Walsgrave Hospital
Client: University Hospitals Coventry and Warwickshire NHS Trust Architect: Nightingales Main Contractor: Skanska Innisfree JV Knauf Drywall products and systems are being installed throughout the development, which provides a mix of accident & emergency, specialist services and research. The 1212 bed Acute Hospital incorporates 27 theatres including 5 day surgery theatres, whilst a new Clinical Sciences Building provides teaching and research facilities. The completion of the Acute Hospital is scheduled for the summer of 2006, with demolition of the remaining old buildings due in 2007.
The Walsgrave Hospital development consolidates the old Coventry and Warwickshire hospitals into one enormous development, 5 storeys high and stretching a quarter of a mile in length. When work started, this was the largest project outside of London.
The Knauf Drywall Specification Team were involved from an early stage, and used their wide experience of previous PFI schemes to quickly produce a cost effective and practical specification, engineering out potential problems.
The specification made extensive use of Knauf Soundshield on 70 mm Knauf Metal Studs to provide the thinnest possible severe duty rated partitions with the required acoustic performance. Bespoke security walls were purpose designed by the Knauf Drywall team, utilising Knauf Soundshield in combination with other durable materials. Two hour compartment walls are catered for with a double layer of Knauf Fireshield. Other Knauf Drywall systems used include Wall Linings, MF Ceilings and specialist Shaftwall.
Drylining contractor Baris of Nottingham is installing Knauf Soundshield on 70mm stud throughout the Acute Hospital. Terry Whittaker, Project Manager for Skanska, comments:
"Knauf Drywall has been involved with the project from early design stages, providing valuable advice on project specifications and solutions for best value."