Tag Archives: Art in Healthcare

Hydrotherapy Pool, Royal United Hospital, Bath – new Therapies Centre

Draft Artwork: Interior with architectural glazed screens – Christopher Tipping
External draft artwork detail of the Hydrotherapy Pool. Image: Christopher Tipping

I was commissioned by Art at the Heart of the RUH in December 2017 to create artwork in response to the architectural glazing in the Hydrotherapy Pool room at the new Therapies Centre for the Royal United Hospital, Bath. These architectural glass panels are floor to ceiling glazed apertures with a combined 46.40 sq m of glass. I am working in collaboration with PROTO GLASS STUDIOS, Architectural Glass Decorators.

The project is being delivered by Kier Construction Ltd with Architects IBI Group

We have also been engaged with a large group of stakeholders, including staff and service users, some of whom have been are lifelong patients at the RNHRD & RUH. This is an ongoing process and we are taking everyone on the journey with us.

‘FLOW’

“Flow is active. It is not just the water, but it is the way our muscles are warmed and released, allowing blood to flow more freely. It is the freedom from stiffness of joints, when even a centimetre gained is a big triumph. It is active horizontally and not vertically. My spine is fully arthrosed and I cannot turn my head. This is a fundamental problem for AS patients and one of the big exercises in the pool and the gym is trying to turn and look over your shoulder without moving your body. That is flow. It is horizontal”. George Odam RNHRD Lifelong Patient with Ankylosing spondylitis (AS), speaking about his personal journey and experience of hydrotherapy treatment in 2017.

The Royal National Hospital for Rheumatic Diseases (RNHRD) and The Brownsword Therapies Centre (BTC)

The new RNHRD and BTC will be built close to the main entrance of the Royal United Hospital or RUH; it will be an outpatient centre providing treatment, care and education for patients to recover from episodes of illness or injury, or to manage their long-term condition. The new building will house many of the services currently located at the RNHRD (also known as The Mineral Hospital/ The Min) and the existing RUH therapies and pain management services located in RUH North, under one roof. The Centre will create a centralised and integrated space for staff to work collaboratively, delivering a holistic and patient-centred approach to care.

Old Hydrotherapy Pool, RUH Bath. Image: Christopher Tipping
Hydrotherapy Pool at The Royal Mineral Water Hospital, RNHRD, Bath, 2018. Image:Christopher Tipping
Rubber Ducks at the Hydrotherapy Pool at The Royal Mineral Water Hospital, RNHRD, Bath, 2018. Image: Christopher Tipping
Objects at the Hydrotherapy Pool at The Royal Mineral Water Hospital, RNHRD, Bath, 2018. Image: Christopher Tipping
Royal National Hospital for Rheumatic Diseases, Bath. Image: Christopher Tipping
Pediment of the Royal Mineral Water Hospital, Bath, aka The Min 2018. Image: Christopher Tipping

The Min, as the RNHRD is affectionately known, has a small Medical Museum situated in the Old Chapel.  It is a fascinating collection and curated and managed by a small group of dedicated and enthusiastic people, who allowed me access to the photographic Archives. This was very much appreciated.

‘In 2012 the Royal National Hospital for Rheumatic Diseases [The Mineral Hospital] opened a small museum to showcase their collection. Now, with the imminent closure of the hospital in the centre of Bath, our museum has been granted custody of the Collection of the Min, which includes records dating back to the 1740s, artefacts, the paintings and other pieces of art from around the Hospital, memorabilia, and photographs relating to rheumatology, medicine and pharmacy’

A Hubbard Tank was used for entire body treatments in Hydrotherapy. Image: Copyright & by kind permission of Bath Medical Museum, RNHRD
Patient taking a Nauheim effervescent bath, date unknown – Image: Copyright & by kind permission of Bath Medical Museum, RNHRD
Vichy spray massage treatment. Date unknown – Image: Copyright & by kind permission of Bath Medical Museum, RNHRD
Brass identity medallions worn by patients in the 18th Century. Image: Copyright & by kind permission of Bath Medical Museum, RNHRD

