Client: Rotherham General Hospital
Type of works: supply of Marleys Rivendale fibre cement slates
A major extension project at Rotherham General Hospital has recently been completed using Marleys Rivendale fibre cement slates where the choice of roofing finish complements the surrounding locality and built environment, as well as supporting the overall architectural vision.
With a combined area of 3,000 sq metres, more than 40,000 Rivendale tiles in heather were specified for three new hospital ward blocks, day spaces and public areas, designed primarily to meet the needs of elderly in-patients, families and visitors.
A key consideration was the need to ensure that the new construction blended seamlessly with the surrounding rural landscape and style of adjoining buildings. Steve Holland, senior project manager for main contractors Laing ORourke, says: The hospital is set in an area of protected woodland in fact, the new development is named Woodlands and the main construction and design aesthetic entailed the use of slate cladding and natural stone. We therefore needed a roofing finish that worked well with such materials, and the Rivendale slates certainly add to the overall natural look we were seeking.
Charlotte Hughes, campaign manager at Marley, said: As well as their look and performance characteristics, Rivendale fibre cement slates come with proven green credentials as they can achieve an A+ rating in the BRE Green Guide to Specification.
Steve Holland continues: Sustainability credentials were another important aspect of our decision to select Rivendale slates at Rotherham Hospital, and we were delighted to find such an environmentally friendly product that also offers the traditional appearance of natural slate.
Working with fibre cement slate also provided real benefit to the roofing and construction teams as it enabled speedy construction of the roof so that they could, for example, obtain quick control of weather integrity for the new blocks and help the build timetable to keep on track.
Lee Jarvis, from roofing contractors Jarvis Roofing, says: Rivendale slates were an ideal solution for the new hospital blocks as the finished roof certainly blends well with the surroundings, offering a look that is sympathetic alongside the hand-made stonework used on the main construction.
Steve Holland concludes: We are really pleased with the finished look to the project delivered for Rotherham, Doncaster & South Humber NHS Foundation Trust. By specifying the Rivendale slate, the roofing element of the build has met the aesthetic objectives we set out and, indeed, many people who have seen the new blocks have commented favourably on how they look. They will provide excellent amenities for elderly inpatients and their families for years to come.
For more information go to www.marleyeternit.co.uk/slates