Aluglaze insulated panels by architectural panel manufacturer Panel Systems were specified as part of an innovative curtain walling system for the new extension to the £30 million Rosie Maternity Unit at Addenbrookes Hospital in Cambridge.

The striking curtain walling system was created by HW Architectural based in Brighouse, working in conjunction with principal contractor Farrans Construction.

The extension to the Rosie Maternity Unit was a joint architectural project by Allies and Morrison and Devereux Architects.

Andrew Eastwood, Designer at HW Architectural, said: “This was a technically and architecturally demanding project. It involved a number of special extrusions with specific details to meet the architect’s vision for the building. Our experience in designing bespoke curtain-walling solutions, combined with our close working relationship with Panel Systems and Farrans have resulted in an aesthetically pleasing, contemporary exterior for the building that perfect complements its surroundings.”

Over 300m2 of natural silver anodized aluminium faced panel Aluglaze panels were supplied by Panel Systems to the project. Each panel was insulated with rigid foam insulation to achieve a U- Value of 0.35 W/m2K in order to enhance the thermal performance of the new extension.

The curtain walling system of which the panels are a part, also allows for the incorporation of vertical and horizontal metal screens to provide sun shading on the south and west façades.”

The high performance curtain walling system specified for the Rosie Hospital was organised on a 900mm grid and forms a regular pattern of windows and vents on the elevation. This allows walls to be located anywhere along the 900mm module.

The standard window configuration comprises of a full height aluminium profile system with a fixed, clear glazed top panel and an insulated metal panel below. This allows flexibility in the positioning of the furniture behind. In public waiting areas the glazed panels extend to full height. Each standard window bay features full height Siberian Larch timber battens to the outside face which conceal an internal opening vent for user controlled natural ventilation in non clinical areas of the building. The curtain walling system also allows for the incorporation of vertical and horizontal metal screens to provide sun shading on the south and west façades.

Danny Phelan, Sales Manager for Panel Systems, explains: “We were able to offer a flexible, bespoke approach to the design of the Aluglaze panels as well as an assuring the correct level of thermal performance on this project. It was essential that the hospital achieved a high level of energy efficiency to retain the comfort of its patients and reduce their ongoing energy costs. We worked closely with HW Architectural, to ensure the panels were delivered to the exact specification and to ensure they met the tight build schedule.”

The £30m extension has seen the three midwifery-led birthing unit increased to 10, with improved facilities for mothers, including birthing pools and parental overnight facilities. The extension was required to cope with the rising birth rate in the area, after the hospital was built in 1983 for 3,000 to 4,000 births per year, the unit now has around 5,800 births per year, which is predicted to rise to 7,500 in the next few years.

New energy efficient facade at Rosie Maternity Unit

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