Antrim Area Hospital

Doran Consulting provided both the civil and structural engineering services for this 300-bed hospital which was built in a green field site, for the Health Estates Agency.

The structural scheme adopted for the hospital was the Nucleus concept, adapted to accommodate 3-storey height construction. In situ reinforced concrete was used up to eaves level, with structural steelwork and timber being used in the pitched roof construction.

The reinforced concrete design benefited from the modular planning concept and variations from the structural arrangement adopted were minimal. A key feature of the design was the use of a structural ceiling grid at eaves level. This grid not only supports services but also provides substantial restraint to the top of the partition studding.

The scheme had a 30 month design period, a 36 month construction period and the contract was procured using the traditional tender route. During construction, a new Area Laboratory Block was added to the contract.

The hospital was opened on the due date and was within budget, despite the main contractor having to be replaced late in the contract, when the parent company went into receivership.