ARCHITECTURE & DESIGN
The colour palette is designed to be neutral and calm. Brickwork was selected to blend well with neighbouring buildings. Windows, doors, and other metalwork, are finished in a dark grey, with a unifying appearance.
large ceiling voids to accommodate the various ventilation ducts required. This is above a ceiling that is already high to discourage a patient from accessing ceiling fittings. This can make the building elevation appear rather unfriendly and alienating, where even tall windows can be dwarfed by the overall height of the building elevation, and appear harsh and inhospitable. To address this, we designed the building height to be as efficient as possible – by minimising the floor depth with a concrete flat slab construction. An absence of beams or downstands allowed the ceiling void to be occupied by services as efficiently as possible, keeping the ceiling void to a minimum. The selection of a reinforced concrete frame also offered thermal mass to regulate internal temperatures, provide good
The central courtyard, located between each pair of wards, is the first thing you see on entering the building. Visiting space, and the multi-faith room, can be seen in the background.
acoustic separation between floors, and offer robust detailing, particularly regarding fire protection.
The windows are large, equivalent to the height of a door. A brick relief pattern around the window enhances its appearance, helping to make the window look more generous. This pattern is handed to create a subtle sense of play along the elevation.
Promoting health, wellbeing, and sustainability
The design promotes sustainability that is focused on promoting health and wellbeing for patients, staff, and visitors. To help create a therapeutic setting, we adopted a strategy of biodiversity, with enhanced planting to the already mature landscape surrounding the building,
Praise for the design and construction team
“The new facilities at St Ann’s will mean that instead of having some of the worst wards in the country, Haringey patients and our staff will have some the best.”– Andrew Wright, director of Planning and Partnerships,, Barnet, Enfield and Haringey NHS Mental Trust.
“The design of the new wards, with en-suite bathrooms, more daylight, and views of nature, will reduce patient stress, anxiety, and pain. This will all help to shorten the time service-users need to stay. I am so proud of the BEH team, and grateful to be part of it.”– Mental health service-user.
“This has been a thoroughly positive experience, and a fine example of how much work can be accomplished in a very short period of time. The team took a collaborative
approach, and really listened to clinicians about the needs of our different mental health wards. The enthusiasm and vision of the team inspired us to think critically and creatively about how to best meet the environmental needs of our service-users.
We are delighted with the final plans.”Dr Karen Townend, Service lead, St Ann’s Eating Disorders Service, Consultant Clinical Psychologist, Barnet, Enfield and Haringey NHS Trust.
“It’s been inspirational to see everyone pulling together to create this fantastic new building. Blossom Court sets the bar high – this is how all mental healthcare should
look, and we are committed to improving the rest of our estate over the coming years, so all our patients can enjoy the quality of environment that Blossom Court now
provides.”– Jinjer Kandola, Chief Executive, Consultant Clinical Psychologist, Barnet, Enfield and Haringey NHS Trust.
THE NETWORK | OCTOBER 2020
meaningful views outside, a connection with the natural environment, and a natural buffer for privacy.
A therapeutic environment
The courtyard layout brings an abundance of daylight into the heart of the building, and an opportunity to connect with the time of day, the seasons, and the changing weather, promoted by generous glazing throughout. Acoustic ceilings help absorb noise to help create a calm environment, which is not always easy in healthcare environments, with high standards of infection control and softer surfaces vulnerable to damage and soiling.
Natural materials
We specified natural materials where possible. The condition of a building can so easily communicate something about how patients and staff are valued. If a building remains in good condition, it can foster pride in its occupants; conversely, signs of wear and tear can have the opposite effect. We designed the interior with natural oak finishes, including doors, fitted furniture – such as the integrated bedroom desk and wardrobe, architraves, and skirtings. While some finishes were replaced with an oak laminate, the natural grain provides a subtle pattern that will take knocks, hide scuffs, and continue to look good without heavy reliance on a maintenance regime.
Mind and body
A member of the clinical team made a comment early in the design process about a common issue that patients leaving mental health wards were often in worse physical health than when they arrived. The building is designed to promote a healthy lifestyle. Exercise equipment is located in courtyards and gardens that are directly accessible on both levels. From a carefully developed fire strategy, the stairs are readily accessible, rather than hidden behind a lobby, and designed to encourage their use instead of the lift with their prominent location, daylight, and direct
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©Tim Crocker
©Tim Crocker
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