Handspring Design was commissioned by the client to design and make an entrance canopy for a new NHS mental care unit at Rotherham main hospital site.

The client wanted a curvy timber structure with a green roof for a similar price to the glass and steel one proposed by the architect. Handspring developed the design using its signature steam bending of oak to create double curved laminate beams. These were the largest glulams the company has made at 10m long each, joined half way as Handspring's steambox can only accommodate 5m timbers.

The structure does not touch the building but instead is held up by two thermal break brackets and steel tubular columns. On top of the beams is a lattice of oak laths and then ply and the green roof build-up with 100mm of substrate topped by wildflower and sedum mat.

Birds have been nesting in the canopy, much to the delight of the unit's manager whose office window opens onto the roof.

Handspring was also commissioned to make a green roofed large Onion structure for the main patient garden to the rear of the building.