Healthcare
Placing people - patients, staff, community groups - at the centre of our work means we celebrate difference: each project, each client and each hospital community is unique, with individual aspirations and requirements. People Inspired Ever since our work with Macmillan Cancer Support began over 30 years ago, we have given patients a voice in the design process. The healthcare sector today requires flexible, innovative and affordable buildings where patients are safe, and can be cared for with compassion and dignity.
Image: Paediatric Emergency Care Department opening at St Thomas’ Hospital.
The challenges of an ageing population, complex health needs, diminishing resources, and rapidly evolving technology mean the built environment must be able to respond to changing pressures and models of care, while still meeting stringent technical and cost criteria.
Our comprehensive understanding of these factors has enabled us to speak the same language as our clients, and we listen to everyone’s point of view. We deliver evidence-based design solutions that are driven by working in partnership with multi stakeholder groups of clinicians, nurses, patient user groups, managers, commissioners and healthcare planners. This ensures that the therapeutic environments we design have a positive effect on patient wellbeing and clinical delivery, while improving operational relationships and efficiency. This not only has a beneficial impact on patients and clinicians, but also on the NHS and wider society.
“Buildings should fit the care we provide not the other way around.”
holistic approach From welcoming public spaces to more intimate consulting rooms, we have designed therapeutic environments along every step of the patient pathway. The healthcare buildings we design help patients get the right care, at the right time, in the right place. From primary care to hospital departments, we have delivered modern facilities across the entire healthcare spectrum. These projects range in value from under £1 million to £60 million pounds. Our specialisms include integrated primary care health centres, emergency care departments, diagnostic and imaging facilities, operating theatres, cancer care, and the remodelling and design of clinical departments. We also have significant experience of delivering research and pathology laboratories, and training
facilities for medical students and clinical staff. Using a lean approach, we offer comprehensive design services, from strategic development control plans that consider ‘whole hospital’ environments, to interior, FF+E and landscape design. This, together with our knowledge of healthcare planning, has given us the technical ability to design holistic environments that consider every detail, no matter how big or small. We are passionate about enhancing the patient experience. The industry-leading experience and knowledge of our team has given us a comprehensive understanding of the complexity of designing healthcare facilities, and the desire to improve outcomes, not only for patients, but also for carers, families and staff.
Quote: Guy’s and St Thomas’ NHS Foundation Trust. Image: The Paediatric Emergency Care Department at St Thomas’ Hospital is part of a £10 million project to create a new emergency floor at the hospital.
“ADP has delivered an exceptional design that raises the bar for good design in healthcare. From a limited brief they have steered the project carefully to engage the Trust and deliver ground breaking proposals that embody our ethos of safe, clean and personal care. The final result is of a calm and reassuring quality which provides us with a clear strategy that we can implement across the estate.” Strategic Thinking Pressures on budget, resources, and complex patient needs, together with outdated built environments, puts huge demands on healthcare facilities performing optimally.
Quote: Lindsay McKluskie, Project Manager, Salford Royal NHS Foundation Trust. Image: Masterplan, Frimley Park Hospital, Frimley Park NHS Hospitals Foundation Trust.
This includes assessing layouts, circulation and clinical adjacencies along the patient pathway to identify how much use can remain, which areas need remodelling, and what new facilities are required. Equally Healthcare buildings also have to important is understanding built respond to the existing and future fabric, to resolve issues such as clinical service needs of the local asbestos, and legacy mechanical population and the people who provide and electrical services. Planning the care. Planning for change requires development in phases also ensures a cohesive masterplan where the better financial planning and input and needs of the people who use patient safety within a live hospital the buildings are placed at the heart environment. of the process. By applying ‘intelligent derogation,’ Working closely with our clients’ we have maximised the potential of strategic vision for their estate, we NHS estates across the UK, resulting consult with clinicians, staff and in modern, uplifting and legible managers to develop masterplans environments that have improved and development control plans space utilisation, operational that analyse sites to determine the efficiency and the overall quality of the suitability of buildings in meeting patient experience. these challenges and supporting models of care.
