to be specified from 1.5 mm up to 5.0 mm. At Alder Hey, a 2 mm Corten material was specified. The Proteus SR panels can be arranged vertically, horizontally or a combination of both orientations. A vertical orientation was chosen for the new Catkin Centre and Sunflower House because it accentuated the skyward nature of the natural landscape.

Designed by BDP Architects, the hospital, which opened four months ahead of schedule in November 2020, was built as part of the Aneurin Bevan University Health Board’s Clinical Futures Strategy and houses the region’s accident and emergency and intensive care facilities.

Developed by main contractor Laing O’Rourke using an extensive adoption of off-site construction, the £350m specialist and critical care centre includes purpose-built facilities for critically ill patients who require the most urgent treatment and care pathways.

As well as utilising offsite construction to deliver shorter build schedules and more environmentally friendly methods of construction, Laing O’Rourke and BDP’s design team used BIM from the outset of the development to maximise the use of digital technology through the supply chain.

Utilising the company’s own Level 2 BIM models and working closely with the designers to ensure strict timescales were met, Proteus Facades manufactured bespoke Proteus HR rainscreen panels and fins with a TECU Iron Two finish for the hospital entrance and restaurant exterior. Installed by Cladanco, the copper cladding is fixed off a Eurobond Rockfibre Rainspan composite panel.

TECU Iron Two has a striking reddish-brown copper surface finish that portrays a weathered steel aesthetic, but with all the longevity and formability of copper. The colours of the natural material blend gradually over time to create the beautiful, aged copper-look. Made from 100% recycled copper, Proteus TECU Iron Two is a sustainable choice.

Proteus HR was specified because the system is lightweight, strong and versatile whilst offering high aesthetic appeal. The integrated modular rainscreen panels also feature an aluminium honeycomb core, structurally bonded between two thin gauges of lightweight metal skin, to create an optically flat panel.

The Proteus HR panels at Grange University Hospital feature in a pod-like design on the exterior of the main entrance and within the foyer; taking the architect’s design from the outside in and creating a visual point of interest for visitors as they enter and exit the building. Adding further aesthetic appeal, the deep red-brown ochre finish of the copper cladding creates a warming pop of natural colour against the monochrome grey and white modular panels that adorn most of the hospital’s exterior.

Bespoke spanning fins manufactured by Proteus Facades measuring 400mm x 80mm were utilised across the entrance and along the external façade of the hospital restaurant. Each fin had an internal support of a 300mm x 50mm x 5mm aluminium extrusion PPC coated with bespoke head and base plate connections for bolting into the primary brackets within the structural openings. The aluminium extrusions were then clad with TECU Patina Iron Two panels to provide the overall finish.

Proteus Facades also fabricated cantilevering head and base cloaking panels and bespoke brackets for use on the entrance and within the foyer to create the illusion that the pods emerge from the wall in a box-like structure.

Grange University Hospital (previously known as the Specialist and Critical Care Centre) is the centrepiece of a new model of healthcare delivery serving over 600,000 people. The 471-bed hospital is home to more than 40 specialist services and features a helicopter pad for patients who need to arrive by air ambulance.

The building also takes advantage of the landscaped setting, offering views across the surrounding countryside and access to therapeutic spaces to promote healing and wellness. It is this design-led and collaborative approach to construction that has resulted in the development securing two Constructing Excellence Wales Awards for Best Digital Construction and Off-Site Development.

For further information about Proteus HR or to view more inspirational rainscreen facades from Proteus Facades, visit: www.proteusfacades.com or call: 0151 545 5075.

Undertaken by Laing O’Rourke Construction, over 5 years Laing O’Rourke, and its delivery teams, re- developed the old Victorian work house hospital into a state of the art 90,000m2 City General Campus facility, including an Integrated Clinical Education Centre.

The redevelopment stemmed for the need to modernise the existing facilities and bring together three sites into one centre, removing the old adhoc collection of disparated buildings and developing the site into a meaningful space with simple wayfinding and suitable parking facilities for a 21^st century hospital site.

Proteus Engineered Façade Technology worked with Laing O’Rourke Constructions design teams including Ryder HKS and Design Buro Architects to develop a rationalised rainscreen design which offered a standard pallet of materials across the entire site. Metclad Contracts secured the façade installation package with Laing O’Rourke, over 5 phases and installed some 13000m2 of aluminium Proteus HR panels. The main colour being a RAL 9006 pre coated PVdF paint finish which provided a linking material between the various phases. The Proteus HR panels were pre formed in flat, cranked, facetted and pre curved panels to meet the geometry required by the design.

To the front entrance a bright and bold colour pallet of Red, Orange and Yellow PPC coated Proteus HR aluminium panels create an inviting main entrance and focal point to the building. To the rear a more subtle tone of Proteus HR panels with a PPC finish in a variety of blue colours was chosen to provide a more relaxing atmosphere for patients and visitors.

Overall a striking, yet calming building has been created for visitors and patients and provides a modern healthcare facility for the local community