 

 

Dorset County Hospital – the new Cancer Unit Glazing Artwork

Image: Draft artwork with re-imagined stones by Christopher Tipping 2018

I have been commissioned to create artwork to be digitally printed onto optically clear vinyl for the external glazing of the new Cancer Unit at Dorset County Hospital. Dorset’s pioneering new cancer unit is under construction and is due to be delivered in 2018. It is being built and operated jointly by Poole and Dorset HospitalsMy approach has been framed by a research trip I made back in June 2008 to the Jurassic Coast World Heritage Site and to Dorchester Museums Archive Collections and the Natural History Museum in London.

Image: Christopher Tipping- Jurassic Coast Dorset 2008
Image: Christopher Tipping- Display Box of Microfossils, Dorset County Museum 2008
Image: Found objects and natural abstractions for Dorset County Hospital Cancer Unit by Christopher Tipping

Ten years ago I created artwork for wayfinding and inlaid bespoke floor coverings for the corridors of the main hospital buildings and also for Maiden Castle House, which provides Psychiatric Services for the Trust. This original body of work, completed in 2010 was considered a resonant starting point for this new project in 2018 and has been instrumental in underpinning the artwork created for the Cancer Unit.

Alex Coulter, former Arts Manager, Arts in Hospital writing in 2008 said –

‘The artist, Chris Tipping, researched and recorded geological structures, fossils and land forms along the Jurassic coast as the basis for his designs. He made drawings on the coast and in Dorset County Museum’s collections and talked to geologists based at Southampton University to help inform his ideas.  Chris was interested in the idea that the floors in the hospital could be interpreted as the layers or strata of the coast with fossil like patterns embedded in them and fragments and elements emerging where different layers meet. They are inlaid into the floor at key areas such as lift thresholds and at the top of staircases to help with wayfinding while smaller elements break up long expanses of corridor. It was Chris’s idea to curve the edges of the flooring and to reveal sections of designs rather as you might see a fragment in the cliff. The technology used is sophisticated with laser cutting creating elements which fit together with no need for sealant in-between. His designs enliven what would otherwise be vast expanses of plain flooring and contribute to making the hospital environment more stimulating and appealing for patients – a healing environment’.

 

The following text was taken from the 2018 project brief by Alex Murdin, Arts Manager, Arts in Hospital, at Dorset County Hospital.

‘Initial consultation with patients and staff suggested that the theme of the Cancer Unit artworks should evolve around nature and light, “Letting in the Light”. Medical and psychological evidence is strong that natural images, textures, patterns and light are all beneficial for wellbeing and recovery . Contact with Nature has been reported to have psychological benefits by reducing stress, improving attention, by having a positive effect on mental restoration, and by coping with attention deficits.

Natural light is important to healing and wellbeing and patients with views of open spaces get better faster. As the views from the new Cancer Unit will be limited to other hospital buildings and urban Dorchester, art can provide an alternative view for patients through translucent imagery of landscape and natural forms on windows. The window vinyls must in any case screen off views of the interior from outside by passers-by and occupiers of adjacent buildings, as necessary for patient’s actual and perceived privacy and confidentiality without the need for blinds and the accompanying loss of light’.

Dorset’s pioneering new cancer unit is under construction and due to be delivered in 2018 is being built and operated jointly by Poole and Dorset Hospitals. It will deliver world class health care for our local communities. The project will develop cancer facilities for patients all across Dorset and bring radiotherapy services to Dorchester for the first time. The new facilities will be life-changing, particularly for people who have previously had to travel long distances for radiotherapy services in Poole.