“The new unit has created a superior environment and service for both the patients and the staff who work here. We are thrilled with the feedback so far and many new and returning patients have commented on the lovely facilities, the spacious and comfortable surroundings.�
primary care Primary care services are the first point of contact for most people. Facilities must be welcoming, and flexible enough to cater for a variety of uses required by the local community. Growing demand for services and tighter financial constraints means that procurement of built facilities must be agile.
Interior design, art and wayfinding are key to creating welcoming facilities that enable activity and promote wellbeing.
We have developed a series of primary care and wellbeing centres using a number of innovative procurement and development routes, from self-funded GP surgeries, to projects enabled by LIFT and third party developers. The facilities we have designed range from integrated primary care centres housing several GP surgeries to extensions and single doctor’s practices. Anchoring the development in the heart of the community, both physically, and socially is key to our approach, whatever the scale.
We have also delivered facilities that integrate a number of community uses, such as a public library, police facilities, community facilities, key worker and affordable accommodation. This approach transforms how local authorities deliver services and is financially sustainable.
Equally important, is intelligent flexible design that responds to the local environment and the needs of building users.
Our knowledge and experience can help us advise our clients of the best development routes for their project, so that maximum value is achieved.
Quote: Dianne Macleod, Endoscopy Matron, RSCH NHS Foundation Trust website. Image: Model of the proposed redevelopment of Hythe War Memorial Hospital.
Clay Farm Community Centre provides a healthcare practice, affordable housing, community facilities and council services all in one place.
“The emergency floor at Worthing Hospital brings to life the principle of bringing care to the patient the future hospital vision.�
Emergency Care With bed capacity shrinking and admissions rising, A+E departments are under pressure.
By combining different specialisms in one unit, patient flows can be streamlined, enabling timely and appropriate care. This reduces patient Across the NHS, urgent and stress and anxiety, improves waiting emergency care services are being times, and protects elective beds. redesigned to address this, so that Often located at the heart of hospital patients can be promptly assessed sites, and surrounded by numerous and placed into the most appropriate supporting services, traditional A+E care stream to meet their needs. departments have little room to ADP is at the frontline of integrated expand. We work closely with multiple emergency care design. This involves stakeholders to remodel adjacent remodelling existing A+E departments areas into flexible future-proofed to provide a front door to collocated layouts that optimise space and services such as ambulatory operational efficiency, while protecting care, critical decision units, acute the safety, privacy and dignity of assessment wards, urgent care vulnerable patients. services, short stay observations and NHS 111.
Quote: Dr Mark Temple, RCP Future Hospital Officer. Image: Worthing Hospital Emergency Floor has been designed to encourage positive circulation and observation. Nursing staff and clinicians congregate for their daily meeting around a staff base where they are visible to all. Since opening, the department has seen a half-day reduction in the average length of a patient stay and a 20% improvement in consultant review time. It is now one of the top four performing trusts for A+E waiting times in the UK.
St Thomas’ Hospital sees on average 100 patients more a day through the doors of the A+E than it did three years ago when the emergency care pathway began. Quote: Sara Leeson, Clinical Project Manager, St Thomas’s Emergency Care Pathway.
“You have all worked extremely hard to achieve our aspirations. I can’t remember an occasion when you’ve not been able to find a solution to one of the many conundrums we’ve set along the way. I know you’ve put some extremely long hours into this project and we’re all extremely grateful for that.”
”Somebody described pathology today as the golden thread that runs through the health service.”
Diagnostics: pathology
Quote: Lord Charter of Coles, NHS Pathology Services in England. Image: Pathology Laboratories at Royal Surrey County Hospital.
Increasing positive patient outcomes begins with early diagnosis. Our experience of delivering a number of diagnostic facilities means that we understand the stringent technical and clinical requirements needed to support therapeutic environments.
pathology services. Our design expertise is driven by understanding the roles and interplay between different clinical specialities and services, together with the technical demands of different laboratory settings.
