EDITOR ’ S CHOICE
MULTI-STOREY CAR PARK FOR DORSET COUNTY HOSPITAL
Dorset County Hospital is located just outside Dorchester town centre . This modern hospital provides a full range of district general services , including an accident and emergency department , and links with satellite units in five community hospitals . As the main provider of acute hospital services to a population of around 300,000 , ample parking space is required at all times . It was decided that a multi-storey car park ( MSCP ) should be built to keep pace with demand . Due to new and stricter public regulations combined with the desire for aesthetic freedom , the task presented several challenges .
The design and construction of multi-storey car parks are receiving a lot of attention in the UK . It gives status to develop aesthetic garages and prizes are awarded every year for the best MSCP architecture – RMIG Solutions has contributed to many significant projects within this field . At the same time , the regulations and legislation for MSCPs are being tightened all the time in the UK . This applies to the guidelines for light and ventilation , and to a large extent to the rules for fire safety .
RMIG Solutions joined the project at an early stage and their experience and expertise within this field was a great advantage , enabling those involved to find the best possible solution . After a public vote , three images from the beautiful Dorset countryside had been selected for illustration on the facade , and had to be processed so that the perforated pattern creating the images could meet the requirements for open areas for light and ventilation . The images were successfully processed and the results were remarkable ! Through a bit of wizardry , it was possible to change the photos to landscape format and at the same time let in light and air for the users . This made it possible to merge the creative wishes of the architects with what was technically possible . It is always a compromise when it comes to MSCPs , but even though ventilation requirements reduce the contrast in the images , they still stand out and give residents a great impression of the Dorset landscapes .
Finally , numbers could be stamped directly on each element in the production line so there was never any doubt as to where and in what order they should be installed . This made the on-site mounting process much easier .
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