Case Study

The Ronald McDonald House of Charities (SA)

RMHC helps families by accommodating them near their critically ill and hospitalized child in a Ronald McDonald House, providing a place to rest while visiting their sick child in a Ronald McDonald Family Room and providing healthcare services” (RMHCSA).

RMHC opened its first South African facility in 2014 with the organisation’s objective to help families & children find comfort in their time of need.

About this Project

The Johannesburg Parktown facility, located near a newly built children’s hospital, opened its door in 2016. The facility features 27 family rooms, kids play area, a library with views of the Johannesburg city, garden courtyards,an open plan canteen, offices and a 20 seater boardroom.

Located on the roof of an existing children’s hospital building. The facility’s design needed to cater to multiple functions, optimise the available space and consider weight restrictions on the existing slab. These requirements create the ideal environment for Saint-Gobain Gyproc and Isover’s lightweight drywall solutions.

CIRCULATION ROUTE/PASSAGEWAYS

By using twin framed wall solutions the high impact resistant drywall systems used to both cater to the anticipated high traffic volumes and encasement of columns along the passage. Based on the mass-spring-mass theory, the twin framed insulated drywall system would also contribute to improved sound insulation between the passage, meeting and family rooms.

Fittings & fixtures such as painting and firefighting equipment were fixed onto the drywall solutions, with niches created to improve the aesthetic quality of the environment. Gyproc Impact Resistant drywalls satisfy BS 5234 standard to Sever Duty Rating, using a single layer of RhinoBoard DuraLine plasterboard.

Perception of quality in hospitals & support services is increasingly more important as hospitals are trending towards hospitality image. Evidence supports this link with staff retention and general patient satisfaction.

Evidence supports that way-finding in medical & support facilities should be simplified to reduce stress during potentially traumatic times for patient, staff & visitors. Flow through this project was kept simple with a central courtyard to help orientate visitors visiting for the first time.

FAMILY ROOMS

The family rooms at the facility are designed to provide the highest level of comfort for parents
accompanying their ill children providing external views, aesthetic & lighting comfort improve the sometimes traumatic experience. Gyproc Sound Resistant Wall Systems are used to divide the rooms, circulation areas and other supporting facilities ensuring that visitors are provided with the highest level of acoustic comfort. Effective sound insulation between spaces creates an environment that provides a restful experience during their stay with RMHC (SA).

Gyproc Sound Resistant Wall systems are tested to local & international standards using unique components manufactured by Saint-Gobain Gyproc and Isover to ensure optimal drywall system
performance when installed according to Gyproc/Isover guidelines.

Bathrooms in each family room are lined with Gyproc RhinoBoard Moisture Resistant boards, with fittings & fixtures are carefully detailed to ensure durability & moisture management throughout the lifecycle of the facility.