Hopewood Park Hospital with Cambrian Slate

Award-winning Sunderland Hospital uses advanced Cambrian system to complement extraordinary site.
Cambrian Slate
Hopewood Park Hospital Cambrian Slate

The Project

A 122-bed inpatient facility in Ryhope, Sunderland, Hopewood Park Hospital was an ambitious project surrounded by captivating natural beauty. The aim of the roofing project was to fit in with the calming landscape and not appear overly clinical in order to support the recovery of psychiatric patients.

In keeping with the overall plan, which drew expertise from a wide variety of architects, surveyors and consultants, the end result made for a series of breath-taking images - capturing an ideal therapeutic environment.

  • Architect: Medical Architect

  • Product: BMI Redland Cambrian Slate in Slate Grey

  • Accreditations:  2015 RIBA Award and an Environmental Best Practice Gold Award.

The Challenge

The Challenge

The £40million Hopewood Park facility was designed to create a relaxing and non-clinical environment for patients and visitors. The design concept took inspiration from a riven valley cutting through the landscape to the sea, specifying natural and calming materials, and a focus on enjoying the natural setting. 

A key consideration for the architect when specifying the roof on the hospital was finding a solution that would save time by eliminating the need for scaffolding.

Hopewood - the challenge image

The Solution

The Solution

BMI Redland Cambrian Slate was chosen for its lightweight and classic natural slate aesthetic, as well as the fact that, as a full system, it could be built at ground level and craned into place without the need for scaffolding.  This both reduced disruption and also made installation simple, ensuring that project schedules were rigidly stuck to.

The slates had to be lightweight to make the process of vertical tiling as easy as possible and provide substantial wind resistance due to the site’s exposed North Sea location. 

Hopewood - the solution image

The Impact

The Impact

The state-of-the-art hospital is a feat of ingenuity and engineering, and the BMI Redland Cambrian Slate roof design represents a major step forward in modern building methods.

The roofing has a contemporary yet timeless aesthetic in keeping with the exceptional quality of the entire building. Since completion, Hopewood Park has won multiple awards, including a 2015 RIBA Award and an Environmental Best Practice Gold Award.

Hopewood - impact image

Cambrian Slate System

Cambrian Slate System

Cambrian Slate captures all the beauty and character of natural slate. Made from over 60%recycled Welsh slate, it leads the BMI Redland range in both looks and performance

A system designed for mono or duo pitched roofs, using Cambrian slates that is ideal for any new or refurbishment situation. The Cambrian slate provides a practical, durable and cost effective roofing solution for years to come.

Key Features and benefits

  • Riven surface and dressed edges

  • Peace of mind with complete system from one trusted supplier

  • Suitable for even the most exposed sites

  • Proven track record - even on pitches as low as 15 degrees

Cambrian system image