ARCHITECTURE & DESIGN


consider potential future phases of development so that the new building could reinforce a potential future hospital masterplan, rather than work against it. Although the brief only required 74 inpatient bedrooms, we planned the site to be able to fit two additional inpatient buildings accommodating a further 150 beds, along with a shared activity centre and supporting accommodation to address potential future needs, if further development of the site could be funded at some point in the future. We developed a vision where vehicles were clearly separated from pedestrians, with roads, parking, and service routes organised around the site perimeter. Buildings are organised along a new pedestrian street, designed as a generous ‘boulevard’. Activities can ‘spill out’ from individual buildings, creating an activated street scene that is safe from vehicles. To create an enhanced physical connection with the existing neighbouring community, the original perimeter wall was partly demolished – creating a large new opening that connects the new ‘boulevard’ with the local network of streets. The new inpatient building is located confidently and prominently, being the first thing you see through this new opening, promoting pride in the mental health service provided, rather than something that is hidden away and stigmatised.


Integration with the community We felt that it was essential for the new mental health inpatient accommodation to appear integrated with the new future housing on the neighbouring site. Our design for Blossom Court was driven by a desire for the buildings not to look institutional, but like high quality housing. The masterplan structure adopts a series of two-storey building blocks that fit into a potential future street pattern.


Design concept


The new building is designed to address the complex needs of a mental healthcare ward, with a simple solution and an


The ground floor plan.


integrated approach.The primary design principle was the creation an improved therapeutic environment for patients, and a better working environment for staff.


Building layout


The four wards are arranged around two private, two-storey courtyards, each with a ward on its ground and first floor. The courtyard arrangement offers private views, abundant daylight, and a positive focal point for its patients. The building itself provides the secure enclosure to outdoor space, without the need for fences. The ward plan forms a simple loop, with bedrooms arranged on three sides, and day space arranged along the fourth side. This circulation provides two choices of route within the ward, giving staff or patients the opportunity to avoid escalating challenging situations. This arrangement also allows sub-division for separating patient groups, with a swing zone between, whether for COVID-19- related social distancing, or for other clinical reasons. A plant enclosure is


located at roof level, separate from ward accommodation. This allowed the wards to be compact, so that walking distance was minimised.


The bedroom corridors are arranged with bedrooms on one side only, facing the outside, providing a direct connection with the courtyard as you circulate around the ward. As well as providing the therapeutic benefits of daylight and views, this also means that patients accessing the courtyard do not compromise the privacy of occupants within any room.


Flexibility


It was important to make the building as flexible and adaptable as possible for future use. Each ward is designed to a standard template, and the stacked wards efficiently share risers. The additional two bedrooms in the Eating Disorders Unit neatly fit into the same space as the Seclusion Suite on the other three Adult Acute wards. This standardisation allows services to potentially swap around in the future.


A first floor terrace. THE NETWORK | OCTOBER 2020


Sliding glazed screens allow the day spaces to open onto the courtyard. 27


©Tim Crocker


©Tim Crocker


©Medical Architecture


Page 1  |  Page 2  |  Page 3  |  Page 4  |  Page 5  |  Page 6  |  Page 7  |  Page 8  |  Page 9  |  Page 10  |  Page 11  |  Page 12  |  Page 13  |  Page 14  |  Page 15  |  Page 16  |  Page 17  |  Page 18  |  Page 19  |  Page 20  |  Page 21  |  Page 22  |  Page 23  |  Page 24  |  Page 25  |  Page 26  |  Page 27  |  Page 28  |  Page 29  |  Page 30  |  Page 31  |  Page 32  |  Page 33  |  Page 34  |  Page 35  |  Page 36