SPECIALIST ARCHITECTURE
Dee View Court in Aberdeen and Sue Ryder Neurological Care Centre Lancashire for a considerable amount of time prior to their recent completion; the practice began work on Dee View Court in 2014, while initial studies for Lancashire date back to 2012. This fairly long design development period is not unusual for new capital projects within the charity sector, where decisions regarding significant construction contracts need to be delicately balanced against likely income and the potential to borrow. This all needs to be carefully considered while simultaneously ensuring that the high quality of care offered by Sue Ryder is not compromised, particularly during construction work. Sue Ryder Neurological Care Centre Lancashire was the first of the two projects that JDDK Architects became involved with, and it was kick-started by the challenges that were presented by the previous Sue Ryder Neurological Care Centre in Preston which was in Cuerden Hall, a Grade II* listed building.
A former ‘grand family home’ Cuerden Hall was formerly a rather grand family home between 1717 and 1906, and was subsequently used by the Army until the 1960s, before becoming a 38-bed Sue Ryder Neurological Care Centre 20 years ago. Under Sue Ryder’s ownership it provided care and support to people aged 18 and over with complex neurological needs, such as multiple sclerosis, acquired brain injury, cerebral palsy, Parkinson’s disease, Huntington’s disease, and motor neurone disease. The building has many attractive features, and is set in grounds that extend to 23 acres. However, many parts of the building date back to the 18th century, and the overall layout and configuration, alongside its listed status, made it very difficult to provide care for clients with complex physical difficulties, alongside, in some cases, impaired cognitive function. The ability to deliver safe and effective healthcare within this environment was challenging, impractical, and compromised, for both staff and clients.
At the early stages of design development Sue Ryder did look at the possibility of providing a new care centre within the grounds of Cuerden Hall, but planning challenges, combined with the remoteness of the site from local amenities and transport links (which are particularly key to successful rehabilitation), meant that this option was discounted. Despite the charity’s close connections with Cuerden Hall, Sue Ryder made the difficult decision to relocate to purpose-designed premises in order to ensure the highest standard of care for clients.
The brief for the replacement building for Cuerden Hall was to provide 40 single en-suite bedrooms with communal facilities.
Extensive search undertaken Following the decision to relocate from Cuerden Hall, an extensive search for suitable sites ensued to find a location for the new centre that would be within easy access of local amenities, while also offering a pleasant environment for the residents and staff. The brief for the building was to provide 40 single en-suite bedrooms, with communal facilities including a hydrotherapy pool and neurological rehabilitation gym, as well as lounges, an occupational therapy kitchen, day services provision, and discrete rehabilitation bungalows. Just as important as the spaces required was the need to create an uplifting environment that connected clients to their surroundings, as well as facilitating their daily routines. JDDK Architects carried out options appraisals on a number of sites before Sue Ryder chose the site at Eastway in Preston. The selected site has many positive
aspects that made it particularly viable for neurological care; most notably that it is within walking distance of Broughton Village, and sits immediately adjacent to a new housing development where 300 homes are being constructed by Story Homes. This location, where the built environment is currently being shaped, offered a fantastic opportunity for the Sue Ryder to become integrated into the fabric of the local neighbourhood. Having secured the site in Preston, Sue Ryder decided at an early stage in the design process to use a Design and Build procurement route; this allows a contractor to be appointed at an earlier stage in the design process, and subsequently manage the design and construction process thereafter. On new-build projects it is often felt that this approach allows contractors to shoulder many of the risks, although the client may, in some instances, pay a premium for this.
Design work for the new Sue Ryder Neurological Care Centre Lancashire – a sketch is shown – commenced in 2017, with construction completed in February 2020.
October 2020 Health Estate Journal 27
©JDDK Architects
©JDDK Architects
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