Pathology is involved in three quarters of all diagnoses made in the NHS, and demand is increasing. We design a range of pathology facilities, from point-of-care testing within hospital departments to high-volume ‘hub’, and connected ‘spoke’ laboratories, which help manage demand across multiple primary and acute care sites.
Pathology services on acute sites are often collocated with A+E or key areas of front line functionality. With the use of rapid transport links and advanced technology, the testing facilities can be relocated to an efficient off site facility. This releases key accommodation on the acute site for expanding front line services in the appropriate location.
Clinical pathways rely on having access to timely and cost effective
“This was a complex project, involving close team working, and any problems were identified promptly and solved very quickly. This facility is crucial to maintain CRIC at the international forefront as a ‘beyond-state-ofthe-art’, integrated human research imaging centre. Thank you all for the excellent work a genuinely great achievement!”
DiagnosticS: Imaging We also have significant experience of designing imaging and interventional suites. These include radionuclide inpatient beds, Radiotherapy Linear Accelerator (LINAC) facilities, specialist cancer operating theatres, interventional imaging suites, urology, endoscopy, mammography and breast care departments, brachytherapy theatres. We also deliver Positron Emission Tomography (PET) and Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) and Computerised Tomography (CT) scanning facilities and cyclotron manufacturing departments. The dominating presence and bulk of high-tech imaging equipment can be daunting for patients. Design is
driven by the patient and support pathway to ensure privacy and dignity is maintained in these sensitive areas complemented by well-lit interiors to create non-threatening and reassuring environments. Integrating artwork into the building fabric can also humanise a space and provide a welcome distraction. The stringent technical requirements of the various spaces are carefully coordinated with Mechanical, Electrical and Public Health (MEP) Services and specialist equipment suppliers during the design process to ensure an integrated solution.
Quote: Chris Haslett, Principal, Queens Medical Research Institute (QMRI), University of Edinburgh. Image: PET CT/ MRI, QMRI University of Edinburgh.
“The patients, hospital and staff employed are able to access the very best technology and processes. Patients will benefit from faster turnaround times, new tests and the extra capacity.�
Quote: Clare Panniker, Chief Executive of Basildon and Thurrock University Hospital NHS Foundation Trust. Image: Image: Pathology Laboratories, Royal Surrey County Hospital, Guildford. An additional floor and staircases were added to the existing two storey pathology department to improve the internal layout and workflow. The cytology, histology and molecular biology laboratories were also refurbished to house the latest technology, and improve the security of the building.
“ADP understand the needs of people with cancer, and a succession of increasingly excellent buildings has raised the profile of specialist palliative care facilities in the NHS.� Healing environments for cancer care Creating uplifting and therapeutic environments that protect the privacy, dignity and wellbeing of patients is essential for people living with cancer. Since our first projects for Macmillan Cancer Support more than 30 years ago, we have been designing cancer care facilities that put patients and families first, while creating positive working environments for staff. We have delivered over 140 projects with Macmillan and designed numerous facilities for NHS Trusts and independent charities, such as the Teenage Cancer Trust.
Listening to our clients is critical. Our experience of working with multiple stakeholders, from clinicians and support staff to patients and their families, has enabled us to deliver well-considered, effective and robust clinical spaces that promote wellbeing. Taking a holistic approach, our architectural, interior and landscape teams design facilities that respond positively to all of the senses. By carefully considering lighting, colour, art, proportion, sound, landscape, texture and materials, we create reassuring spaces that provide emotional and physical comfort, and a distraction from the day-to-day realities of living with cancer.
Quote: Simon Henderson, Macmillan Cancer Support. Image: The Cove Macmillan Support Centre. The architectural and interior design of The Cove was inspired by the building’s Cornish location. Bespoke furniture, inspired by boat building, and artwork of coastal landscapes, provides a sense of wellbeing by enabling patients to make a connection with their local area.
