A year on from breaking ground at Seacroft Hospital, the Rob Burrow Centre for Motor Neurone Disease (MND) is progressing at pace, with the timber frame and installation of windows now complete, as attention turns to the internal fit out.
As we mark the anniversary of Rob’s passing, we look at how the building is taking shape and give you an insight into what makes this such a unique project.
We had the pleasure of welcoming clinical staff to the building last month, just before the windows were installed so they could take their moment ‘in the frame’ to explore and celebrate their new workplace.
MND specialists from the multi-disciplinary team, including Dr Foo, Consultant Neurologist and Claire Lang, Specialist Nurse, took the opportunity to have an update on the centre development, as they prepare to move in later in the year.
Claire Lang, Specialist MND Nurse, Leeds Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust said, “It was really exciting to mark this milestone and to see how much the building has moved on. We work really closely together as a team and we’ve started to imagine ourselves working in the new space. There’s so much light. And space. It’s an incredible spirit lifter and we can’t wait to welcome our patients and their families later this year.”
Once the external shell is fully sealed, attention turns to fitting out the interior spaces that will provide state-of-the-art facilities for people living with motor neurone disease.
Paul Watkins, Director of Fundraising, Leeds Hospitals Charity, said: “I was beyond impressed when I arrived on site this morning, the centre is looking remarkable. It’s the statement building that we hoped for. To be a part of this journey from idea to reality is quite incredible and I am beyond humbled by everyone who has donated and continues to donate to Leeds Hospitals Charity.”
The new centre has been constructed using methods of off-site manufacture, with the timber panels being designed and manufactured in a factory environment and then transported to site to be assembled.
Find out more about this innovative building approach, watch the structure take shape and see how the vision for the building has come to fruition, with sustainability at its core.
This progress is thanks to the dedicated efforts and teamwork between Timber Innovations, the design team, and the client team. Together, we are ensuring that the design elements from stakeholder engagement sessions are fully realised.
The most special part of this project is the community that has come together to make it a reality – from Dr Agam Jung and Rob’s first dreams to create this centre, to the many families, fundraisers, supporters and partners from all the organisations involved who’ve supported the project.
Read about a special moment where the MND community, including Rob Burrow’s parents, came together to leave their permanent mark on the timber frame.
