The new Stanmore Building, at the Royal National Orthopaedic Hospital in Stanmore, Middlesex, combines the latest health technology with architectural design and contemporary art to create colourful and welcoming spaces for patients and staff. As well as providing a visually-appealing environment, surface finishes in healthcare facilities also need to be hard-wearing, hygienic, easy-to-clean and maintain. Architects BDP specified Acrovyn by Design to incorporate behind all 94 beds in the building.

Acrovyn by Design embeds high-resolution digital prints on the reverse of clear, Acrovyn PVC-Free sheets. The sheet acts as a protective shield to the image and provides an impact- and scratch-resistant surface that is impervious and chemically-resistant, without compromising on interior design.

The images reflect the theme of nature used in the corridors and the colour of each floor. White and green predominate on level 2, blue and green on level 3, and purple on level 4. The images used on the children’s ward are fun and brightly-coloured silhouettes of children playing outside.

Vertical pairs of Acrovyn BL10V bed head protectors were fitted behind each of the beds, providing additional protection for the walls against tough knocks over a range of bed heights.

Additionally, more than 370m of stylish HRBW50-N combined hand and crashrails were installed in corridors and circulation areas.

These comprise 40mm diameter solid ash handrails for support, integrated with white, 127mm high, shock-absorbing Acrovyn PVC-Free crashrails that protect walls from impact damage, all mounted on single, robust stainless steel brackets.

The system complies with Approved Document M and BS 8300 for handrail diameter, stand-off from wall and bracket clearance.

An extra solid ash handrail, on a separate stainless steel bracket, was placed lower down the walls of the children’s/young person’s ward, to help smaller patients and visitors move around safely.

A simpler approach to wall protection was used in back-of-house areas, where impact damage was a bigger concern.

Heavy duty impact protection SCR-50MN Acrovyn PVC-Free crashrails were installed at mid-wall height. These feature a curved, free-floating Acrovyn cover, that flexes on impact, mounted on a continuous aluminium retainer.

Additionally, textured Acrovyn PVC-Free Sheet, in 949 White and Grey Cloud, was used to protect walls in storage areas.

Finally, Acrovyn SO corner guards were used throughout the new building, including the variable angle model to accommodate wall irregularities. This cost-effective medium-duty solution to protecting a range of corner angles is available in 50mm and 75mm leg sizes. Protection is cut to size and mounted on wall surfaces quickly and efficiently with construction adhesive or factory-applied foam tape.

Testimonial

“We wanted the Stanmore Building to reflect the medical excellence for which the hospital is renowned; to enhance our patients’ experience and to give staff an excellent working environment, so they can provide the best care possible,” says Trudy Johnson, PMO Programme Manager at Royal National Orthopaedic Hospital NHS Trust.

“The art and poetry in the corridors and wards is a key element of the interior design. It is great that we do not have to worry about the murals in the wards and bedrooms getting damaged, so they will benefit everyone staying and working in the hospital for years to come.”