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Overview
Evelina London Children’s Hospital, part of Guy’s & St Thomas’ NHS Foundation Trust, is one of the UK’s leading specialist hospitals for children’s healthcare. Located near Westminster Bridge in central London, the hospital serves thousands of patients every year and operates continuously as a critical healthcare facility.
At the heart of the Evelina wing sits a large glazed atrium structure that brings natural light deep into the building, creating a welcoming and calming environment for patients, families, and staff. Over time, however, the atrium glazing required replacement to address water ingress and ensure long-term weather performance.
Structura was appointed to deliver the atrium glazing replacement works. The project involved removing and replacing hundreds of glazing units while ensuring the hospital could continue operating safely throughout the installation.
The project required precise planning, specialist engineering, and careful coordination within a live hospital environment. The result was a fully refurbished atrium roof system that delivers improved weather protection and long-term performance for one of London’s most important healthcare facilities.
Details
Client:
Gleeson
Location:
Westminster Bridge Rd, London
Principle Contractor:
Structura UK Ltd
Consultant:
Montresor Partnership
Project Metrics
The Evelina Children’s Hospital atrium glazing project involved several significant engineering and installation achievements:
- 670 double-glazed units installed
- Each unit weighing approximately 220 kg
- Specialist scaffolding designed inside and outside the building
- Movable temporary roof system with integrated lift rails
- Hospital operations maintained throughout the installation
- 12-year warranty on the completed glazing system
These metrics highlight the scale and complexity of the project as well as the technical expertise required to deliver it successfully.
The Challenge
Replacing glazing within an operational hospital environment presents several complex challenges. The Evelina Children’s Hospital atrium project required a solution that could resolve existing performance issues while maintaining safety for patients, visitors, and hospital staff. Several key challenges had to be addressed.
Eliminating Water Ingress
The primary objective of the project was to resolve issues with the existing atrium glazing system and deliver a fully weather-tight roof structure. Atrium glazing systems are exposed to constant environmental conditions including rain and wind loading, temperature fluctuations, and structural movement over time. Over many years of operation, these factors can affect seals and glazing performance. Ensuring the replacement system delivered long-term weather resistance was a critical requirement for the hospital.
Working Within a Live Hospital Environment
Evelina Children’s Hospital operates around the clock, providing essential care to patients. This meant the atrium glazing works had to be carried out without disrupting hospital operations. Key operational considerations included maintaining safe access routes for patients and staff, protecting sensitive hospital environments from construction activity, minimising noise and disruption within clinical areas, and ensuring hospital facilities, including hospital radio operations, could continue safely. Construction within healthcare environments requires careful coordination and strict adherence to safety protocols.
Handling Large and Heavy Glazing Units
The new glazing system required the installation of 670 double-glazed units, each weighing approximately 220 kilograms. Handling glass units of this size and weight inside a hospital environment requires specialist lifting strategies and carefully designed access systems. Every unit needed to be installed safely and accurately while protecting both workers and building occupants.
Providing Temporary Weather Protection During Installation
Replacing an atrium roof presents an additional challenge: the building must remain protected from weather while glazing panels are removed and replaced. Without proper temporary protection, interior areas could be exposed to rain and environmental conditions during the installation process. This meant the project required an engineered temporary roof system that could be installed, moved, and adapted as glazing units were replaced.
Structura’s Solution
Structura delivered a comprehensive engineering and installation strategy to address the project’s technical and operational challenges. The approach focused on safe installation, careful sequencing of works, and innovative temporary protection systems to ensure the hospital environment remained operational throughout the project.
Specialist Scaffolding Design
To provide safe access for installation teams, Structura designed and installed a bespoke scaffolding system both inside and outside the building. This scaffolding system allowed technicians to safely remove and install glazing units at height while maintaining safe separation between construction activities and hospital occupants.
The scaffolding design ensured safe working conditions for installation teams, continued access for hospital staff and visitors, and protection for internal hospital spaces during construction works. Careful planning allowed the scaffolding structure to integrate with the hospital environment while minimising disruption.
Movable Temporary Roof System
One of the most important engineering solutions developed for the project was a movable temporary roof structure. This temporary roof system provided weather protection during the glazing replacement process. As each section of the atrium roof was replaced, the temporary structure could be repositioned to cover the active work area.
The temporary roof incorporated lift rails, allowing glazing units to be safely moved into position and installed efficiently. This solution ensured the building remained protected from weather conditions while allowing the installation teams to carry out their work safely.
Installation of High-Performance Double-Glazed Units
The core component of the project involved installing 670 new high-performance double-glazed units. Each glazing panel weighed approximately 220 kilograms, requiring precise coordination between lifting equipment, scaffolding systems, and installation teams.
The glazing units were installed sequentially across the atrium structure to ensure consistent alignment and weatherproof sealing. The new glazing system was designed to deliver improved durability and long-term performance while maintaining the architectural design of the atrium.
Careful Coordination with Hospital Operations
Throughout the project, Structura worked closely with the hospital trust to ensure that construction activities did not interfere with the hospital’s daily operations. This coordination included:
- Scheduling works to minimise disruption to clinical areas
- Maintaining safe access routes for staff and visitors
- Protecting sensitive hospital environments during installation
Even the hospital’s internal radio operations continued to function safely during the construction works. Delivering construction projects within healthcare facilities requires careful planning and communication, and the project team ensured that all activities were carried out safely and efficiently.
Project Results
The atrium glazing replacement at Evelina London Children’s Hospital successfully delivered a weather-tight roof system while maintaining full hospital operations throughout the project. The completed installation provides improved building performance and long-term reliability for the hospital’s central atrium space.
Fully Refurbished Atrium Roof
The installation of 670 new double-glazed units has transformed the atrium roof, ensuring improved weather resistance and long-term durability. The upgraded glazing system eliminates previous issues with water ingress and provides a robust roofing structure designed to withstand environmental conditions. The atrium continues to provide natural light to the hospital’s internal spaces while offering improved protection from the elements.
Minimal Disruption to Hospital Operations
One of the project’s most significant achievements was the ability to complete the work while the hospital remained fully operational. Through careful planning and engineering solutions such as the movable temporary roof and bespoke scaffolding system, the project team ensured that patients, staff, and visitors could continue using the hospital safely. This approach allowed critical healthcare services to continue uninterrupted during the installation works.
Improved Long-Term Performance
The high-performance glazing system installed during the project provides enhanced durability and long-term weather protection. The completed installation carries a 12-year warranty, giving the hospital trust confidence in the long-term reliability of the atrium roof system. Modern glazing systems also provide improved sealing performance, reducing the risk of future maintenance issues.
Delivering Complex Glazing Projects in Operational Buildings
Projects like the Evelina Children’s Hospital atrium refurbishment demonstrate the importance of specialist façade engineering and installation expertise. Working within operational environments such as hospitals requires careful planning and coordination, innovative temporary protection systems, specialist lifting and installation strategies, and strict safety standards. Structura’s experience in delivering complex glazing and façade projects ensures that even challenging environments can be upgraded safely and efficiently.
Structura’s Expertise in Specialist Glazing Projects
Structura provides specialist façade engineering and glazing installation services across the UK. The company works with contractors, developers, and building owners on projects, including atrium glazing systems, curtain wall installations, façade refurbishments, skylights and structural glass features, and complex glazing installations in operational buildings. Each project combines technical expertise with careful planning to ensure high-performance building envelopes that deliver long-term reliability.