HIGH SECURE FACILITIES


a sense of autonomy and independence – can make them feel more motivated in their recovery. Most service-user activities take place in a separate part of the building, easily accessible via the internal street, but away from the ward, rather like the daily process of leaving one environment – one’s home, and going to another – one’s workplace – in the morning.


A feeling of ‘normality’ As far as possible, our concept for the new building strives for consistency in the appearance and design of patient and staff areas. This is founded on the idea of equality, and the premise that all humans deserve the same level of comfort and environmental support. Consequently, the materials, detailing, surfaces, and lighting choices, in general, are the same in patient and staff areas – on the basis that what is appropriate for the staff should be appropriate for the patients, and vice versa. By selecting solutions that meet the objectives of both groups, what is inside the facility unites, rather than divides. Of course implementing such a


The different areas within the building have generous dimensions. Patients have access to quiet and calm in their own room.


service-users in aiding recovery. The goal is to create relaxing, stress-relieving, nature-connected spaces that promote healing, dignity, hope, possibilities, and experiences. Several key principles and aspects can be affected and governed by design decisions. Our design approach is based on a holistic, sensitive mindset – a unified whole that is difficult to break into smaller parts. The elements are mutually reinforcing.


Some of the key elements


A high degree of autonomy Tight security and limited personal freedom can lead to feelings of annoyance and frustration, as well as of degradation, for patients. To address this, plans for a


mental health setting such as this need to offer patients as much freedom of movement and control over their own lives as possible, even amid what is a highly restrictive environment. At the new St Olav’s, patients have the freedom to move around inside the ward, with our design removing the need for them to request permission to go outdoors, and giving them autonomy over the curtains, blinds, and lighting in their rooms. Activities on offer range from


gardening and mending, to cooking and athletics, either undertaken alone or as part of a team. This allows patients to maintain and improve their practical and social skills throughout their rehabilitation. Giving patients something to work towards – something they can enjoy doing, and


strategy necessitates engaging staff in support of this approach. Evaluation of what constitutes a risk requires staff participation, and the in-depth and practical understanding of experienced personnel of what causes and escalates undesirable incidents. The process we followed encouraged staff to prioritise the benefits of particular features over the potential risks and obstacles. There are, of course, instances where exceptions must be made – due to cost and obvious risk factors. However, in such instances, the emphasis appears unchanged, and the security measures, such as enhanced glass, and reinforced construction, are undetectable to the facility’s users. Consistent with our desire to create an


atmosphere of normality, the furnishings are not those typically found in a forensic facility. The underlying approach to the selection of the furnishings saw us prioritise seeking variations of common furniture types that simultaneously fulfil


The security measures are integrated into the design, and as ‘invisible’ as possible. Glass walls, combined with a clear and simple layout, provide clarity and ‘safe and mutual transparency’.


THE NETWORK | FEBRUARY 2023


Nature and daylight are drawn into the building through large windows and glass sections. Planting is based on local species.


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Photo used courtesy of m.herzog/visualis-images/


Photos used courtesy of m.herzog/visualis-images/


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