PROJECTS - SPECIAL REPORT


“It was based on the practical


experience of people visiting the building who had a wide variety of accessibility needs; most poignantly, people with extensive and complicated sensory and emotional challenges. “Throughout the design process


we were passionate to provide the necessary security, accessibility and functionality our services demanded, but within an atmosphere that evoked the opposite emotions experienced in the majority of hospitals, health centres or clinics.”


She added: “From my initial sketches,


through the early consultation, and into the building’s general arrangements, we had the usability and functionality of spaces, both now and in the future, in mind.


“Each space underwent a critical


analysis process to identify who would be using it when we move in, but also how it might be used in five years time. “This process, coupled with the


appreciation that the charity employs a diverse team with varying accessibility requirements, meant that spaces which could have been easily categorised as ‘office’ or ‘administration’ and therefore receive a diminished attention to detail, actually underwent equal design scrutiny.”


NO SURPRISES Evidence gathered by the charity, including studies by The Kingwood Trust and the Helen Hamlyn Centre, supported Beswick’s theory that adding curves to the centre’s circulation strategy was a natural progression to aid the children in their visual spatial processing, helping them move from space to space and minimising anxiety. As well as aiding the children to navigate the building, the curvilinear


design also removes any potential perceived ‘institutional’ appearance; a key part of the original design intent. “It is widely understood and


recognised that people with autism can find changes in routine and social interaction challenging and so the design of the physical environment at the CICC had to complement the preparation work that would be undertaken to minimise the potential impact of the new experience of visiting the building.” said Beswick. “Wide curved corridors with high


ceilings and long lines of sight provide an open feel, and vision panels in transition doors or into public spaces give users time to assess each space before entering.” The centre’s 12 individual assessment


suites posed a very-specific challenge; to offer the visual reassurance of clear windows in or next to the entry points, while being able to provide the privacy required to undertake clinical


assessments. With the obvious solution of blinds


presenting both safety and maintenance or operational issues, finally an alternative was sourced with the use of a switchable adhesive film.


SOUNDS EASY For people without auditory or sensory challenges, poor acoustic management is at the very least an annoyance, but for a large minority of the population who suffer some sort of sensory impairment, it can cause physical pain or severe emotional discomfort. Therefore, for the benefit of all users, special attention was given to the acoustic treatment of all spaces within the CICC. Christopher Lalley, senior consultant at Philip Dunbavin Acoustics, explains: “Acoustic design was considered from the outset with the consultant appointed early in the process. “Reverberation within spaces was considered, with full calculations being


>


mhdf magazine


9


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