Images (above and left): Teenage Cancer Trust Units enable young people to seek comfort and support from their peer group, rather than feel isolated on a paediatric or adult ward. Being able to watch TV, read books, play computer games or listen to music provides stimulation and gives young people control of their environment, as they would have at home. Image (right): Delamere Centre, Macmillan Cancer Support. A positive patient experience was achieved by designing an interior that felt comfortable, welcoming and non-institutional, thus enabling the patients to relax and enjoy the different spaces.
Nat ura l li gh t/
Qu i et
STAFF BASE
EL S UN O C
Staff visible to all and observe all
IN G
“Absolutely love it! The paediatric ward staff are so pleased with the end result - so rewarding to have happy customers. Thank you to you and the team for your creativity.”
/S af e
NG I L
PARE NT CARE
OUTE DR SE S E
ROUTE A V SSED O I RE DI NG
SIVE INTEN HDU ARE /
C t tac ess con t acc int of Direc po lear ated c Safe dedic
Con temp lation a reas Com munit y feel Quiet areas Assis t a nce Play area for sibl ings
ST DI
VIEWS Natural light Quiet places Community Help Relax Open and honest
Maternity Care Having a baby is a life changing experience. It is physically challenging but also deeply emotional. Designing family-centred facilities that put the physical and psychological needs of mothers and babies first, is at the heart of what we do.
DIS
TR
HIGH SECURITY
ARRIVAL FROM LABOUR WARDS
re r tu s a p ce aw de fa e sy dly ak Ea t n o ie Fr nt tio a or m Inf
lan
Ba
V ea Cl
G IN GO
E M HO
m
IV
AL is r p ible oi nt acc of ess co nt ac t
ay
A
RR
ca ns cin tay gc th er lin ap ica uti l/ cn e ed s
elp
TR RO ANS OM ITIO IN N / Fu GI rt N Mu her h
NS EL L
AVOIDIN GC OT S
CO U
SPECIAL CARE
TS CO
n Sa
ry ua ct
hom rst i f y’s ab /B
nd welcoming / Less clinical pen a feel e/O /
Quote: Jan Smith, Senior Project Manager, Frimley Park Hospital. Image: Maternity Care Design Process.
variety of maternity settings that give mothers a choice, whilst also catering for different medical needs. This includes single room units with birthing pools, ensuite rooms, and neonatal wards for recovery once the baby has arrived. We have also designed minor operations theatres, The maternity care facilities we design ICU, and special baby units for babies provide safe, comfortable and calming that are born premature or need environments, where mothers and specialist medical care. babies can be cared for with privacy and dignity. Providing space for Creating secure environments with visiting families enables them to control over access is very important. participate in the birth of a new child. We also give careful consideration to acoustics, lighting, colour and Our experience has given us an in artwork, to make the spaces as depth knowledge of critical patient private and homely as possible. flows, and the need to design a
“Each apartment will be designed to suit the needs of the individual so that they can experience greater levels of independence, choice and control.� DESIGN FOR AUTISM The way that an environment is designed can have a significant impact on how someone with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) experiences the world. Individuals with ASD can have challenges with communication, social interaction and flexibility of thinking. This results in significant differences in behaviour and needs, from either sensory overload or deprivation, to fragmented perceptions. Creating a sensory and secure environment that is flexible enough to respond to the complexity and variance of different individual needs is essential.
without too much distraction or confusion.
Transition spaces help individuals adjust from private to public spaces, without too much distress. Quiet areas provide refuge when stimulation is too much, and sensory rooms awaken the senses when stimulation is not enough. Careful consideration is also given to acoustics to minimise background noise, and the separation of spaces using furniture, floor coverings, and lighting. The design of landscaping and the outdoor environment provides a fundamental element in supporting health and By engaging with multiple stakeholder wellbeing. groups we help people with ASD make sense of their environment. From day centres to residential apartments, ADP has designed a The spaces we design are predictable number of facilities that help people and intuitive, helping building users living with ASD understand and to move from one space to another control their environment.
