The Aberdeen-based firm has been designing,manufacturing and installingtimber frame systems forcommercial developers,

builders, social housing organisations andthe self-build market since 1985. In thistime it has built a solid reputation forreliability and product quality.

Deeside Timberframe was selected todeliver timber frame solutions for twomental health units by main contractorLaing O’Rourke. Gerald Smith, designmanager for Laing O’Rourke, says,“When it came to selecting a partnerDeeside came across as the mostprofessional. It has a proven track recordand is tried and trusted.”

NHS Trust LowSecurity HospitalLiverpool

End Client: Mersey Care NHS Trust

Main Contractor: Laing O'Rourke, ProCure 21 Project

Project/Location: Low Secure Hospital at RathboneHospital, Liverpool

Project scope: Update unsuitable patientaccommodation to provide 30 en-suitebedrooms including lounges/workshops/quiet rooms/gymnasium

Contract value: £8m

With the recent completion of two hospital projects in theNorth West, timber frame manufacturer Deeside

Timberframe is rapidly carving itself a niche asthe supplier of choice for NHS capital schemesprocured using the ProCure21 framework.

building in quality

Deeside Timberframe Ltd (contact: David Jamieson) • Broomhill RoadSpurryhillock Industrial Estate • Stonehaven • Aberdeenshire AB39 2NH

T: 01569 767123 E: david.jamieson@deesidetimberframe.comM: 07501 466575 W: www.deesidetimberframe.com

The first project was the construction of alow security mental health unit at Liverpool’sRathbone Hospital to replace unsuitablepatient accommodation dating from theVictorian era with 30 modern en suitebedrooms, lounges, workshops, quiet roomsand a gym. The £12.5m scheme wascommissioned by Mersey Care NHS Trust.

Overcoming design challengesThe specialist unit provides rehabilitationfor 30 male inpatients with severe andenduring mental health problems. It isdivided into two 15-bed wings, eacharranged around a secure courtyard. Thebuilding is largely made up of a series ofrepeated components, making it ideal fortimber frame technology.

The principles driving the design were thatall patient accommodation should be onthe ground floor, giving immediate accessto outside spaces, and that the secureenclosure should be formed by the buildingitself, rather than perimeter fences.

To achieve this the building has wall spansthat are large by residential standardscreating technical challenges concerningwind bracing and robustness that DeesideTimberframe had to overcome.

Work was carried out on the small site,which adjoined buildings occupied bypatients throughout the works so dust andnoise pollution had to be strictly controlledby both companies.

Deeside’s timber frame constructionallowed Laing O’Rourke to recover time lostmaking good, bad ground conditionsdiscovered during construction of thefoundations. It also enabled them toquickly achieve a weather-sealed builtenclosure. This gave the contractor freedomto bring forward interior fit out trades inparallel with the exterior cladding,significantly reducing critical path risk.

“I found Deeside pro-active and highlyflexible in their approach,” Gerald Smithnotes, “I was impressed by their ability towork with us from an early stage of thedesign and bring ideas to the table. I foundthem very pro-active and highly flexible intheir approach, even when it came toaltering programme dates and overcomingzoning problems.”

A successful collaborationDeeside Timberframe and Laing O’Rourkecollaborated a second time on an £8mproject for Northumberland, Tyne and WearNHS Trust. This involved the partialrefurbishment and part new build of aseven-bed adolescent learning disabilityfacility and 14 bed psychiatric intensive careunit at St Nicholas Hospital in Gosforth,Newcastle upon Tyne.

The new structure had to link into theexisting building and this presentedparticular challenges, as Gerald Smithexplains, “Access was difficult as the timberframe had to be craned over the existingbuilding. It also meant there wasn’t muchroom for error in the floor levels.”

Both projects were designed by leadingspecialist architectural practice MedicalArchitecture & Art Projects (MAAP), whichhas used timber frame solutions on a numberof mental health projects. MAAP AssociatePaul Yeomans explains, “They are quick toerect, sustainable, energy efficient, providerobust walls and give good future flexibility.”

Paul remarks, “We have now worked withDeeside and Laing O’Rourke on a numberof similar projects on a variety of differentscales, allowing all parties to gain a greaterunderstanding of the requirements of theothers. We hope to continue thissuccessful relationship with forthcomingProCure21+ projects for the NHS

“I found Deeside pro-active and highly flexiblein their approach”Gerald Smith, ProCure21