THE CHALLENGE

KOK are currently employed by Liverpool University Hospital NHS Foundation Trust to act as Principal Designer and Client CDM-Advisors on the £240m completion of the 646 bed Royal Liverpool Hospital following the liquidation of Carillion.

As well as the general completion works, a new vehicle and pedestrian access podium is currently being constructed to raise the external access to the level of the main entrance which formed part of the original design intent for the site.

Since the time of the original design, and with the delays caused to the original Carillion programme as well as their subsequent design, there has been a need for the Trust to review the use and general layout arrangements. This has meant that certain areas of the hospital no longer met the current operational needs of the Trust and its clinicians and have required further redesign works to be undertaken.

KEY CONSIDERATIONS

The works have involved complex structural interventions following identification of serious structural defects in a significant number of areas of the building.

The works necessitated very detailed and complex programming arrangements, requiring technical input from not only the Structural Engineers and contractors but also the services engineers to be able to remove large sections of services from within ceiling voids to facilitate access and ensure existing live services continued to operate.

During the course of the completion works it was also identified that the cladding was of a similar type to that involved in the Grenfell fire. This meant that the cladding needed detailed remedial works undertaken to ensure it was compliant.

THE OUTCOME & RESULTS

One of the key roles of the Principal Designer was to ensure that the works could be safely undertaken especially in relation to the potential for overloading of the structure and uncontrolled collapse risks.

The scheme is now moving into its final stages and with it brings fresh challenges. Laing O’Rourke look to complete outstanding works at the same time as the Trust commissions internal fit outs for specialist areas and retail units. This has necessitated further Principal Designer input into coordination of works and contractors around the hospital, ensuring important matters such as fire and emergency escape routes are maintained, clear from obstruction and adequately signposted.