Ibstock Blues and Buffs for Bathgate primary care

New primary care centre in Bathgate featured Ibstock Blue Glazed bricks on the entrance facade and panels with the complementary Ibstock Royston Golden Buff bricks on other elevations.

For a new primary care centre in Bathgate, West Lothian, the design of the interlinked buildings was dictated both by the site plan and by the arrangement of the consulting rooms and office accommodation around the central waiting and reception areas.

The client's requirements for a bright, airy, modern appearance were met by the use of Ibstock Blue Glazed bricks on the entrance facade and panels with the complementary Ibstock Royston Golden Buff bricks on other elevations.

The Scottish environment meant that the bricks had to be fully F2 durable and, in addition, all exterior materials used at ground level were required to be durable and vandal resistant.

The distinctive blue lustre of the glazed brickwork, with the flat golden buff warmth of the facing brick, are matched and contrasted with blue and white aluminium glazing bars, white render to the attached retail pharmacy and blue and white aluminium panelling to the upper floors.

After five years on the site, the building still looks as crisp and clean as it did when completed.

The different roof heights, angles and shapes of the Bathgate Primary Care Centre building, with high level glazed clerestories, ensure that the overall size of the complex is not apparent, while still appearing as a unified whole.

This is important in welcoming patients and service users, and the amount of glazing ensures the maximum possible use of available daylight; this is both a psychological boost in the interior and helps conserve energy.

Client: Bathgate Primary Care Centre Trust.

Developer: PMP.

Architect: Young and Gault.

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