The unit will serve people of all ages, who have been diagnosed with cancer as well as their families. Patients who use this service are likely to be distressed and for some people, they may be living with a terminal diagnosis. The unit will be home to new linear accelerators (LINAC) – the device most commonly used for external beam radiation treatments for patients with cancer. It will be a multi-functional space offering life changing radiotherapy, consulting rooms and counselling rooms. The unit will also be used by support groups. The unit is being funded Dorset County Hospital Charity, Dorset County Hospital NHS Foundation Trust (DCHFT), Poole Hospital NHS Foundation Trust and with a major legacy from the photographer Robert White, a local man who died from cancer in 2015′. 

Image: Draft Artwork for Dorset County Hospital Cancer Unit by Christopher Tipping
Image: Draft Artwork – Found & re-imagined stones for Dorset County Hospital Cancer Unit by Christopher Tipping
Image: Draft artwork for Dorset County Hospital Cancer Unit by Christopher Tipping

 

 

A different view …

Some brilliant new images of my project for the new Macmillan Unit at Tameside & Glossop Integrated Care NHS Foundation Trust  have come to light. It is always refreshing to see how others see your work & the space it was created for. In this instance I was very kindly given permission by Mike Hearle, European Digital Marketing Manager for Construction Specialties – to use images from their website. Construction Specialities supplied and installed the solid timber handrails running through the unit.  Take a look …the artwork was digitally printed and installed by VGL. The project was delivered by IBI Group Architects and Willis Newson, the UK’s leading arts and health consultancy.

Tameside Hospital New Macmillan Unit. Artwork by Christopher Tipping. Image by kind permission of Construction Specialities
Tameside Hospital New Macmillan Unit. Artwork by Christopher Tipping. Image by kind permission of Construction Specialities
Tameside Hospital New Macmillan Unit. Artwork by Christopher Tipping. Image by kind permission of Construction Specialities
Tameside Hospital New Macmillan Unit. Artwork by Christopher Tipping. Image by kind permission of Construction Specialities
Tameside Hospital New Macmillan Unit. Artwork by Christopher Tipping. Image by kind permission of Construction Specialities
Tameside Hospital New Macmillan Unit. Artwork by Christopher Tipping. Image by kind permission of Construction Specialities
Tameside Hospital New Macmillan Unit. Artwork by Christopher Tipping. Image by kind permission of Construction Specialities
Tameside Hospital New Macmillan Unit. Artwork by Christopher Tipping. Image by kind permission of Construction Specialities
Tameside Hospital New Macmillan Unit. Artwork by Christopher Tipping. Image by kind permission of Construction Specialities
Tameside Hospital New Macmillan Unit. Artwork by Christopher Tipping. Image by kind permission of Construction Specialities

Littlemore Mental Health Centre – Detailed Design

Thursday 4th May 2017 – 

Draft Artwork: Littlemore Mental Health Centre. Artist: Christopher Tipping

Draft artwork awaiting approval to go into production – we are working with our client team to review / comment and approve in the next few days so we can meet our install schedule.

 

Draft Artwork: Littlemore Mental Health Centre. Artist: Christopher Tipping

At this stage I set all the imagery against a black background – which actually indicates glazing with no printing – just clear glass.

This work will be digitally printed onto optically clear vinyl. The process allows for a layer of colour, followed by a layer of white and finally another layer of colour. The artwork can be read equally from both viewing sides – inside or outside the building. The production level artwork files, sampling and final digital printing and installation is done by my long-time collaborators, Vinyl Graphics Ltd.

Draft Artwork: Littlemore Mental Health Centre. Artist: Christopher Tipping
Draft Artwork: Littlemore Mental Health Centre. Artist: Christopher Tipping

Various degrees of opacity and transparency are designed into the artwork. As a rule this is worked out via single colour files – in this case magenta – which clearly indicate degrees of opacity.

