The Manor Hospital, Oxford

Architect: Kendall Kingscot
Type of works: design, manufacture and installation of a curved, transparent roof.

The architect approached Novum to create a slightly curved, transparent roof that would bring light and warmth through common areas of the hospital. To maximize transparency and still offer solar control, Novum developed an ETFE air filled pillow system with a screen print on the inner surface of the top pillow layer. Mechanically operated side vent panels that link to the Building Management System were incorporated into the design to allow for ventilation. The pillows are kept under constant inflation by a monitoring system that reacts immediately to pressure changes. The transparent ETFE pillows seem to float above the space below, creating an inviting, open feeling.

AES architecturally exposed mild steel trusses that are primed and liquid painted provide structural support for the air filled pillows. AFP aluminium profiles with an anodized finish hold each three layer, ETFE air filled pillow in place. The top layer has screen print to reduce solar gain.