The Maggie’s Centre in Oldham has incorporated Allgood’s Holt ironmongery, including L- shaped lever handles, WC turns, coat hooks, doorstops, and toilet roll holders, as well as disabled toilet furniture, ‘to complete its thoughtful and hopeful design’
Allgood said: “Handcrafted from European oak, the Holt range seamlessly blends with the hardwood cross-laminated timber (CLT) building, and reduces the impact of neuropathy for the patients.”
Built in the grounds of The Royal Oldham Hospital, Maggie’s Oldham: The Sir Norman Stoller Building, is reportedly the UK’s first hardwood CLT building. Architects, dRMM, chose tulipwood CLT ‘for the positive influence the material has on people, and for its beauty, strength, and warmth’. With research suggesting wooden structures can help lower blood pressure and pulse rates, the Wood Housing Humanity Report found the material has more health and wellbeing benefits than any other. A tree has also been planted in the centre of the property ‘to help create feelings of hope, strength, and empowerment’.
Jasmin Sohi, Associate at dRMM, said: “The innovative use of hardwood CLT and glass make this a calm, inviting building. Visitors are met with a light, open space and views down to the garden below. When specifying the ironmongery, the use of timber was integral. Warm to the touch, timber ironmongery reduces the effects of neuropathy, a common symptom of chemotherapy, which results in pain when touching cold items – such as stainless steel door handles.”
Designed by Alex Mowat, the Holt range has an elegant super circular shape, is handcrafted from European oak, and reportedly ‘provides the optimum grip for users’. Jasmin Sohi, added: “The Holt range provides a beautiful, unique timber solution for what, in a typical hospital environment, is stainless steel and cold. Conceptually essential, the use of Holt ironmongery ensures that all visitors’ first physical contact with the building is a positive and welcoming experience.”