Draft Magenta Artwork: Littlemore Mental Health Centre. Artist: Christopher Tipping
Draft Magenta Artwork: Littlemore Mental Health Centre. Artist: Christopher Tipping
Draft Magenta Artwork: Littlemore Mental Health Centre. Artist: Christopher Tipping
Draft Artwork: Littlemore Mental Health Centre. Artist: Christopher Tipping
Draft Artwork: Littlemore Mental Health Centre. Artist: Christopher Tipping
Draft Artwork: Littlemore Mental Health Centre. Artist: Christopher Tipping

Littlemore Mental Health Centre, Oxford

Project Update – 20th April 2017 

Mental Health Services at Littlemore Mental Health Centre, are directed and managed by Oxford Health NHS Foundation Trust .

This arts in health project was commissioned for Wenric Ward , which provides Low Secure Adult Services  – by Tom Cox of Artscape and the Staff of Wenric Ward.

Information about the history of the earlier Littlemore Hospital in Oxford can be accessed via this link to the Oxfordshire Health Archives  and to the accompanying site about County Asylums 

Tom worked alongside Occupational Therapists Helen Keay (Senior OT) and Holly Williams, in collaborating with patients, to undertake a series of workshops centred around drawing and mark making. I was subsequently provided with access to these drawings as inspiration for the artwork, using where possible, drawing motifs, textures and colours which formed part of the outcome from the creative sessions.

The project site is created within the internal circulation space of the Ward, centred around a small external courtyard. Artwork will be digitally printed onto optically clear vinyl and applied to the glazing, which provides views into the courtyard. The artwork has been commissioned to be applied on three sides of the courtyard glazing taking in the Circulation Corridor, Lounge and Multi-Faith Room, animating the space, introducing colour and detail and to visually engage patients and staff.

 

Draft Artwork for Wenric Ward, Littlemore Mental Health Unit, Oxford. Artist: Christopher Tipping
Draft Artwork for Wenric Ward, Littlemore Mental Health Unit, Oxford. Artist: Christopher Tipping
Draft Artwork for Wenric Ward, Littlemore Mental Health Unit, Oxford. Artist: Christopher Tipping
Draft Artwork for Wenric Ward, Littlemore Mental Health Unit, Oxford. Artist: Christopher Tipping
Draft Artwork for Wenric Ward, Littlemore Mental Health Unit, Oxford. Artist: Christopher Tipping
Draft Artwork for Wenric Ward, Littlemore Mental Health Unit, Oxford. Artist: Christopher Tipping
Draft Artwork for Wenric Ward, Littlemore Mental Health Unit, Oxford. Artist: Christopher Tipping
Draft Artwork for Wenric Ward, Littlemore Mental Health Unit, Oxford. Artist: Christopher Tipping
Draft Artwork for Wenric Ward, Littlemore Mental Health Unit, Oxford. Artist: Christopher Tipping
Draft Artwork for Wenric Ward, Littlemore Mental Health Unit, Oxford. Artist: Christopher Tipping

Tameside Hospital New Macmillan Unit – Part 2

The Chemotherapy Treatment Room. During my last visit to site on 13th March 2017 – I was really interested to see how the creative concept for the project had been applied in the Chemotherapy Treatment Room – a state of the art, 6 chair Chemotherapy Suite.

The artwork was to be applied to the adjustable privacy screens adjacent to each chair. The work forms a continuous landscape, divided into 6 sections, which will be continually re-arranged to present new combinations as the screens are used throughout the day.

These screens were manufactured and installed by Kwickscreen. 

The Christie Hospital has also launched a 3 day a week chemotherapy service at the new £1.8m Macmillan Unit.

Tameside Macmillan Unit.  Willis Newson. IBI Group Architects. John Turner Construction Group

 