Quote: Viv Smith, Division Director, Hft. Image: Interior courtyard of a new residential autism facility, Hft, Ugley.
“We were very impressed with the professionalism of the design team from the outset. ADP’s engagement with stakeholders and users was a thoroughly successful process and has resulted in a great design which is on course to achieve BREEAM Health Excellent - the UK’s first at design stage.”
Sustainability and wellbeing Natural daylight, thermal comfort, ventilation, views, and links to attractive external spaces all contribute to improving the patient and user wellbeing.
Quote: Mike Lyden, Planning and Commissioning Manager, NHS Walsall, regarding the Goscote Palliative Care Unit. Image: At the Delamere Macmillan Cancer Information and Support Centre the use of natural daylight and landscaping introduces the therapeutic presence of nature into spaces both inside and out.
wellbeing are central to the design approach from an early stage.
The efficient use of buildings is key in reducing the environmental impact, through minimising waste, cost, and These principles support a sustainable use of materials. Flexible layouts with and low energy approach, which good space utilisation, allow buildings we address and integrate into the to evolve over time with minimal waste design process. To minimise energy and material use. use we balance daylighting to reduce unwanted solar gains, and control We work closely with service natural ventilation to reduce cooling engineers to establish a low energy environments. Orientation and strategy, complemented with low and the relationship between building zero carbon technologies, to minimise elements are reviewed during the the impact of the development. This feasibility stage to ensure passive is delivered in a phased approach: be design principles, and health and lean, be clean and be green.
“The emotional and psychological needs of patients and their families are at the heart of the design, through the creation of spaces that feel tranquil and intimate in scale, with careful thought given to sensory stimulation, natural daylight and the connection with nature.�
Quote: Warrington and Halton NHS Foundation Trust. Image: Delamere, Macmillan Cancer Information Centre, Halton Hospital.
“ADP has illustrated a thorough understanding of the Trust and the customer with a considered and well detailed design solution. The design and implementation have been exemplary, transforming the environment with minimal disruption.�
Sustainability and TRANSFORMATION PLANS Sustainability and Transformation Plans (STPs) set out ambitious approaches to improve health and care services for people across the country in a way that is both clinically and financially sustainable. As part of each local STP, we appreciate the important role of the hospital in transforming the way healthcare is delivered for local populations in partnership with other clinical organisations. Using a holistic approach, our masterplan and Development Control Plans (DCP) solutions support the objectives of STPs to ensure the best outcomes for all, whilst developing the environment on the site. Supporting the local economy is paramount in creating a sustainable solution. This applies at a number of levels but fundamentally in the retention and training of staff. Our solutions support and enhance the hospital environment to ensure these key aspirations are met.
Patient choice and empowerment means that the facilities created must respond to changes in models of care, delivery of healthcare, and the quality of service. Whilst these criteria are aspirational in each local STP, a robust masterplan or DCP will enable the delivery of affordable and effective design solutions that meet these ambitions. It is important to create flexibility in the overall plan, so that the facilities designed respond to the fast moving context of health and social care delivery. Research and Development is also key to creating a sustainable development, complemented by links to local universities and ultimately to the worldwide educational community. This will improve the quality, effectiveness and experience of healthcare on a site, and allow informed innovation in healthcare delivery.
Quote: Dominic Wright, Building Project Officer, Salford Royal University Teaching Hospital Capital Planning. Image: Concept sketches of the proposed redevelopment of Hythe War Memorial Hospital.
“What a fantastic building! I have been coming here for 11 years, and given the nature of the disease, this place is so welcoming. I leave here with a smile on my face.”
complex refurbishment Lean times can create many useful opportunities for capital projects in the healthcare sector, one of which is refurbishment.
