Case Study:
Fulbourn Hospital, Cambridge
Knotwood were specified by architect Murphy Philips to provide aluminium cladding on the new Resource Centre building within the grounds of Fulbourn Hospital, Cambridge.
The £5.8m project was to provide a new building that would become a central hub for patients, staff and members of the local community. Facilities include a café, pharmacy service, music, art and drama therapists, the Heart and Soul chaplaincy team, and a gym. There are also physio and occupational therapy areas, office accommodation and meeting rooms.
The building consists of 25 modulars, some of which have been repurposed from buildings on the site of the former Royal Papworth Hospital in Papworth Everard village. Cambridgeshire and Peterborough NHS Foundation Trusts collaborated on this project to deliver a sustainable facility that would meet the needs of Fulbourn Hospital.
Project Brief
Originally the project brief specified timber cladding but this was changed to Knotwood aluminium cladding due to Knotwood’s reputation for versatility and the requirement for an A2 fire rated product. Knotwood is backed by relevant fire test data to certify that it is All Systems EN 13501-1 Class A Fire Rated.
A CWCT (Centre for Window & Cladding Technology) tested product was also specified which Knotwood passed in September 2022. CWCT is an industry-respected publisher of standards and guidance on the performance of building envelopes, facades, cladding and glazing. CWCT testing determines the serviceability of cladding when exposed to typical climactic levels of water, air and solid object impact.
Aesthetically, the brief for the exterior of the building was to provide a calming and welcoming environment for users, many of whom would be undergoing treatment at the hospital. For this reason it was specified that the cladding should have a natural tone to make it look more informal and inviting, rather than official or clinical.
A design feature over the windows was also required that would complement the cladding.
Development
Grey Ash was chosen from Knotwood’s extensive range of weathered timber finishes. This created a soft, natural tone to the building which would be calming when used by patients from the Trust’s mental health wards for adults and older people. By way of a contrast, the vibrant yellow/orange RAL 2000 colour was used for the east elevation entrance to make it stand out.
Knotwood provided 700m² of interlocking, plank-style aluminium cladding for the Resource Centre, using a mixed pattern of 100mm and 150mm boards. Knotwood provided all trim profiles and accessories for this project which is a 100% concealed fix system. We also provided the aluminium subframe with fire barriers.
For the required design feature over the windows, Knotwood supplied the feature profiles which are formed from 100mm and 150mm slats that follow the line of the cladding boards, extending across the windows of this project to create passive solar shading.
Outcome
Knotwood was pleased to have been able to supply The Resource Centre with a cladding product that will keep the building looking great for many years to come. The external package for this project started in December 2022 with the completion date of March 2023.
Working with architect Murphy Philipps, main contractor Morgan Sindall and specialist cladding contractor Middlesex Facades, Knotwood provided technical support from the design stage of the exterior through to guidance on installation to ensure compatibility in design and problem-free works.
Knotwood aluminium cladding is lightweight and versatile, making it a great product for external cladding on modular buildings. Feedback from the installation team on using Knotwood was very positive.
The Grey Ash cladding creates the required welcoming and calm environment for users and visitors. Alison Manton, Associate Director of Estates, Cambridgeshire & Peterborough NHS Foundation Trust, said:
“The new Resource Centre is a fantastic addition to our Fulbourn site. The buildings have been re-purposed and transformed into a place which I believe staff, service-users and visitors will really enjoy.”
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