St. Christopher’s Hospice, Sydenham
Structural Renovations Limited have completed an external refurbishment project to a 1960s purpose built hospice in southeast London.
St. Christopher’s Hospice was established in 1967 as the world’s first purpose built hospice facility. It was based on the thinking of Dame Cicely Saunders, whose work is considered the foundation of modern hospice philosophy, to serve as a modern research-led hospice, following a £300,000 fundraising scheme, organised by a group of supporters for Saunders’ vision for St. Christopher’s.
Early Stages
The exposed reinforced concrete beams and pre-cast concrete spandrel panels had been exposed for over 5 decades and therefore were in need of extensive repair and the application of high-performance coatings for future protection.
Structural Renovations Limited were closely involved in this project from the early planning stages and assisted with advice on remedial proposals and subsequently obtained a project specific specification from Fosroc Limited for the required works.
Concrete Repair & Coatings
Access comprised of the installation of temporary electrip cradle access, phased in 20No. locations around the building and supplemented by isolated scaffold towers. A visual and hammer-test survey was undertaken to establish the condition of the concrete. All defects were identified and logged on to drawings for record purposes.
Once the defective concrete had been removed, all exposed reinforcement was mechanically cleaned to remove any build-up of corrosion, before being fully protected with the specified Fosroc Nitoprime Zincrich Plus. The prepared defects then received the application of Fosroc Nitobond HAR (bonding-bridge) and were then reinstated to the original surface profile, using Fosroc Renderoc HB30 (repair mortar).
All of the exposed concrete substrates were then pressure washed to remove loose/friable materials and dirt, followed by the application of a migrating corrosion inhibitor, Fosroc Protectosil CIT.
This product also acted as a suitable primer for the application of Fosroc Dekguard E2000, pigmented anti-carbonation coating. The specification was produced in such a way as to reduce labour operations without hindering performance and therefore creating a cost-effective solution for the client.
Our scope of works also included the removal and installation of new PVCu fascia boards, as the original timber facias were beyond economical repair.
Completion
The project was completed on programme, in close liaison with the hospice facilities management, to minimise disturbance to the patients, their families and medical staff wherever possible.