vebrobound Stone, an attractive, slip-resistant, SUDs compliant alternative to tarmac, lose gravel and paving, has been chosen to add the finishing touches to Inverness Campus’ new elective care facility, the National Treatment Centre.
The 8,300 m2 new-build addition to Inverness campus, a hub for world-class research and development in the life-sciences sector that provides a space for businesses, researchers, academia and scientists to collaborate and innovate, is part of NHS Highland’s facilities and provides orthopaedic and ophthalmology healthcare to patients from across the North of Scotland. Not only does the centre cater to local needs, but it also goes beyond by fostering innovation and research, enhancing the scope and impact of clinical services provided.
Within the scenic backdrop of the NHS Highland Inverness Campus, the accommodation comprises an ophthalmology outpatient department, ophthalmology and orthopaedic theatres, inpatient wards, an imaging and diagnostics suite, as well as collaborative spaces, educational facilities, and office spaces.
Balfour Beatty, who were awarded the contact for this prestigious project, collaborated with NHS Highland to provide work experience placements and employment opportunities for local college and university students throughout its duration, in line with their sustainability target to positively impact one million people by 2040.
Before construction of the facility began in 2020, Hector Macaulay, Regional Managing Director of Balfour Beatty’s UK Construction Services business in Scotland & Ireland, said: “We are proud to be collaborating with NHS Highland to deliver a world-class National Treatment Centre that will improve the experience of patients through improved services and facilities.”
Focus on the floor
The exterior of the National Treatment Centre has been transformed through the installation of vebrobound Stone along its perimeter.
vebrobound Stone is a fully permeable, SUDs compliant resin-bound aggregate system that is ideally suited for use in public-facing external applications like hospitals and healthcare facilities. The stylish, low maintenance system perfectly balances functionality with aesthetics, resulting in a decorative finish that not only looks the part, but also stands the test of time.
The fully permeable system prevents pooling & allows surface water to drain, while providing excellent wear, weather & UV resistance, making it perfectly suited for busy external pathways and concourses where wheeled and heavy foot traffic is expected, and adverse weather is common.
Available in a range of attractive aggregate blends, vebrobound Stone can complement existing structures to deliver a stunning welcome to institutional facilities such as this.
The polyurethane-bound aggregate system was installed directly over a tarmac substrate by the team at Hendersons, a Moray-based commercial decorating and resin flooring installation company established over 40 years ago and delivering first class flooring projects throughout Scotland.
The company, which prides itself on the continual training of existing staff and development of trainees across its business, ensuring it continues to offer an unsurpassable service, deployed their dedicated and highly-skilled resin flooring team to transform the external areas at NHS Highland’s new facility at Inverness Campus.
Mark Coffey, Partner at Oberlanders, the architecture firm behind this impressive structure, said of the project “This has been an exciting project to be a part of. As the central focus for delivering elective care for the north of Scotland, this project will make a significant impact on improving healthcare for patients, staff and visitors. Designing within a fantastic campus built landscape and emphasising the interior design connections to the outdoors has been especially rewarding. We believe this will be key to positively assisting with patient recovery and everyone’s engagement with the hospital.”
Oberlanders’ focus on reflecting the surrounding landscape has been a key factor in vebrobound Stone being selected for this project, as its aggregate finish mimics natural stone while its seamless finish complements the bold structure of the building itself, helping to blend the facility and its surroundings.
Looking for an attractive, safe, durable alternative to tarmac, paving or loose gravel? Contact your local Vebro Polymers team to discuss how vebrobound Stone can transform commercial facilities.
