Overview

Victoria Hospital has been undergoing a multi-million pound extension. Opening January 2012, the new wing will be home to the A&E department; maternity unit and eleven new operating theatres.
 
The design of the new hospital wing is modern and organic. Lines curve and arc with few right angles – there is nothing ‘boxy’ about the design, breaking the mould of traditional hospital architecture. 
 
The two main entrances into the new wing needed to be covered and with the rounded sections of the building, glass, steel or polycarbonate were not options. Having worked with architectural firm BDP on several previous projects, BDP had a good understanding of how fabric works as a building medium and how it can take organic shapes.
 
The design intention was to create two covered entranceways that:
 
•  Take the shape of the building, enhancing its architecture
•  Would feel light, airy and welcoming
•  Could allow ambulances to drive under
•  Feature rainwater management, creating dry space for patience and visitors 
•  Integrated up lights for nighttime brilliance
 
Fabric Architecture and BDP started sketching out designs that would work with the unique building entrances. The design result is two bespoke ‘barrel’ type tensile fabric structures.  One measures 25 m x 10 m and the other is 22m x 11 m. 
 
Canopies were specified using an Architectural Grade type 2 PVC in white with white painted steelwork.
 
What’s unique about the two ‘boomerang’ structures is their integrated rainwater management system. The steelwork along the edge creates a very clean, smooth and modern look. It’s both aesthetic and functional in that it is concealing ridges along the circumference of the canopy where water is channelled to the lower points and drains down and out the masts. 
 
Working alongside Main Contractor Balfour Beatty, canopies were installed with ease and add the finishing touch to the new hospital.