Newham University | Hospital Maternity + New Born Unit

The project involved the redevelopment of an operational facility in the existing building, and a new “in fill” extension of part of the internal courtyard for use as the Maternity and New-Born Department. This included extensive phased refurbishment of 2 floors of 2 wings of the existing hospital building, to create a new women’s services department. The key to the project was providing a dynamic and comfortable feeling setting the standard for maternity facilities.

Critically, the works were undertaken in a live hospital environment, and provision of the new department with outpatients assessment rooms, delivery suites, and the nursery was introduced without reducing the critical operation of the 24/7 facilities. The team carefully phased the project to maintain the operation of the main hospital facilities. This required detailed investigation and analysis of the adjacent wards to the existing services. Surveys found the existing services fed more than one ward and that substantial ventilation heating and electrical services were needed to be maintained operational to service the adjacent wards. When works on the services within the hospital street ceiling void were required. An innovative “zip-up” panelling system was used to ensure a safe working and clean hygienic separation was maintained between the works and the patients.

Elementa provided full design services for the mechanical, electrical, and public health services on this project along with energy monitoring and BREEAM advice. Services included medical gases, communication room cooling, and air conditioning of the ground floors. An essential part of the successful outcome of this project was the collaborative and close working practices with both the M&E subcontractors and the client stakeholders.

Key building systems such as the water services were upgraded as well as hot water distribution and safe TMV3 blending. To enhance comfort and reduce visual and physical impact radiant ceiling panels were utilised throughout the common areas.