The end is in sight for glittering new patient treatment centre in Greater Manchester
Currently under construction, Oak Road Patient Treatment Centre will be home to the largest early clinical trials unit in the world, an expanded chemotherapy department and a new private patients unit. At this point in time it is thought that the facility will open ahead of schedule before Christmas 2010. During the design process, the team took on board comments from staff and patients and the resulting design aims to bring together chemotherapy and clinical trials for greater benefits to patients, including a speedier treatment process and improved environment.
The building is BREEAM 'Excellent' rated, and has been designed to maximise opportunities for natural lighting, ventilation and breakout space to create an attractive and healthy patient environment. Its unique design creates an exciting new entranceway and identity for Christie Hospital as large areas of glazing have been incorporated into the southeast and southwest facing entrance elevations.
It is hoped that the location of reception, waiting and circulation areas behind these elevations will enliven the facades and create a strong, clear entrance to the new facility. The addition of vertical louvres has been made to these elevations together with high specification glazing to create optimum conditions for solar gain, shading and natural lighting, as well as to provide a degree of privacy to interior spaces. The copper cladding system has been carefully selected to offer a high quality, durable and contemporary finish to the proposals.
The natural textural finish and rich, warm tones of this material were chosen to blend in with the brick and terracotta cladding on adjacent buildings, whilst creating a unique and beautiful façade with a natural patina which will weather naturally over time. The copper is expressed as a continuous ribbon wrapping over and around the glazing, creating a soft, undulating and dynamic form. This is juxtaposed with the angular box forming the Northwest elevation, which provides a pleasing contrast to the more sinuous building elements.
Still onsite, the new centre has been nominated for the Greater Manchester Chamber of Commerce Building of the Year Award.
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