Adolescent Mental Health Inpatient Unit

The Adolescent Mental Health Inpatient Unit is a purpose-built facility that combines adolescent services, a child and family centre and a learning centre in a single location.

Key features:

• the elevated site has stands of protected mature trees, and we worked with arboriculturists and the government Landscape Service to formulate an appropriate strategy
• mass shrub/woodland planting on the boundaries of the site provides a unifying structural framework to the landscape and buildings
• formal tree planting accentuates the more formal and structured parts of the development and gives vertical expression to the converging lines of the circulation routes
• ornamental planting is used at focal points to emphasise a destination, or within courtyards etc for enhanced amenity value
• outdoor spaces were designed to relate intimately to the indoor spaces, e.g., areas for picnics and barbecues outside dining rooms; play terraces related directly to the indoor recreation area and formal outdoor children’s play area
• in all areas, detailed design maximised opportunities for sensory stimulation. A vegetable garden and greenhouse were provided
• the intensive care wing has its own secure outdoor space, which was carefully designed to avoid opportunities for self-harm
• similarly, care was applied to all outdoor spaces – including planting – to avoid undue risk
• the central courtyard was designed in collaboration with an artist as a setting for several pieces of sculpture