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Client:Royal United Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust
Architect:IBI Group
Contractor:Kier
Construction value:£5m

Forbes Fraser Pharmacy

Royal United Hospitals, Bath

Understanding the different functional requirements was very important on this project. The new building houses the aseptic suites for the production of radiotherapy drugs and a large dispensing robot to administer drugs to all wards of the hospital. Security was paramount and the walls and partitions on the ground floor are blockwork to provide robustness. As the pharmacy takes delivery of the radioactive chemicals used to produce radiotherapy drugs, protection measures in the form of a heavyweight structure was required to prevent the transmission of radiation to unwanted areas. The site remained live and there was a tight programme requiring a fast build with minimal disruption to staff and patients. A braced steel frame with precast planks was chosen to allow the maximum amount of off-site fabrication and minimise build time on site. Orientating all of the primary structure in the same direction allowed maximum flexibility for services throughout the building.

“Working with Integral is extremely refreshing. Their pragmatic approach to delivery and their ability to seamlessly balance the often competing demands of the architect, services engineer and contractor, not only provides the most efficient solutions but ones which seek to achieve the most cost-effective outcome possible. Integral’s engineers not only have creative flair but a practical understanding of the construction and implementation processes meaning that an idea on paper transitions well to site. This applies equally to mundane queries as well as to challenging engineering problems. Having Integral as part of our team has contributed real discernible value to the project and we look forward to working with them again in the future.”

Wayne Martin, Design Manager, Pharmacy Kier Construction