Adolescent inpatient facilities
An artist’s impression of FitzRoy House – with its ‘classical style of architecture that echoes and emulates the other historic buildings within the site’.
people, however, the architects brought in a more playful aesthetic, with the use of a checkerboard brickwork element throughout the front. Within the building there are numerous
courtyards so that patients can enjoy outside space. These are fully landscaped, non-linear spaces to provide a sense of informality and natural flow from the indoor space. The Tranquillity Courtyard is designed to encourage relaxation, and features a specially commissioned water feature sculpture. Warmer types of material have been carefully embraced within the design, using timber, Reglit panels, and bursts of colour to visually soften the environment.
EXPERT INFLUENCE The design was created in close partnership with St Andrew’s clinical staff, nursing teams, and patients, to ensure that its elements would make the building as inspiring and pleasant as possible, while retaining the vital functionality of a healthcare facility. The new building will be home to up to 110 young people across 11 specialist wards. Many key developments resulted from staff influence, as Paul Bentham explains: “It’s vital to get the input of those that are going to live and work in the building, and in this case their views have had a big impact on the plans. For example, in some of our older buildings the different wards are spread across many floors, and it can be quite a journey for clinical staff to make their way from one to another. In some instances people may be needed in a different ward at very short notice, and this was identified as part of the design process. Within FitzRoy House, all wards are interlinked, so that staff can easily move from one area to the next. “Many wards need a space where patients can be separated from others, to de-escalate a situation, or provide a space for them to gain control of their emotions. A flexible layout
means that fewer such rooms are needed overall, and maximises the efficiency of space within the building. Vitally, we have involved patients every step of the way. Creative workshops gave our young people the opportunity to shape the look and feel of the new building, and developed the overall colour scheme for the building.”
PATIENT-CONTROLLED AIRFLOW A recurring challenge in most wards is to achieve a room temperature that suits everyone. In previous buildings, safety precautions have meant that it is not possible for patients to open windows. However at FitzRoy House, Britplas windows have been installed so that every patient can control the airflow into their room. Each window combines a pane of solid glass, so that the room has good light and views, and a pane combining glass and a mesh screen. The glass window can be opened from the inside, while the mesh ensures complete safety for the patient.
DESIGN CUES FROM YOUNG PATIENTS By asking patients how different colours made them feel, and how they affect mood and can define different types of indoor space, an overall concept was developed to reflect nature throughout the building. Themes were developed by appointed artist, Eric Klein Velderman from Cantoo Design, within ‘hands- on’ art sessions involving the young people. As a result, the ground floor of FitzRoy House now reflects an ‘earth’ theme, with the first floor designed to represent the sky. Patients also directed how the 11 wards are named, choosing emotive words from the British countryside. The wards are: Brook, Fern, Berry, Acorn, Bracken, Maple, Willow, Oak, Sycamore, Marsh, and Meadow. Each will reflect its theme through artwork on display. Furniture style and colours were selected by
patients too; many are bright and vibrant to lift the spaces they occupy. The ‘Branch Out’ café, named by the young people, is a great example of this – furniture and fittings will help make this space an inspiring place to spend time. Cath Lake said: “One of the things that makes this scheme so special is that the ideas and creativity have come from the young people at St Andrew’s. This is even more important, because FitzRoy House will be their home as they progress along their path to recovery.”
‘UNIQUE’ FEATURES St Andrew’s works with young people to promote their recovery from mental disorder, enhancing their resilience and ability to manage the challenges they face in the community by treating the ‘whole person’, rather than their condition. This means combining a range of therapies, focused on both the mental and the physical, with sports facilities, educational support, and spiritual guidance. The approach means that FitzRoy House had a number of specific requirements beyond the usual healthcare environment. Paul Bentham explains: “Something that is central to how we support every patient is that we work with them as an individual, and design a package of care that suits them and only them. We don’t just look at their condition – we take into account their personality, preferences, hobbies, beliefs, and physical capabilities. We find that physical activity, occupational therapy, and spiritual wellbeing, can be as influential over recovery as traditional therapeutic approaches.” As a result, FitzRoy House includes fully integrated sports and games facilities, including a gym machine room and large (286 m2) indoor gym suited to a variety of activities – with space for two badminton courts or five-a-side football.
FitzRoy House stands in front of William Wake House at the Northampton site. OCTOBER 2016
16 THE NETWORK
COURTYARDS, MUSIC, AND ART ROOMS Externally, each of the 11 wards has its own courtyard providing access to fresh air and a range of active pursuits. There’s also a MUGA (multi use games area) outside, and service- users are able to get involved with gardening in the horticultural courtyard. A pet therapy courtyard will be a home to pet animals as a part of therapeutic activities on offer. Several art rooms and music rooms will accommodate the many talented individuals within the Adolescent Pathway. There is also a large, multi-purpose recreational hall.
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