Quote: Patient feedback, Macmillan Renton Oncology Unit, Hereford County Hospital. Image: Emergency Care Pathway, remodelling, St Thomas’ Hospital.
Creative reuse can increase the value of existing building stock, and can preserve historic buildings whilst keeping them in active use. Refurbishment can range in complexity from a fresh new interior for a tired waiting room, to the extensive remodelling of a hospital department, or the reuse of a redundant, outmoded building. Whatever the form of refurbishment, it requires careful analysis of current uses and needs, and the ability to creatively reinterpret existing spaces to meet those needs.
“Nos er se venim ipsum ing ea facil iril erit dolor At ADP, we believe refurbishment sis enim nons do dolore has many advantages, whatever the state of the economy. In fact, ex rilisciduis eum ecte in many instances, it can actually emerge as the preferred option. dui bla acipsusci tat, As well as being inherently more sustainable, refurbishmentquam, is cost conum dignim and time effective. In logistical terms, refurbishment projects candolesto often be conullam dolor more easily phased to ensure that works are less disruptive. iriliqu atismol orerat.”
Quote: Dr Roger Duckitt, Lead Clinician, Worthing Emergency Floor. Image: Emergency Floor, Worthing Hospital.
“Resistance to change, established practices, limited evidence... IT, financial constraints, building regulations, architectural design - the list is endless. These are the obstacles that will ‘test our abilities’ and help us to examine our practice, to understand how we can work together in a more efficient and constructive way to achieve what we all strive for - the best outcome for our patients.”
“Beautiful use of colour and space- a wonderful environment for patients and staff.“
Interior design Creating welcoming and attractive spaces that lift the spirits whilst ensuring comfort and functionality, is important in healthcare environments. The first step is understanding the different patient, visitor and clinical pathways so that a variety of public and private spaces can be designed for different clinical and non-clinical uses. Separating front-of-house and back-of-house areas is important to safe guard privacy and dignity.
A zoned approach allows for variety. Accent colours and artwork can add interest, while reinforcing identity and aiding orientation. This minimises the impact of medical equipment, and makes the environment more homely and less clinical.
We design and deliver complete solutions. This includes supporting clients in the selection of medical and non-medical FF+E, from initial Taking a holistic approach, our interior briefing through to specification and designers work closely with client procurement. teams, architects and art consultants to integrate lighting, colour, artwork, Our interior design division also signage, furniture, fabrics and works independently of our materials into built form, right down architectural services, producing to the finest detail. Interior design fresh, responsive solutions that brings visual coherency to spaces enliven spaces and promote while also enhancing a sense of place wellbeing. and identity.
Quote: Staff feedback regarding The Cove Macmillan Information Centre, Royal Cornwall Hospital, Truro. Image: The Cove Macmillan Information Centre, Royal Cornwall Hospital, Truro.
“Any visitor should be able to find their way round easily, understand where they are in the process of being cared for, and receive this care in comfort.”
Wayfinding and orientation A well-designed legible environment plays a significant role in the wellbeing of its users. Being in hospital is stressful enough without getting lost.
Quote: Dr Simon Eccles, Emergency Medical Consultant, St Thomas’ Hospital. Image: ‘Use of Design Council’ violence and aggression information combined with art, wayfinding and graphics, Paediatric Emergency Department, St Thomas’ Hospital.
Many hospital sites have been developed in a piecemeal fashion over a number of years, resulting in ad hoc additions that can be confusing to navigate. Developing a coherent wayfinding strategy goes hand in hand with spatial planning, so that form and
information systems work together to make buildings make sense. Understanding the patient journey is the first step in designing effective wayfinding and information systems that enable people to understand their environment. We work closely with our interior designers and art consultants to integrate signage, colour, and artwork with built form to identify routes and departments so that patients, visitors and staff can comfortably get from A to B.
“We asked for hotel reception feel and we got five-star boutique. ADP has exceeded expectations of healthcare design whilst still delivering to our critical infection control measures. Patients and visitors alike are really impressed, it has helped take some of the stress and worry away; this environment says ‘we care’.”
