Alumasc Skyline and Rainwater package specified at Weston-super-Mare Hospital.
Weston General is part of the University Hospitals Bristol and Weston NHS Foundation Trust (UHBW). It is located in the Uphill area of North Somerset, serving a resident population of around 212,000, and over 3 million visiting tourists every year. The 1980s building has benefited from a recent period of updating, which included replacement of the existing rainwater drainage system, fascia sub-frame and soffit panelling, around the entire perimeter of the hospital and its seven internal courtyards.
Project architect, Sandy Murray, of Bristolbased practice Stretto Architects, was tasked with specifying the replacement system, which not only had to match the existing fascia soffit system visually, but also needed to outperform it in terms of rainwater capacity. A number of bespoke elements would be required in order to meet the building’s exacting specification and it was imperative that optimum results
were achieved within strict timescales and budgets.
The Skyline fascias were supplied polyester powder coated in brown, and the soffits in white. They were combined with Alumasc Rainwater bespoke aluminium box gutter and Flushjoint downpipes in white. In total, a whole kilometre of product was installed around the building envelope, resulting in a comprehensive rainwater drainage solution more than capable of withstanding the daily rigours presented by Weston General.
Alumasc’s Technical Support Team provided a comprehensive design service, including full site layouts, sectional drawings and take-off schedules, rainwater flow and outlet/gutter calculations, and site surveys involving prototype product installation and assistance with technical detailing for the structural interfaces. The team also worked closely with the installing contractor Creative Construction, to provide all necessary training and assessment, ensuring strict quality and legislative standards were achieved.
“A good working relationship was fostered between the UHBW NHS Foundation Trust, Stretto Architects, Creative Construction and Alumasc, which meant any issues arising on site were resolved expediently.”
He concludes: “The final result is that the products look great! The whole hospital has been given a refreshed and renewed appearance, which will serve the building, its staff and visitors well into the future.”
Sandy Murray
Project Architect