Interior of the Chemotherapy Suite at the New Macmillan Unit, showing artwork applied to the privacy screens. Project Artist: Christopher Tipping
Interior of the Chemotherapy Suite at the New Macmillan Unit, showing artwork applied to the privacy screens. Project Artist: Christopher Tipping
Interior of the Chemotherapy Suite at the New Macmillan Unit, showing artwork applied to the privacy screens. Project Artist: Christopher Tipping
Interior of the Chemotherapy Suite at the New Macmillan Unit, showing artwork applied to the privacy screens. Project Artist: Christopher Tipping
Interior of the Chemotherapy Suite at the New Macmillan Unit, showing artwork applied to the privacy screens. Project Artist: Christopher Tipping
Interior of the Chemotherapy Suite at the New Macmillan Unit, showing artwork applied to the privacy screens. Project Artist: Christopher Tipping
Interior of the Chemotherapy Suite at the New Macmillan Unit, showing artwork applied to the privacy screens. Project Artist: Christopher Tipping
Interior of the Chemotherapy Suite at the New Macmillan Unit, showing artwork applied to the privacy screens. Project Artist: Christopher Tipping
Interior of the Chemotherapy Suite at the New Macmillan Unit, showing artwork applied to the privacy screens. Project Artist: Christopher Tipping
Interior of the Chemotherapy Suite at the New Macmillan Unit, showing artwork applied to the privacy screens. Project Artist: Christopher Tipping
Interior of the Chemotherapy Suite at the New Macmillan Unit, showing artwork applied to the privacy screens. Project Artist: Christopher Tipping

 

Tameside Hospital New Macmillan Unit – Part 1

I made my last visit to site on 13th March 2017 – to see the artworks fully installed. The interiors throughout the new unit are all completed, fully furnished and operational and the first clinics were to be held the very next day. Tameside Macmillan Unit  Willis Newson

No more words – only images –

Interior detail of the New Macmillan Unit at Tameside Hospital – Project Artist: Christopher Tipping
Interior detail of the New Macmillan Unit, showing the main corridor bespoke wallcovering. Project Artist: Christopher Tipping
Interior of the New Macmillan Unit, showing a detail of the main corridor bespoke wall covering. Project Artist: Christopher Tipping
Interior of the New Macmillan Unit, showing a detail of the main corridor bespoke wall covering. Project Artist: Christopher Tipping
Interior of the New Macmillan Unit, showing a detail of the main corridor bespoke wall covering & timber handrail. Project Artist: Christopher Tipping
Interior of the New Macmillan Unit, showing a detail of the main corridor bespoke wall covering. Project Artist: Christopher Tipping
Interior of the New Macmillan Unit, showing a detail of the main corridor bespoke wall covering. Project Artist: Christopher Tipping
Interior of the New Macmillan Unit, showing a detail of the main corridor bespoke wall covering. Project Artist: Christopher Tipping
Interior of the New Macmillan Unit, showing a detail of the main corridor bespoke wall covering. Project Artist: Christopher Tipping
Interior of the New Macmillan Unit, showing a detail of the main corridor bespoke wall covering & solid timber handrail. Project Artist: Christopher Tipping
Interior of the New Macmillan Unit, showing a detail of the main corridor bespoke wall covering & solid timber handrail. Project Artist: Christopher Tipping
Interior of the New Macmillan Unit, showing a detail of the main corridor bespoke wall covering. Project Artist: Christopher Tipping
Interior of the New Macmillan Unit, showing a detail of the main corridor bespoke wall covering. Project Artist: Christopher Tipping
Interior of the New Macmillan Unit, showing a detail of the main corridor bespoke wall covering. Project Artist: Christopher Tipping
Interior of the New Macmillan Unit, showing a detail of the main corridor bespoke wall covering. Project Artist: Christopher Tipping
Interior of the New Macmillan Unit, showing a detail of the main corridor bespoke wall covering. Project Artist: Christopher Tipping
Interior of the New Macmillan Unit, showing a detail of the main corridor bespoke wall covering. Project Artist: Christopher Tipping
Interior of the New Macmillan Unit, showing a detail of the main corridor bespoke wall covering. Project Artist: Christopher Tipping
Interior of the New Macmillan Unit, showing a detail of the main corridor bespoke wall covering. Project Artist: Christopher Tipping
Interior of the New Macmillan Unit, showing a detail of the main corridor bespoke wall covering. Project Artist: Christopher Tipping
Interior of the New Macmillan Unit, showing a detail of the main corridor bespoke wall covering as seen through the laminated glazed screens. Project Artist: Christopher Tipping
Interior of the New Macmillan Unit, showing a detail of the main corridor bespoke wall covering as seen through the laminated glazed screens. Project Artist: Christopher Tipping
Interior of the New Macmillan Unit, showing a detail of the main corridor bespoke wall covering as seen through the laminated glazed screens. Project Artist: Christopher Tipping
Interior of the New Macmillan Unit, showing a detail of the main corridor bespoke wall covering as seen through the laminated glazed screens. Project Artist: Christopher Tipping
Interior of the New Macmillan Unit, showing a detail of the main corridor bespoke wall covering as seen through the laminated glazed screens. Project Artist: Christopher Tipping
Interior of the New Macmillan Unit, showing a detail of the main corridor bespoke wall covering as seen through the laminated glazed screens. Project Artist: Christopher Tipping
Interior of the New Macmillan Unit, showing a detail of the main corridor bespoke wall covering as seen through the laminated glazed screens. Project Artist: Christopher Tipping
Interior of the New Macmillan Unit, showing a detail of the external glazing artworks. Project Artist: Christopher Tipping
Interior of the New Macmillan Unit, showing a detail of the external glazing artworks. Project Artist: Christopher Tipping
Interior of the New Macmillan Unit, showing a detail of the external glazing artworks. Project Artist: Christopher Tipping
Interior of the New Macmillan Unit, showing a detail of the external glazing artworks. Project Artist: Christopher Tipping
Interior of the New Macmillan Unit, showing a detail of the external glazing artworks. Project Artist: Christopher Tipping
Interior of the New Macmillan Unit, showing a detail of the external glazing artworks. Project Artist: Christopher Tipping

