Project · Cambridge · Logistical challenge
SWR's Milestone Installation at Addenbrookes Hospital
One of SWR’s most ambitious installations to date
Location
Cambridge
Sector
Healthcare
System
Glass Balustrade
Duration
24 weeks
Scope
Large-Scale External Installation
The brief
Working within one of the busiest hospitals in the country to deliver safety at scale.
Addenbrookes Hospital required a large-scale balustrade solution that could improve safety while fitting neatly into a busy healthcare setting.
Addenbrookes Hospital required a durable and high-performance stainless-steel balustrade system across several key external areas of the Cambridge hospital site. Working within a live healthcare environment, the project demanded a solution that could combine long-term durability, public safety and a clean architectural appearance suitable for one of the UK’s busiest hospitals.
The large-scale balustrade installation included over half a kilometre of stainless-steel balustrade, frosted glass infill panels, more than 1,000 metres of stainless-steel tubing and approximately 450 individual glass panels. Designed to improve pedestrian safety while complementing the surrounding hospital buildings, the finished system delivers a modern and practical solution for high-traffic public access areas.
As a complex healthcare balustrade project, the installation required careful planning, phased site coordination and efficient delivery throughout the 24-week programme. With multiple contractors operating across the hospital at the same time, SWR worked closely with the wider site team to ensure the stainless-steel and glass balustrade system could be installed safely, efficiently and with minimal disruption to hospital operations.
The brief extended beyond aesthetics alone. Every element of the balustrade installation needed to meet the practical demands of a busy hospital environment, providing reliable safety barriers for patients, staff and visitors while maintaining a modern architectural finish throughout the site.
— External walkway installation.
— Ramp balustrade, detail.
— Pedestrian pathway.
Specification
The full specification.
Half a kilometre of stainless steel balustrade across one of the country’s busiest hospital sites.
System
Stainless Steel Balustrade
System type
Post and panel
Application
External pedestrian walkway and ramp
Building type
NHS Hospital
Infill
Frosted Glass
Quantity
500m balustrade, 1,000m+ tubing, 450 panes
Compliance
TBC
SWR scope
Supply and install
Lead time
24 weeks
Warranty
TBC
System
Stainless Steel Balustrade
System type
Post and panel
System
Stainless Steel Balustrade
Application
External pedestrian walkway and ramp
Building type
NHS Hospital
Infill
Frosted Glass
Quantity
500m balustrade, 1,000m+ tubing, 450 panes
Compliance
TBC
SWR scope
Supply and install
Lead time
24 weeks
Warranty
TBC
The process
Working on one of the country's busiest hospital sites.
Brief
SWR engaged to supply and install half a kilometre of stainless steel balustrade across the external walkways and ramps at Addenbrookes Hospital.
Survey
Full site survey carried out to measure and plan the installation across a live, operational hospital environment with strict access requirements.
Fabrication
1,000+ metres of stainless steel tubing and 450 panes of frosted glass fabricated and prepared for phased delivery to site.
Installation
24 weeks on site, working around one of the busiest hospitals in the country. Logistics carefully managed to avoid disruption to patients and staff.
Completion
Project delivered on time. Half a kilometre of balustrade installed, providing safety and aesthetic quality across the hospital's public-facing exterior.
Brief
SWR engaged to supply and install half a kilometre of stainless steel balustrade across the external walkways and ramps at Addenbrookes Hospital.
Survey
Full site survey carried out to measure and plan the installation across a live, operational hospital environment with strict access requirements.
Fabrication
1,000+ metres of stainless steel tubing and 450 panes of frosted glass fabricated and prepared for phased delivery to site.
Installation
24 weeks on site, working around one of the busiest hospitals in the country. Logistics carefully managed to avoid disruption to patients and staff.
Completion
Project delivered on time. Half a kilometre of balustrade installed, providing safety and aesthetic quality across the hospital's public-facing exterior.
Not only does the balustrade look beautiful alongside the hospital, but it also provides safety for the most vulnerable people entering the hospital.
From the original
Addenbrookes Hospital, Cambridge
The result
Half a kilometre. On time.
hrough 24 weeks of hard work on site, SWR delivered half a kilometre of stainless steel balustrade across one of the country’s busiest hospital sites. The result is a balustrade that not only performs to the highest safety standards but provides a considered, lasting finish for the thousands of patients, visitors and staff who pass through every day.
For SWR, Addenbrookes represents a milestone and proof that the team can deliver at scale, on time, and without compromise, even in the most logistically demanding environments.
500m
Balustrade
24
Weeks
450
Pannels
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