Project Summary
With a European presence in more than ten countries, the Orpea network consists of 350 establishments in France. A key player in the treatment of addiction and global care provision, the Orpea Group provides specialized health facilities for rehabilitation and convalescence (Clinéa), together with residential institutions for the elderly (Orpea). It has recently built a new Clinéa clinic in Nancy, in the Grand Est metropolitan region.
Full Case Study
This new health care facility offers an in-patient unit as well as a follow-up care and rehabilitation department providing medical, curative and palliative services. The ground floor of this four-storey medical complex contains support facilities such as the laundry, kitchens and pharmacy, as well as social spaces like the restaurant. The three upper floors of the building are reserved for the rehabilitation and convalescence of patients with bedrooms and rooms for treatment, relaxation and rehabilitation.
Professional ethics and a warm welcome are pillars that the Orpea Group seeks to instil in each of its establishments. Emphasis has therefore been placed on selecting finishing materials to ensure that the Bellefontaine Clinic enjoys lasting protection and that it offers a stimulating and comforting environment for long-stay patients.
Design Goals
First of all, the building had to encourage the safe movement of residents within the institution, whether they are undergoing rehabilitation or have reduced mobility. Therefore, a wall protection system had to be chosen that is easy to maintain and which offers a comfortable environment that is conducive to convalescence. The aim is for the atmosphere of the Centre to offer patients the serenity that a hotel stay might give them.
Finally, it was necessary to find a solution which can make up for a number of apparent defects left by the structural works, so that the finish of this building meets the standards of perfectionism sought by the Orpea Group.
Results
The Clinéa Bellefontaine project management team has selected an Acrovyn® protection system. The Orpea Group, which has already been able to verify the effectiveness of the range in several other projects, has renewed its trust in this product for the protection of their most recent Clinéa facility.
The circulation spaces have all been fitted with tubular handrails (MCE 40 model) to assist the progress of those with reduced mobility and the most vulnerable patients. Curved to continuously follow the concave lines of the building, the MCE 40 also incorporates a bactericidal treatment that makes it indispensable in a post-operative care environment.
To protect the internal structure of the building, SRC80M bumpers have been installed on the walls of high-traffic circulation spaces such as the kitchens or the dining room. This ultra-resistant guard absorbs bumps thanks to a horizontal shock absorber instead of simply passing them on to the wall. The rest rooms, less prone to impacts from food or linen trolleys, are equipped with the TP 200 model, which thanks to its flexibility allows installation on convex walls. The same process has been used for the columns in common spaces, with 0.8 mm thick Acrovyn® panels which combine flexibility and resistance to impacts. The wall edges, which are first in line for bumps and rubbing, are protected with S050V corner guards. Versions in food-graded stainless steel protect corners in rooms used for collective and intensive purposes.
The Orpea Group wanted to differentiate the central areas of each floor of the building with specific colours. From the many shades available on the Acroyn® color swatch, they have selected stimulating and frank hues such as Mint Turquoise, Plum and Pomegranate, which are ideal for supporting patients in their rehabilitation process. The bright walls of these spaces offer a contrast with those of the corridors and the restaurant. These areas, more conducive to relaxation, are protected with Acrovyn® panels in White Mission.
To give the clinic an impeccable finish, the Bellefontaine Centre has chosen to affix 2 mm Acrovyn® panels to the building’s smoke extraction ducts. Employed in a role quite distinct from their usual purposes, the Acrovyn® panels have been able to respond to the needs of the construction project, finishing off the building’s ducts.
Across the rest of the project they have been used for their primary purpose, which is to protect against all kinds of damage. For this reason, smooth panels, ideal for environments requiring strict hygiene, have been installed around each water supply point, to prevent the risk of water ingress or the appearance of mould related to splashing. Finally, the doors of the clinic were protected with 2mm Acrovyn® protective panels cut to fit, while completing the institutional signage for each floor.
As a result of its experience at numerous sites, the Orpea Group understands very well the need for quality finishing work and anticipates all wall damage in its establishments, fitting them from the outset with a whole system of suitable frames and panels. The Bellefontaine clinic is no exception.