Maple’s 30th car park project has been completed at Birmingham’s City Hospital.
Less than a decade after our first car park façade, we’ve transformed the look of the 550-space multi-storey with perforated panels and expanded mesh. Together, they make a striking visual statement as well as allowing natural light and ventilation into the building.
It’s an appropriate landmark project for Maple – we delivered our first car park façade at another hospital, Addenbrookes in Cambridge. But technology and our in-house capability has advanced significantly since then. Specialist brackets fix the 745 anodised panels to all four elevations, achieving the exact ‘free space area’ required by the architect.
Each panel has also been designed and manufactured with a precise 70mm return on one side to create a subtle ‘wave’ profile on the façade, with light and shadow creating an ever-changing look throughout the day.
However, we also overcame practical challenges of working in a hospital environment, with noise constraints, busy roads and difficult access.
“Maple handled logistical and practical challenges between all parties very well,” said Ewan Forsyth, Development Director at estates developer Prime. “The result of this team effort is a hugely improved parking experience for staff, patients and visitors.”
The car park was developed by the Sandwell and West Birmingham NHS Trust in conjunction with its car parking operator, Q-Park, Prime and contractor VINCI Construction UK.
