Client: North West London Hospitals NHS Trust
Value: £200,000
Architect: Avanti Architects
Type of works: VITRAL^® glazing was used to allow daylight to wash the cool and airy interior of this highly commended public building.

A lightweight, self-supporting ridgelight curves from the entrance foyer and runs for over 100m down the spine of the central concourse. In the waiting areas, large, slim-framed panels provide the slick façade glazing.

Opening panels in both elements ensure a healthy flow of fresh air for comfort. Additional bottom-hung openers in the roof are linked to the fire detection system, so that the roof opens on a fail-safe basis to exhaust smoke. At the same time, the façade glazing automatically opens to provide the clean replacement air at low level to buy escape time from the building. All of this vital functionality is achieved whilst the beautiful, slender framing is maintained.