SERVICE-USER ACCOMMODATION
How ‘Bedroom Evolved’ pushed the boundaries
Louis Sullivan, Principal architect at leading healthcare construction specialist, Darwin Group, explains how the firm’s ‘Bedroom Evolved’ has, as it puts it, ‘set a new bar for mental health accommodation standards’.
In the ever-evolving landscape of healthcare architecture, innovation and collaboration should constantly challenge ‘acceptable standards’. For mental healthcare settings, while a careful balance must be struck between clinical need and service-user safety, it’s vital not to lose sight of people’s dignity and comfort. It was through this lens that the ‘Bedroom Evolved’ project began. We also wanted the project to redefine the concept of what a mental health space could be, and showcase the immense potential of modular construction in enhancing healthcare estates.
Pioneered by collaboration between Darwin Group, Safehinge Primera, and Medical Architecture, and supported by specialist suppliers, the project harnessed the passion, expertise, and innovation of a skilled multidisciplinary team. The idea for the project came from the recognition that the NHS not only needs a high-quality, cost-effective solution that can be deployed at speed, but also one that provides a calming, serene place to improve people’s chances of responding successfully to treatment. A fundamental transformation of mental health spaces is long overdue.
While there’s already a mental health bedroom design standard, it has not changed for a decade. Many of our current NHS mental health spaces are simply not fit for purpose, with outdated facilities that are unpleasant to work in and hinder people’s recovery. We wanted to move things on, giving a high priority not only to service-user safety, but also to how such individuals feel when they’re in the space. We also wanted to make it as easy as possible for staff to deliver care in an environment that is safe for them too.
Collaboration: the key to success One of the defining aspects of the ‘Bedroom Evolved’ project was the unprecedented level of collaboration that brought it to life. This project united specialists from various fields, including architecture, construction, and interior design. By combining their passion, expertise, and innovation, we achieved remarkable results in an extraordinarily short timeframe. ‘Bedroom Evolved’ went from a concept to a physical space in a matter of weeks. Initial meetings started in February
2023, construction commenced in May, and the final project was successfully unveiled at the Design in Mental Health conference on June 7 2023. Everyone who worked on the project had the same vision – to create a ‘real’ room that felt homely and less like a clinical setting, but at the same time, was as safe as we could possibly make it. The project also challenged
conventional misconceptions about modular construction, and what a modular bedroom can look like. While some sceptics believe modular buildings lack the sturdiness and robustness of a traditional build, the Bedroom Evolved project defied these notions and showed that this is simply not true. The resulting bedroom – with an overall area of 32.19 m2
,
Some of the key features of the new inpatient bedroom, where service-user dignity, privacy, and comfort, are all afforded a high priority.
32
and weighing an estimated 12 tonnes, was delivered to the Coventry Building Society Arena under special escort due to its size and weight. Organisers told us it was the first time that a full crane had been used inside the exhibition space. The
NOVEMBER 2023 | THE NETWORK
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