5 Windsor Walk – Arcadis

Nominee Information

5 Windsor Walk is one of the first standalone facilities in the UK dedicated to the administration of psychedelic drugs for treatment-resistant bipolar disorder, depression, and other mental health conditions. Forming part of the Centre for Mental Health Research and Innovation, set-up to accelerate innovative research and care models for mental health, the center will act as a platform for Compass Pathways to supply Psilocybin (the hallucinogenic compound found in magic mushrooms) for clinical use.

Arcadis acted as interior architects and designers to sympathetically refurbish a Victorian house set in a conservation area on the SLaM Denmark Hill campus, creating a home for psilocybin therapy. Despite existing structural and materialistic challenges, our solution creates a non-institutional ‘therapeutic hotel’ aesthetic, full of natural materials and light. Lighting has been designed specifically to help create a relaxed environment, with ambient LED colour change lighting to the perimeter of floating ceilings in the therapy and dosing rooms. Desk-mounted up lights, floor-mounted reading lights and overhead downlights enable user choice. Transfer of noise has been reduced by introducing high specification acoustics, while artwork is carefully integrated into the scheme including woollen hand-stitched feature panels attached to therapy room walls, which enhance the acoustic attenuation and creates a point of distraction for patients in therapy.

Rooms benefit from sofa-to-bed furniture offering flexibility and freedom for the service user. We engaged with the psychiatrist team to test daybed options which was invaluable. This informed the bespoke design of the daybeds, allowing dual use as both seat and bed for ultimate flexibility, with extra depth and length to accommodate for all body types.

The design of the patient WC needed to be mental health compliant, as users will not be supervised. Complete with anti-barricade doors and anti-ligature fittings, designing out risks included no sharp corners, integral blinds built into the doors for observation, staff call alarms in the patient rooms, and detachable chains on the blinds.

The classical features of the building were carefully balanced with contemporary finishes that respect the building’s heritage. The homely ambiance is subtly supported by technology including CCTV for user observation and flush ceiling microphones/speakers for two-way communication and relaxing music to flow into the space. Staff and users also benefit from maximised views out to the wider SLaM campus at the rear.

The refurbishment of 5 Windsor Walk has brought a crumbling Victorian building back to life. Restoration of original features such as sash windows, plaster cornicing, moulded architraves and skirting reduced waste and limited the purchase of new materials. Any new furniture and finishes were specially selected to ensure that they were both sustainable and efficient. The small terrace to the front has been refreshed, adding lighting and new signage to the building.

The refurbishment provides a center of excellence for the research and advancement of psilocybin therapy and has enabled the commencement of clinical trials. The center will be instrumental in supporting studies and research to tackle the rising mental health needs of the population.