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Laidlaw suits doctor's orders in Harley Street

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For a £10.8 million upgrade to the 'London Clinic', the UK’s largest independently-owned hospital located at 114-120 Harley Street, three existing buildings presented distinctly differing interior design requirements. Laidlaw Solutions worked with architects Floyd Slaski to overcome a number of challenges posed by two completely different architectural styles.

The client’s brief was to provide an open plan interior by completely gutting the three buildings. The faÇades of 114 and 118 were retained as a requirement of the Conservation Officer but that of 116 had to be demolished due to differences in floor levels.

A pathology lab and 29 new consulting rooms were provided for, amongst others, gastroenterologists, neurosurgeons and consultants of the London Clinic’s Liver Centre and renowned London Spine Clinic. “The fit out fell into two distinct parts,” says Mike McCann who handled the project for Laidlaw Solutions. “But in both, the architects required a very high level of finish and specification throughout. Laidlaw scheduled over £80,000 worth of hardware.”

In numbers 114-118, the style was modern and contemporary with hardware in Satin Stainless Steel. Elliptical levers and pull handles were selected from the Orbis Premier range together with special sized push plates. These featured insert holes to take 50mm signage discs insert. Locks with 72mm centres from the Orbis Commercial range were also specified.

Roy Chalk, Senior Partner of the Floyd Slaski Partnership commented, “At the Practice we invariably choose to specify Laidlaw ironmongery for our many and very varied projects. Not only are we aware that the Laidlaw range is excellent in both terms of style and quality but also that their before and after sales service is second to none”.

The design features of Orbis Premier provide high quality performance and finish which makes them ideal for such high-profile and heavily trafficked public access areas. In back of house areas standard Orbis Commercial adjustable power closers with cam-action closers were selected.

The doors were manufactured in a stunning American cherry wood especially for the project and the architraves were also of bespoke design. Laidlaw had to provide the channel and arm of the closer in as close a match as possible since it had to be cut into the architrave.

The contrast in hardware for number 120 couldn’t have been greater. Front of house areas had to retain their original Georgian style so to achieve this, the architect chose satin brass knobs and levers with a clean, simple traditional design. A mix of horizontal and upright lock cases with suited cylinders completed the package. All external entrance doors fronting onto Harley Street were fitted with period hardware.

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