Quote: Simon Neville, Director of Strategy and Development, Salford Royal Foundation Trust. Image: Entrance Remodelling Salford Royal Hospital.
“Working with ADP enabled us to achieve our ambitions for a flexible high spec space which has delivered a functional clinical area designed with the child at the heart of everything.”
art in the healing environment Art in healthcare settings provides orientation and focus whilst humanising clinical spaces. It can also be educational and provide a welcome distraction to alleviate the tensions of being in a healthcare environment.
imagery that is familiar and relates to place is also important, so that people can connect with their surroundings.
We work closely with art consultants to ensure that artwork is people inspired and considered early on in the To be effective, art must have a design process. This ensures that the function and purpose, and not be artwork commissioned is appropriate used for its own sake. By listening and forms part of a coherent to patients and clinical teams, we information system that is integral to ensure that artwork creates a calming the building fabric. Materials specified environment and aids wayfinding, so also need to be robust and cleanable that people can find their way easily to ensure infection control and low along the patient pathway. Creating maintenance. an identity for departments, and using
Quote: Dr John Criddle, Clinical Lead, Children’s Emergency Medicine, Evelina London Children’s Hospital. Image: ADP worked with consultants Art-In-Site to create child-friendly artwork as part of an integrated communication system at the Evelina Children’s Hospital. Cartoon characters and graphics of local landmarks created by Japanese artist Kirk, are used on information slices that are both educational and connected to place. Characters peeking through doors and on building fabric also provide a playful distraction.
“What a lovely surprise to find this new unit. Very calming, superb garden. Such a change from the former unit - gorgeous!�
Landscape The spaces between buildings can provide opportunities for recuperation, contemplation and activity, whilst also aiding orientation. We view landscape design as an integral element to our architectural work and we consider the whole environment, not just the building.
Quote: Macmillan Visitor Book. Images: Macmillan Renton Oncology Unit, Hereford County Hospital, Macmillan Cancer Support.
ADP’s landscape solutions integrate sustainability principles with the design of the public realm, to create healthy, safe and vibrant spaces. Gardens are proven to be therapeutic places, and can enhance mood, excitement and pleasure. Long term patients can use outdoor spaces to help rebuild body and spirit. A working garden can relieve the strain of being away from home and help lessen anxieties. Planting and the use of trees enhances biodiversity while tempering
the microclimate, potentially reducing pollution and noise impacts. Evergreen species provide structure and interest in shaded areas, and tree bark and light canopies offer dappled shade to seating areas. Using local and native species brings familiarity, and helps patients and visitors feel connected to their surroundings. Wayfinding, pedestrian and cycle routes can be made more legible with planting and appropriate finishes. Where car access is essential, shared landscaped surfaces can be used to lessen their impact. Features such as swales within soft landscaping can promote biodiversity in addition to attenuating rainwater. Where external space is limited for soft planting and use of trees, green roofs and green walls may be suitable alternatives to integrate green infrastructure.
“The Dinwoodie Centre has been successful due to its demonstrable outcomes which have exceeded all expectations. Its innovative trialling of new technologies, comprehensive engagement of all stakeholders, and the extraordinary determination of the delivery team made it a standout.”
RESEARCH AND TRAINING Today’s laboratories are incubators for important issues in the design of tomorrow’s disease prevention. medical research facilities. Not only does this produce more efficient World-class clinical research relies buildings, with far higher levels of on collaboration between public and utilisation, but it allows for knowledge private partnerships and clinical sharing and interaction between research networks. Such partnerships scientists across different subject present a clear opportunity for areas – creating an essential ‘creative’ supporting the needs of the health environment that supports worldservice of the future. class research. We have particular experience of delivering teaching, clinical and scientific research facilities that house the latest technology and equipment. Flexibility and shared access to resources have become increasingly
The medical training facilities we design enables the next generation of clinicians to share best practice in a ‘live’ work setting. This not only enhances the teaching and learning process, but also fosters innovation and ultimately saves lives.