Main Corridor Artwork … nearly there !

17th January 2017

New Macmillan Unit for Tameside& Glossop Integrated Care NHS Foundation Trust

I know that this has been a rather long session of recent postings – but I am in ‘catch-up’ mode and before the new unit opens I wanted to get as much of the project documented, so bear with me if you can !

Detail: digitally printed large scale corridor Wallcovering. New Macmillan Unit. Image: Bronwen Gwillim

By far the most visible of the installations being delivered is the large scale bespoke ‘landscape’ running the length of the new corridor space. This artwork is not a linear narrative, so can be experienced from whatever direction you are walking in. It isn’t a conventional landscape either, with a foreground, horizon and expansive sky. It may have elements of this about it – BUT, the original walk I made with Stewart Ramsden into the Landscape of Tameside was only the beginning of a creative process and the development of a descriptive iconography which could help to tell a story about a journey.

Detail: digitally printed large scale corridor Wallcovering. New Macmillan Unit. Image: Bronwen Gwillim
Close up detail: digitally printed large scale corridor Wallcovering. New Macmillan Unit. Image: Bronwen Gwillim

The artwork was developed, manufactured and installed by VGL Ltd. The work is printed onto Dreamscape Suede Wallcovering which has a Poly Cotton fabric backing.

The design work was extensively sampled, with sample installations being carried out at the Hospital –  as you can see from the following images. Where necessary the design was then tweaked to fit following comments before finally being approved for full printing and manufacture.

Main Corridor to the New Macmillan Unit by IBI Group Architects prior to the installation of the artworks. Image: Bronwen Gwillim
The detail strips of artwork , shown here in red, were to be sample printed by VGL at full scale for discussion and approval. Image: Christopher Tipping
The detail strips of artwork , shown here in red, were to be sample printed by VGL at full scale for discussion and approval. Image: Christopher Tipping
Full scale strip samples of the corridor wallcovering arrived at the studio for review. Image: Christopher Tipping
Full scale strip samples of the corridor wallcovering arrived at the studio for review. Image: Christopher Tipping
Full scale strip samples of the corridor wallcovering arrived at the studio for review. Image: Christopher Tipping
Full scale strip samples of the corridor wallcovering arrived at the studio for review. Image: Christopher Tipping

Following approval of the strip samples, a full scale print run started and was installed on site for further comment and review / approval.

