Special Projects Award: Chase Farm Hospital, Enfield

British Parking Awards 2021

The multi-storey car park serving the Chase Farm Hospital in Enfield, North London, has been given a new lease of life by the Royal Free NHS Foundation Trust. StructureCare was appointed as main contractor for the refurbishment of multi-storey car park following a competitive single stage tender process managed by WT Partnership.

The multi-storey car park at Chase Farm Hospital provides approximately 520 spaces. It is a key component of the trust’s travel plan for the site, both facilitating ease of access for patients and visitors travelling by car and supporting recruitment and retention by enabling staff to park conveniently on-site.

The car park is a concrete frame structure built during the 1970s. No significant refurbishment had been undertaken since construction, which meant the project was a complete overhaul. The scope of works included: concrete repairs; sacrificial anodes; deck and roof coatings; bus lane alteration works; application of anti-carbonation coatings; movement joint replacement; lighting, fire and CCTV upgrades; signage and stair core overhaul.

As part of the works the trust wanted to improve the energy efficiency of the car park whilst also improving the usability. StructureCare recommended the installation of GTB65 LED luminaires and the Eye-Wi, a fully automated wireless control system that utilises wireless integration to reduce light outputs and set additional control parameters with an integrated low height/high height sensor. An additional benefit to the system is that it allows all luminaires to self-monitor and produce annual usage reports.

A purpose-built cycle store was designed and built to provide secure storage for up to 20 bicycles.

A particular challenge faced on this project saw StructureCare tasked with providing a more suitable, maintenance free solution to the outside perimeters of the car park. The structure’s now overgrown planters, which wrap around the edge of the car park, were deemed a maintenance headache for the trust. In order to resolve this, StructureCare removed 1,200 tonnes of soil and vegetation. To complete the planter overhaul, StructureCare was tasked with colour matching the bricks with the new hospital buildings’ ‘brick slip’ cladding located 50 metres away.

Ben Hallett, StructureCare director, says: “It is meticulous details such as this that distinguishes this refurbishment project from others. The MSCP is now clean and striking when you enter the hospital site and gives the site an integrated homogenous feel as if the buildings were constructed at the same time.”