Quote: RICS Awards Judges, 2017. Images (left and top right): Dinwoodie Centre, Wansbeck Hospital. Image (bottom right): Da Vinci Robot Operating Theatre, Royal Surrey County Hospital.
“This is a fantastic environment. The team should be proud of their work. Our population is getting older, we want this to be an example of what we can do in the rest of the hospital.” DESIGN FOR DEMENTIA Thirty percent of patients in any hospital will have some form of dementia, with an ever-increasing total of 800,000 in the UK, three percent of whom will be under 60. ADP has developed core principles for dementia friendly design, which can be applied across a variety of settings. Patients with dementia revert to their strongest memories, which are their 20s-30s. We strive to create an environment that is familiar and evokes memories of home, places, key events and familiar faces. The ability to personalise spaces is important in bringing these aspects together and combine to passively reduce distress, agitation, anger, humiliation, frustration and anxiety.
Quote: Paul Mears, OEC Yeovil District Hospital in ‘Grateful Eavis opens new dementia ward.’ Western Gazette, Thursday 21st March 2014. Image: Opening of Yeovil District Hospital Dementia Ward.
Legibility is key to the positive design of spaces, with defined, visual connections between spaces that accentuate public and private spaces. Spaces are clear of extensive fittings and fixtures to allow personalisation and flexibility. Break out and social or family spaces are clearly defined, often as part of a journey through the facility. Interior design is integrated to assist acoustics, legibility, definition
and safety of patients. This can be through simple contrasting colour, acoustic finishes, soft backed flooring, considered lighting and non-reflective finishes. A holistic approach is taken to integrating wayfinding and signage, supported by artwork and graphics, to ensure personalisation and legibility. This also applies to furniture, which must balance infection control requirements and robustness, with a look and feel that supports deinstitutionalised environments. Technology and lighting enhance the environment by maintaining orientation in colour lighting, stimulation through media and information provision. Natural daylight is maximised whilst avoiding contrast and glare, ideally with access to external secure, reassuring spaces that support a positive therapeutic environment with scope for gardening, walking and sitting. Privacy and dignity are fundamental at all times and spaces must also consider relatives, friends and carers, as well as create a positive working environment for staff.
“We have ensured that the architects have worked very closely with our staff on every aspect of the redesign. They know what works best for them and the patients.” National Expertise, lOCAL DELIVERY ADP has seven studios in the UK and an international office. This enables us to support our healthcare clients by uniting national expertise with a personal service delivered at a hands on, local level. Over the past five decades we have been continually learning from our clients. This has given us an in-depth knowledge of the sector, and our understanding of the complexity of delivering healthcare facilities. We offer a robust design and consultation management process that is delivered by experienced, passionate, and knowledgeable people. Good communication between the architect, client and other consultants is crucial, and we ensure that this
interaction continues throughout the design process. The capture and exploration of design ideas is supported by 3D BIM modelling and visualisation software that promotes collaboration, efficient delivery, and successful cost effective project outcomes. Putting people at the centre of the design process has resulted in architecture that has made a positive difference to the patient experience whilst improving operational efficiencies. Improving healthcare environments for patients means a lot to us, so we measure the outcomes of our work and invest in research, so that we continually improve what we do and contribute to the latest thinking.
Quote: Dr Simon Eccles, Clinical Lead, Emergency Care Pathways Project, St Thomas’ Hospital.
Birmingham Delhi NCR Edinburgh London Manchester Newcastle Oxford Sherborne
birmingham@adp-architecture.com delhi@adp-architecture.com edinburgh@adp-architecture.com london@adp-architecture.com manchester@adp-architecture.com newcastle@adp-architecture.com oxford@adp-architecture.com sherborne@adp-architecture.com
www.adp-architecture.com