2024
Balloch
This project involved the refurbishment of Robin House, a Children's Hospice in Balloch operated by Children's Hospices Across Scotland (CHAS). Opened in 2004, it provides a 'home from home' environment for children with life-limiting conditions. Robin House includes specialist facilities such as a hydrotherapy pool, art room, and quiet reflection areas, all located in a peaceful rural setting within Loch Lomond National Park.
The refurbishment involved replacing the existing roofing system to enhance durability and weather resistance. The project area covered 650m² and was completed in October 2024. The building’s waveform roof, composed of four curved plates, posed significant design and installation challenges. The client was CHAS, the roofing contractor was Aim Developments Ltd, and temporary works were handled by Enigma Industrial Services Ltd. There was no architect involved in the project, however Martin Elsby at DM Hall was the Building Consultant.
Project Requirements
The project used a Sikaplan® G-18 Mechanically Fixed Warm Roof system, a polyester-reinforced PVC membrane with UV stabilisers and flame-retardant formulation. The complexity of the Robin House refurbishment was largely due to the building’s distinctive waveform roof consisting of four curved, overlapping roof plates. These plates form architectural “eyelets” between sections to admit natural light,requiring the roofing system to be flexible and precisely fitted to avoid compromising the original design.
The replacement process had to maintain the shape and structural integrity while also improving weatherproofing. The Sikaplan® G-18 system was selected for its flexibility and suitability for mechanically fixed installation on a curved surface, which eliminated the risk of uplift. One of the most significant complexities was the integration of custom insulation boards, and in partnership with Kingspan, the insulation was pre-formed off-site to match the curve of the roof plates, ensuring thermal continuity and aesthetic accuracy.
Another complexity was the refurbishment of glazed roof windows within the eyelets. These windows were removed and rebuilt using plywood, VCL (vapour control layer), insulation, and Sikaplan® membrane, ensuring a continuous warm deck and avoiding cold bridging.
PROJECT PARTICIPANTS
Client: Children’s Hospices Across Scotland
Roofing Contractor: Aims Development Ltd
Size: 650m2
The project demanded precision detailing, manufacturer collaboration, and bespoke product adaptation to meet the architectural intent and user needs of a sensitive care facility. Despite a complex environment and technical detailing, the project was delivered to budget and on time.The team demonstrated adaptability, sensitivity to the building’s function, and commitment to collaborative planning, all of which were crucial to the project’s successful delivery.