External solar shading has been installed at the new PFI hospital being constructed in Enniskillen, Northern Ireland, to control solar gain, light and glare.
Maple Sunscreening has designed, manufactured and installed a complete brise soleil and screen package which complements the extensive use of wood and glass in the hospital’s landmark façade. Natural wood panels shade the south-facing elevation, while specially-angled glass louvre shades protect the hospital’s clinical facilities from direct sunlight. In addition to sunscreening systems, a copper-coloured mesh screen, custom-designed for the project by Maple, creates a dramatic design statement at the main entrance.
David Ortiz, design manager for main contractor, FCC Elliott Construction Partnership, said: “The solar shading system will begin to pay for itself from day one with energy savings for the hospital. It will cut the carbon footprint by reducing cooling and heating requirements.”
Solar shading to the south-facing façade of the new hospital is provided by an all-timber system from Maple’s Corona range, featuring a distinctive aerofoil blade design. Panels measuring 280mm x 44mm were manufactured in natural pine to complement the building’s exterior timber cladding. The wood was then heat treated to extend its service life without the need for chemical preservatives.
Specially designed for the application, the 700mm x 2,000mm glass louvre shades for the clinical areas were fabricated from toughened laminated glass with a frosted finish. Installed at a 30-degree angle, each glass fin overlaps by about 100mm, ensuring that only Northern light can enter and so protecting the interior from the potentially-damaging effects of solar radiation from intense Southern light.
Completing the product package is a bespoke 25m x 10m mesh screen with a copper-look finish which provides a dramatic architectural feature for the main entrance. The custom-coloured powder coating was applied to perforated aluminium panels, creating the design impact of real copper on a durable, low-maintenance material that won’t discolour over time. A walkway is provided between the mesh screening and façade to allow access for window cleaning and other building maintenance.
