Client: Craigavon Area Hospital
Type of works: supply of antimicrobial copper ironmongery.

The new Trauma & Orthopaedic building at Craigavon Area Hospital provides state-of-the-art theatre facilities where patient dignity, infection control and a healing environment were key elements of the design.

The build cost was in the region of £10 million and was hailed by the Minister for Health as a 'World Class Facility', setting the standard for future theatre developments in Europe and further afield.

The building itself contains 3 ultra-clean laminar-flow theatre suites, a 7 bed recovery ward and a 15 bed orthopaedic ward.

With regards to the ironmongery specification, and at the client’s request, a mixture of finishes was supplied, bronze ironmongery to tactile surfaces with stainless steel door closers and kick plates.

The client’s brief stated the ironmongery specification required a proven yet unique lever handle which had to provide longevity and a proven track record in helping deter the spread of harmful microbes.

Copper and copper alloys have a natural ability to destroy harmful microbes relatively rapidly a solid bronze lever and pull handle were specified.

To match the specified bronze lever handles MB Architectural specified and supplied a matching concealed bearing hinge in bronze to the doorset supplier to keep the feel and also the aesthetics of the bronze flowing throughout the hospital.

MB Architectural also provided the door automation specification which had to be sympathetic towards users, many of whom have mobility difficulties.

MB Architectural is part of Macnaughton Blair’s Architectural Division which also consists of Lloyd Worrall in GB and Yannedis in London.