Installation of the full scale corridor artwork begins on site. Image: Gareth Llewellyn
Installation of the full scale corridor artwork begins on site. Image: Gareth Llewellyn
Installation of the full scale corridor artwork begins on site. Image: Gareth Llewellyn
Installation of the full scale corridor artwork begins on site. Image: Gareth Llewellyn
Installation of the full scale corridor artwork begins on site. Image: Gareth Llewellyn
Installation of the full scale corridor artwork begins on site. Image: Gareth Llewellyn
Installation of the full scale corridor artwork begins on site. Image: Gareth Llewellyn
Installation of the full scale corridor artwork begins on site. Image: Bronwen Gwillim
Installation of the full scale corridor artwork begins on site. Image: Bronwen Gwillim
Installation of the full scale corridor artwork begins on site. Image: Bronwen Gwillim
Installation of the full scale corridor artwork begins on site. Image: Bronwen Gwillim
Installation of the full scale corridor artwork begins on site. Image: Bronwen Gwillim
Installation of the full scale corridor artwork begins on site. Image: Bronwen Gwillim
Installation of the full scale corridor artwork begins on site. Image: Bronwen Gwillim
Installation of the full scale corridor artwork begins on site. Image: Bronwen Gwillim
Installation of the full scale corridor artwork begins on site. Image: Bronwen Gwillim
Installation of the full scale corridor artwork begins on site. Image: Bronwen Gwillim

Glazed Partition Screens …

Interior detail of the New Macmillan Unit, showing the Timber Partition Screens following the installation of the glazed panels. Artist: Christopher Tipping. Image: The Printed Film Company
Detail of one of the Glazed Partition Screens against a backdrop of the printed wallcovering. Image: Bronwen Gwillim

The artwork proposals extend to and include a series of glazed partition screens situated along one side of the main corridor, opposite the large-scale bespoke wallcovering, which itself acts as a grand backdrop to the new unit. The screens however, can be viewed from both sides, extending the reach of the artwork, which becomes something of a ‘theatre in the round’, presenting multiple viewing points and visual ‘conversations’ & interplay, not only with the artwork, but with the wider architectural scheme and interiors. The brief called for these screens to have the artwork encapsulated as a printed laminate between layers of safety glass. I collaborated with both VGL and The Printed Film Company on this element of the work.

The Printed Film Company described their brief as:

“We were asked to supply decorative laminated safety glass partitions in the main corridor; 6mm + 6mm low iron toughened glass, PVB laminated encapsulating our optically clear PET interlayer, on which we digitally printed the required designs to give pleasing environmental visuals along with manifestation. We procured the glass, printed the interlayer’s and managed the lamination process before delivering the laminated panels to site for installation”.

There are some lovely images of the work on their website –

The glazing panels were fitted into timber frames by the Macmillan Project main contractors, John Turner Construction Group

Draft design for glazed partition screen to main corridor. Image: Christopher Tipping
Draft design for glazed partition screen to main corridor. Image: Christopher Tipping
Interior detail of the New Macmillan Unit, showing the Timber Partition Screens prior to the installation of the glazed panels. Image: Bronwen Gwillim
Interior detail of the New Macmillan Unit, showing the Timber Partition Screens following the installation of the glazed panels. Artist: Christopher Tipping. Image: The Printed Film Company
Interior detail of the New Macmillan Unit, showing the Timber Partition Screens following the installation of the glazed panels. Artist: Christopher Tipping. Image: The Printed Film Company
Interior detail of the New Macmillan Unit, showing the Timber Partition Screens following the installation of the glazed panels. Image: Bronwen Gwillim
Interior detail of the New Macmillan Unit, showing the Timber Partition Screens prior to the installation of the glazed panels. Image: Bronwen Gwillim
Interior detail of the New Macmillan Unit, showing the Timber Partition Screens following the installation of the glazed panels. Image: Bronwen Gwillim

This image also shows the print-white vinyl manifestations applied to the external glazing. These panels provided a much needed interface between the interior paces and the black brick wall outside.

