TWO interlinked healthcare projects in Aberdeen – The Baird Family Hospital and nearby ANCHOR Centre – have highlighted the benefits of offsite fabrication.
Having faced timing and budgetary challenges due to Covid and sanitation/ventilation issues, it was vital the last leg of the work, including the installation of rainscreen cladding, was completed without a hitch.
Cladding subcontractor ProCladd appointed Vivalda Scotland to supply and install 4,000 sqm of Equitone natura fibre cement panels for the Baird building and 200 sqm of wood effect Rockpanel for the front of the ANCHOR Centre. Due to access and space constraints, Vivalda undertook all pre-fabrication work offsite at its Cumbernauld facility, before transporting the ready-to-fit cladding to Aberdeen where it was installed on a just-in-time basis.
To improve efficiency, secret fix brackets from SFS were also precision drilled to each panel offsite, enabling ‘rapid’ completion of the Equitone panels.
William Barlow, branch manager of Vivalda Scotland, said, “One of the largest projects of its kind in Scotland, the Baird Family Hospital and adjoining ANCHOR Centre demonstrates why more contractors should be considering offsite fabrication when it comes to cladding. We have a long-standing relationship with ProClad, who really understand the benefits of appointing experienced partners to add value within their area of expertise. We have the software, CNC machines and beam saws to ensure that we reduce material wastage, while achieving accurate cuts on every panel supplied.”
The Baird Family Hospital and The ANCHOR Centre project is a £261.1 million building development at the Foresterhill Health Campus in Aberdeen. The initiative comprises two new buildings to support the provision of clinical care. Both buildings include research and teaching facilities and will offer a person-centred environment of care.
