healthcare build & design special report
‘Clock View was conceived as a beacon... the new building is a complete contrast to its
surroundings, highly visible, bright and clean’ Christopher Shaw, founding director, Medical Architecture
Clock View’s entrance acts as a lantern, illuminating the
approach. Recycled dockside granite benches with thoughtful embedded bronze settings by Mackie and Parnell provide reassuring stepping stones on what may be a very difficult personal journey toward the entrance and form an intrinsic part of the recovery pathway when leaving. “First impressions really matter,” explains Director Bob
Wills, Medical Architecture’s project lead. “The relationship between individuals and their health service is pre- conditioned by the arrival experience before meeting any receptionist or clinician. “In the case of mental health this is doubly important, given
the debilitating stigma surrounding mental illness.” With almost 70 per cent of recorded assaults against NHS
staff occurring in mental health or learning disability settings Medical Architecture incorporated design features aimed at significantly reducing the potential for violent incidents. The architects used spatial form, along with calming
daylight and views, to reduce stress. The environmental design prevents overheating and provides pockets of cooler spaces, while dead-ends have been eliminated. Carefully designed acoustics with attractive and varied finishes minimise anxiety.
Effective space
In design for mental health there is sometimes a natural tension between orthodox clinical planning and good design when it comes to circulation. Movement and transition space in mental health is
functional. Working closely with the client, the design team has been able to achieve the right balance of dedicated activity space and purposeful circulation. The hospital features circulation with rooms on one side
only and windows with a view. This has recently become the norm as the benefits of a therapeutic setting have become val- ued. Furthermore, the hospital’s ring-shaped circulation layout leads to ward staff being immersed in the patient setting rather than controlling from a single observation point. Gardens and courtyards are an essential element of the
therapeutic environment. Safe and self-directed access means the range of activities and quality of experience can be widened, speeding recovery. Wills says: “A carefully shaped landscape provides for a
range of activities and therapies reducing the sense of contain- ment and fostering wellbeing. We believe Clock View provides a stunning example of positive interaction between landscape and buildings to support better mental healthcare.” He concludes: “Ultimately, at every level we have strived to
Attractive artworks are closely woven into the design and feature prominently throughout the building
ensure the hospital's design enhances the experiences of patients and the staff who care for them.”
BUILDING PROJECTS
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