Draft design for 2 glazed partition screens to the main corridor. Image: Christopher Tipping
Draft designs for 4 glazed partition screens to the main corridor. Image: Christopher Tipping

Areas of optically clear glazing, with no artwork are shown here – images above and below – in black.

Draft designs for 2 glazed partition screens to the main corridor. Image: Christopher Tipping
Production design draft for 4 glazed partition screens to the main corridor. Image: VGL

This colour image forms part of the production design detailing and indicates – via darker and lighter magenta tones, the opacity and translucency of a white interlayer, which has colour printed on both sides. The darker the tone, the more opaque the colour.

Production design technical draft for 4 glazed partition screens to the main corridor. Image: The Printed Film Co

The image above, illustrates the same process described earlier whereby the print-white layer creates the opacity and transparency of the final colour artwork – in this instance the degrees of print-white are indicated in shades of blue.

A wide range of samples were produced to achieve the right balance of translucent and opaque colour.

Production related design samples design for glazed partition screens to the main corridor. Image: Christopher Tipping
Production related glass design samples by The Printed Film Company for the glazed partition screens to the main corridor. Image: Bronwen Gwillim
Production related glass design samples by The Printed Film Company for the glazed partition screens to the main corridor. Image: Bronwen Gwillim
Detail of one of the Glazed Partition Screens against a backdrop of the printed wallcovering. Image: Bronwen Gwillim
Detail of one of the Glazed Partition Screens against a backdrop of the printed wallcovering. Image: Bronwen Gwillim

 

 

Chemotherapy Treatment Room

16th January 2017

Draft design for the Tameside ‘landscape’ of 5 interrelated & double-sided retractable privacy screens in the Chemotherapy Treatment Room. Image: Christopher Tipping

The Chemotherapy Treatment Room within the New Macmillan Unit at Tameside and Glossop Integrated Care NHS Foundation Trust will feature five retractable ‘pull-out’ privacy screens manufactured by Kwickscreen, onto which artwork can be digitally printed. The flexible material for printing is an opaque, but translucent (if that makes sense!) crisp white vinyl. We have proposed a series of artworks inspired by the theme originally drawn out in the main corridor artwork & also by the new planting and design of the adjacent external courtyard designed by Olivia Kirk Gardens. The large windows of the Treatment Room face directly into this newly refurbished and planted space.

It is unlikely that all the screens will be drawn out at the same time…what is more likely is that smaller sections of each screen may be visible at various times, creating an ever changing backdrop to the activity in the room.

A draft design for the Chemotherapy Treatment Room retractable privacy screen. Image: Kwickscreen / Christopher Tipping
Plan Drawing – A draft design for the 5 screens in the Chemotherapy Treatment Room featuring retractable privacy screens. Image: Christopher Tipping / IBI Group Architects
Draft design for the 5 double sided retractable privacy screens in the Chemotherapy Treatment Room. Image: Christopher Tipping
1 of 5 – ‘Tameside Landscape’ of interrelated & double-sided retractable privacy screens in the Chemotherapy Treatment Room. Image: Christopher Tipping
2 of 5 – ‘Tameside Landscape’ of interrelated & double-sided retractable privacy screens in the Chemotherapy Treatment Room. Image: Christopher Tipping
3 of 5 – ‘Tameside Landscape’ of interrelated & double-sided retractable privacy screens in the Chemotherapy Treatment Room. Image: Christopher Tipping
4 of 5 – ‘Tameside Landscape’ of interrelated & double-sided retractable privacy screens in the Chemotherapy Treatment Room. Image: Christopher Tipping
5 of 5 – ‘Tameside Landscape’ of interrelated & double-sided retractable privacy screens in the Chemotherapy Treatment Room. Image: Christopher Tipping