Welwyn Garden City Health Centre

Terrapin’s off site construction technology has assisted rapid completion of Welwyn Garden City’s new walk-in health centre. Terrapin’s Unitrex building system provided a fast and flexible solution for the 300m2 structure, with factory-built panelised units delivered in flat pack form ready for speedy assembly and finishing on site. The project was completed by Terrapin in just nine weeks, under the NHS LIFT initiative by Assemble Community Partnership, on behalf of the PCT.

Spring House Medical Centre offers a full range of GP and related medical services from 8am to 8pm, 7 days a week. Terrapin worked with Assemble to design and build the modern healthcare facility which incorporates reception and waiting areas, consulting and treatment rooms, management offices and clinical stores. The specification also included air conditioning and an innovative ‘light pipe’ system in the main lobby to provide an energy efficient source of natural light. The flat roofed building is clad in lightweight aggregate panels, and the internal partitioning is specified to provide 90 minute fire resistance and sound insulation up to 56dB. Grey powder coated aluminium windows are complemented by low threshold aluminium entrance doors, with ramp access for wheelchairs.

As part of the contract, Terrapin agreed to sign up to the Code of Considerate Constructors Scheme (CCS), an industry initiative aimed at encouraging best practice beyond statutory requirements. The CCS assessed the site as clean, tidy and considerate to close neighbours. Using off site construction methods played a key role in complying with the Code explained Terrapin Project Manager, Adam Johnson, “A faster build programme, fewer deliveries - and therefore fewer traffic movements - all help to minimise disruption to residents. In addition, less waste is produced on site, which contributed to a good CCS score for our environmental performance on this project. Reducing the work that needs to be completed on site also improves health and safety - another category covered by the Code.”

Welwyn Garden City Health Centre

Image Gallery