During the refurbishment of parts of an existing learning disabilities centre a few years ago, in the background at every site visit, I could always hear one of the residents in distress. The area where the works were being carried out was not connected to the residents’ area and I was surprised to find, in an environment where noise is one of the biggest stressors, how easily the sound travelled to different parts of the building. A few years after, on the same campus, I was involved in the design of a new building to replace the old facility. Once the new building was completed and in use, I was delighted to hear from the Modern Matron how well the gentleman had settled into the new building, leading to a drastic reduction in distressful episodes. The observation and collection of feedback from residents, nursing and maintenance staff to understand what triggers distressing behaviours is the base for our design activities. The aim remains to understand how physical surroundings affect emotions, as people’s emotions ultimately can shape a building’s design.
An ever more complete body of evidence is emerging to understand how people react to different environments before and after a design intervention with health outcome measures such as length of stay, amount of medications, patient stress and mood. Linking design and mental health Earlier last year, the publication of Design with People in Mind, based on research led by Professor Paula Reavey and sponsored by the Design in Mental Health Network (DiMHN), set out to provide a practical manual offering links between a high-quality environmental design and mental health services, understanding people’s perceptual experiences focusing on different types of space. Far from supporting one solution that fits all, the comprehensive review of scientific evidence offers a link between design, space and mental health, recognising that we all have precise genetic finger prints that influence our behaviour. A well-designed environment allows us to regain balance and control of our health and condition often in a subliminal way, delaying the escalation
Good recovery environments The ability to exercise choice and control over the environment, creating a personal space, is an essential component of a good recovery environment, appreciating and respecting the individual characteristics of the people around. Service users need opportunities to engage with each other and those supporting them within a choice of alternative social spaces. Numerous studies have indicated the value of music therapy to address anxiety and depression, so a range of DVD and music options can have a positive impact on service users’ sense of well-being. In 1860, Florence Nightingale wrote that darkened rooms were harmful and sunlit room were healthy. It is also a well-documented fact that sleep is the most basic of our brain’s restorative needs and the natural light control strategy can be particularly important to restore E
Volume 19.1 | HEALTH BUSINESS MAGAZINE
Written by Alex Caruso, Alessandro Caruso Architects
On behalf of the Design in Mental Health Network, Alex Caruso explains how designing facilities appropriately can improve safety and patient outcomes, as well as benefit the mental health of patients
Design & Build
Why design is integral to mental health services
of distress and allowing more time to the medical team to treat urgent needs. To research people’s basic needs in the healing journey and understand how good design can reduce stress is a fascinating investigation where empathy is a critical ingredient via every step of the design process, paying attention to the multitude of details and sensory experiences required to craft a people-centred environment that is robust and sustainable. The above-mentioned publication explores critical spaces for a good recovery environment, places that offer people endless opportunities for engagement linking in with past experiences, places designed to support emotions and lift the spirit. They are: personal space; therapeutic space; natural space; aesthetic space; and nursing space. “As people move through space, the design can make a real difference to the emotional and social landscape: it can impact on how much people talk to one another, how supported they feel, whether they feel safe, and perhaps most importantly, how valued the feel as an individual.”
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