bradford teaching hospitals nhs
foundation trust - taking care of newborn babies and their mums.

Property Tectonics were commissioned by the Bradford Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust to undertake a condition appraisal of most of the hospital estate. We identified that the reinforced concrete framed five storey block, housing the Women’s and Newborn Unit, needed considerable improvement to the external envelope. The external curtain walling was suffering from water ingress, draughty and poorly fitting windows, and significant heat loss due to a lack of thermal insulation. We found that the roof was poorly insulated, was leaking and the upper part of the concrete frame was exposed to weather and degrading. Our defect investigation report recommended that the Trust needed a comprehensive refurbishment to remedy these issues.

A significant investment was made to provide a new external envelope to the building, together with a new roof covering incorporating additional thermal insulation. The refit included new cladding to all faces of the five-storey building, new better insulated windows and refurbishment of the roof. The cladding proposals used a mixture of bold colours chosen by the staff to give the major landmark a welcome facelift.

We undertook the lead consultant, architectural design, quantity surveying, and CDM Principal Designer roles which included management of the design team consisting of a structural engineer, clerk of works whilst also assisting the trust in the appointment of specialists such as asbestos consultants and telecoms.

This major scheme was on site for a full 52 weeks with a significant challenge to undertake the works without closing the building or reducing the services being provided. The project team engaged in exceptional consultation and engagement with all the stakeholders, especially the unit’s staff and patients. This was not just about planning and executing the works but also planning and managing the internal workings of the unit to ensure that patients were not inconvenienced and even endangered by noise and vibration whilst the work was being undertaken. 

Concerns over external cladding systems, highlighted by the tragic Grenfell Tower fire, led the Property Tectonics design team to work with the contractor to further improve the fire resistance of the construction. Whilst the existing design was fully compliant it was felt that improvements could be made by replacing with a non-combustible thermal insulation. Our preferred insulation material was Rockwool

Teamwork and cooperation was vital, especially between the matron and her team and the contractor and the company’s site management team. The empathy, communication and organisation was truly outstanding and highly successful, demonstrated by outstanding KPI’s on quality, health and safety, productivity, defects and of note, zero complaints.

The finished results speak for themselves. A bright, colourful, attractive building and much improved environment for every member of the local community visiting Bradford Royal Infirmary. At the same time, it has created a warm, draught free and very comfortable internal space for women in childbirth attending the unit. The compliments from the users, patients and the general public, who have praised and welcomed the improvements to the unit, have been plentiful. The team is delighted with the success of the project which has been delivered on time and to budget but most of all is fulfilling every design objective envisaged at the outset.

The success of this project was recognised by the Energy Efficiency Awards in 2019 whereby it was nominated in both the Regional and National award ceremonies and was given first place at both events.

The judges commented:
“This multi-agency project required skill, expertise and solid
effective communication, this has been delivered to full effect.”

Bradford Maternity Hospital (rockwool.com)