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For the recently completed Maggie’s Centre in London, SAS International developed and manufactured the soffit ceiling lining for the building designed by Rogers Stirk Harbour + Partners (RSHP). This involved the design of the bespoke triangular metal panels which are suspended internally and externally from the structural steel work. Skylights, solar shading panels and the bullnose feature around the canopy’s perimeter were also designed and manufactured.
The canopy roof is built around a diagrid of steel I-beams. A crisscrossing design was used to highlight the underside of the roof where approximately 240 aluminium panels make up the undercladding, which adhere to the roof’s geometry.
To ensure that the panels aligned evenly along the lines of the roof as well as meeting the required tolerances, SAS built a virtual 3D model of the inverted hipped roof. This model formed the basis for the building process and allowed SAS to manufacture the entire ceiling at its Maybole factory.
In addition to being a design feature itself, the roof/ceiling needed to meet a number of design criteria including the ability to provide natural light and shading while also reducing views of the neighbouring hospital from within the centre. The external canopy has integrated skylights allowing natural daylight to enter the building and SAS manufactured solar shading within the southern skylights helping to diffuse the sun’s direct rays.
Will Wimshurst, project architect for Rogers Stirk Harbour + Partners, said: “We have aimed to create a welcoming and inviting refuge which – while domestic in scale – is open and flexible and enables visitors to find a space that’s appropriate for them. The raised roof allows natural light to pour in to the internal space of the centre whilst limiting views of the adjacent hospital. Partitions divide up the open structure inside placing the kitchen at the heart of the building.
With the initial steelwork design provided by Arup, it was the responsibility of SAS to create a layout for the additional steelwork required, including the fixing points for the panels. Brackets were then used to mount the individual panels, which had been aligned through the use of lasers.
To ensure that there was no light flashing reflection on the ceiling, SAS used a combination of single-ply roofing membrane to interface with the metal.
Richard White, Design Manager for SAS International, added: “RSH+P were looking for the detail and precision that you would get from a metal ceiling but they wanted that carried through to the exterior, and that was the key to the whole thing.
Maggie’s Centres are open to anyone affected by cancer, not just those diagnosed with the disease, but also their family, friends and carers. They offer information, emotional and psychological support and advice are always located with hospital groups in close proximity to major cancer treatment centres.
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