On the road to recovery with HandR Johnson

Edited by the Buildingtalk editorial team Feb 14, 2006

Recent development of one of Europe's largest hydrotherapy pools has made extensive use of ceramic tiles from leading manufacturer HandR Johnson Tiles .

The recent development of one of Europe's largest hydrotherapy pools, based at Oswestry's Robert Jones and Agnes Hunt (RJAH) Orthopaedic and District Hospital, has made extensive use of ceramic tiles from leading manufacturer HandR Johnson Tiles .

Designed by architects Dryburgh Gillian Associates and installed by tiling contractors Cawood Dixon and Co, the new hydrotherapy pool incorporates over 1000m2 of H and R Johnson ceramic tiles.

With an international reputation for orthopaedics and research into disorders of bones and joints, built on extensive experience gained since the inception of the original hospital in 1900, the new facility required a durable and reliable tiling solution.

The pool surround, pool hall walls and pool tank were all specified as HandR Johnson tiles, featuring over 500m2 of HandR Johnson's Prismatic wall tiles (150x150mm) in Satin White, with accompanying bands in Kingfisher Blue and Storm Grey, creating a fresh and invigorating atmosphere to the pool surround and 300m2 of Kerastar Rocktop porcelain floor tiles (300x300mm) in the Athena colourway, providing a slip resistant surface for safety and piece of mind for patients.

The pool tank utilised 230m2 of H and R Johnson's Architectural range in White (250x125mm), with a gritted finish to the pool's base tiles to prevent slipping, offering an attractive and functional finish.

RJAH's Hydrotherapy pool provides both private and NHS patients with exceptional orthopaedic facilities and as an NHS Trust development, the ceramics used within the project had to be durable and capable of withstanding the rigorous cleansing regime associated with a facility like this.

Stephen Gillian of Dryburgh Gillian Associates commented: "Oswestry's hydrotherapy pool required tiled surfaces that were not only attractive, hygienic, durable and resistant to aggressive water and atmospheric conditions, but also offered the appropriate level of slip resistance and soft profiles to offer peace of mind to recovering patients, many of whom have ultra sensitive skin conditions".

"HandR Johnson's tile range offered all of these qualities, making them the ideal choice for the pool.".