Supporting NHS Hospital Construction in Bradford
Hospital operations in Bradford are set to increase, with input from Gilberts louvres contributing towards a new NHS surgical day case unit — part of wider efforts to expand healthcare infrastructure in the UK.
Rooftop Plant Screening with Gilberts Weather Louvres
The rooftop plant necessary to operate the unit at St Luke’s Hospital for Bradford Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust is being screened by over 500m² of Gilberts louvres (WGK75), delivering both ventilation and protection to support the hospital’s critical infrastructure.
Aesthetic and Functional Design Integration
In a complex configuration, the core 102m-long x 3.5m-high screen, powder-coated in matt signal black, runs the entire perimeter to provide an attractive ground-level aesthetic to visitors to the facility and a degree of protection from the elements for the plant behind.
An additional L-shaped 44m acoustic louvre within includes insulation, doors, and a cat ladder to minimise sound from, and allow maintenance access to, the equipment needed to power the two-storey unit and its two operating theatres — ensuring the smooth delivery of high-volume, low-complexity surgical procedures.
Offsite Manufacturing and On-Site Installation by Gilberts
Gilberts designed and fabricated the hospital ventilation louvre system in its state-of-the-art manufacturing facility before installing on-site for principal contractor Darwin Group. The screen is an integral part of the unit’s design, which aims to improve the patient experience, including an interior laid out to provide a circular patient pathway and a generous landscape buffer.
Faster, Greener Modular Healthcare Building
Gilberts’ approach, integrated with Darwin Group’s offsite modular construction method, has delivered the project up to 60 per cent faster and with up to 90 per cent less waste than traditional building methods — supporting more sustainable NHS projects through smart, efficient engineering.
Trusted Offsite Construction Partner
Alastair Pryce, Head of Project Delivery at Darwin Group, said, “Gilberts has proven to deliver the reliability, quality and service that Darwin Group has built its reputation on, as a leader in modular healthcare building methods – to the extent that we asked them to also provide a small louvre for integration into the façade cladding.”
Boosting Surgical Day Unit Capacity
Once operational, the new unit will undertake high-volume, low-complexity surgery, increasing the Trust’s operation capacity by more than 5,000 a year — a key part of efforts to cut NHS hospital waiting lists.
Gilberts: Leading UK Air Movement Engineer
Founded 60 years ago and still family-owned, Gilberts is the UK’s leading independent air movement engineer. It offers a comprehensive range of factory- and site-assembled louvres for screening, weather and noise protection, tailored for hospital rooftop louvre systems and more. Its acoustic louvres are BSRIA (Building Services Research and Information Association) validated.
In-House Design and Manufacturing Expertise
Gilberts is unique in its ability to design, manufacture and test all products – including bespoke fabrications – in-house, to the extent it even designs and manufactures its own tools at its 140,000 sq ft head office and production facility. The company’s air movement solutions are trusted across the healthcare construction sector and beyond.
Summary: Supporting Smarter Healthcare Infrastructure
Gilberts’ contribution to St Luke’s Hospital in Bradford reflects the company’s continued commitment to supporting smarter, more efficient healthcare infrastructure across the UK. By supplying high-performance weather and acoustic louvres as part of a fast-track modular build, Gilberts has helped deliver a functional and future-focused NHS surgical unit that addresses both immediate patient needs and long-term sustainability goals.
Working alongside Darwin Group, the project showcases the benefits of integrating bespoke air movement solutions within modern hospital construction. It also highlights how early collaboration with trusted supply partners can drive better outcomes in speed, quality, and environmental performance.
As demand for healthcare services continues to rise, Gilberts remains a key partner for NHS hospital developments and other critical public sector projects. With decades of experience and in-house expertise, the company is proud to play a part in enhancing clinical environments, reducing waiting lists, and helping create the next generation of sustainable medical facilities.
Learn more about our louvres for your next project here.