20 June 2016
BRI unveils new facade
Work on the façade of the Bristol Royal Infirmary (BRI), once
voted one of the ugliest buildings in Bristol, has been completed,
creating a sleek, modern and energy-efficient exterior for the
hospital in the centre of Bristol. .
Robert Woolley, Chief Executive of University Hospitals Bristol
NHS Foundation Trust, said: "The work on the exterior of the BRI
was done as part of our £92 million redevelopment of the hospital
to provide an environment that matches the quality of care we give.
The façade and welcome centre at the entrance to the hospital
provide a welcoming entrance for patients, visitors and staff."
Jane Willis, director at Willis Newson, said: "The entrance to a
hospital is so important. A good first impression will welcome and
reassure patients and visitors, which in turn will reduce stress
and anxiety and ensure a better experience. We were privileged to
support the Trust to consider a range of innovative and creative
solutions from world leading artists and architects to create a new
and more welcoming facade which truly represents the quality of
care and professionalism delivered by UH Bristol staff."
The design, named 'Veil', by Spanish architects Nieto Sobejano,
was one of six submissions put forward in an international
competition run by UH Bristol in 2012/3. It was selected as the
winner following a public vote and recommendation from the panel
overseeing the competition, which included representatives of
Bristol's creative and architectural design community, supported by
art consultancy Willis Newson.
Rob Gregory, Architecture Centre programme manager and selection
panellist for UH Bristol, said: "Bristol was privileged to have six
extremely talented artists and architects pitch for this unique
design challenge. Three years later, we now have a wonderful new
façade. This is not only testament to the vision and ambition of UH
Bristol, but also to the successful collaboration between the
project's design leaders from Madrid, and the local team from CODA
architects who have done so much for the hospital over the last ten
years or more."
Spanning the same length as a football pitch, the steel
structure features 185 fitted LED lights and 393 replaced windows,
adding natural ventilation into the hospital when open. In
addition, the over-cladding will extend the life of the building,
substantially reduce heating energy consumption and, carbon
emissions and make the inside more comfortable for
patients.
Andy Headdon, strategic development programme director for UH
Bristol, said: "We are proud to unveil our latest refurbishment
project as part of a major redevelopment at the Trust. We believe
the revitalised look of the hospital successfully reflects our
vision and Trust mission to provide exceptional care, teaching and
research every day.
"Construction work has taken 13 months to complete and we would
like to thank our patients, visitors and staff for cooperating with
any disruptions this may have caused them."
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