Colchester General Hospital

Choosing an offsite solution reduced the programme time by six months, minimising disruption to patient care by allowing an existing ward building to remain in use until just days before the second phase of modules arrived.

Portakabin manufactured and fitted out the 148 steel-framed modules, measuring up to 14m long and 3.3m wide, at its facility in York. These were installed on site in two phases over a 17-day period.

A pre-installed concrete floor was used in every module. This high-performance floor is an innovative solution used for high-traffic areas and to accommodate sensitive hospital equipment.

Designed by Tangram Architects, the building has created an attractive and welcoming environment for staff and patients. It presents a striking architectural feature in a prominent location next to the hospital’s main entrance, with deeply articulated façades in a palette of materials.

The children’s department on the ground floor is arranged around two large central courtyards, which provide a protected play area and a sensory garden. Internally it features multi-coloured and patterned flooring, walls in bright colours, murals and a distinctive design for the reception and nurses’ station.