The Centre, part of Guy’s and St Thomas’ NHS Foundation Trust, has been built to provide more life-changing care to children and young people who don’t necessarily need to stay overnight. The project, delivered by construction company, Morgan Sindall, saw Gradus collaborate with Art in Site – a London-based studio of artists and designers, and ADP Architecture, to utilise wall cladding ‘to create a healing and engaging environment for the hospital’s young patients to thrive in’.
The space-themed designs were printed onto Gradus SureProtect Artworx cladding for an easy-to-maintain finish. The SureProtect range is specifically designed for areas where high cleanliness levels are crucial. Gradus says that the smooth surface makes SureProtect Artworx easy to wipe clean, while creating an impermeable barrier to moisture. The company said: “It also provides an ideal alternative to ceramic tiles, as there is no grouting, which can often harbour bacteria.
Alongside SureProtect, Gradus also supplied Stainless Steel Corner Guards throughout the Day Centre. Designed for use in areas likely to receive the most impact from pedestrians and wheeled traffic, the Stainless Steel Corner Guards are reportedly ‘hygienic, corrosion-resistant, and incredibly durable’.
Mitch Dean, Wall Protection National Sales manager, led Gradus’s contribution to the project, and said: “It was great to work so closely with the Client, Design and Construction team on this project to develop a solution for the Evelina London Children’s Day Treatment Centre. With their expertise in healing artwork, and our experience in wall protection, we were able to provide the hospital with an excellent solution that they were delighted with.”
Liz O’Sullivan, Arts Director at Guy’s and St Thomas’ NHS Foundation Trust said: “We’re delighted with the products Gradus supplied and installed – especially the bespoke wall cladding, which perfectly combines a stunning design with a hygienic, simple solution. Artwork has a significant role to play in creating a healing environment, and this is a perfect example of that.”
Louisa Williams, director of Art in Site, said: “It was so refreshing to work collaboratively with Mitch Dean and his team at Gradus. There was a real spirit of adventure and wanting to achieve the best for the client, and that gave us confidence when we were planning the project. Our production methodology of printing combined with ‘cnc marquetry’ was sophisticated and ambitious, but the Gradus team never let us down with its supply lines, and the colours were super to work with.”