Step Exhibitions
Seastone CAMHS Psychiatric Intensive Care Unit – Medical Architecture
Nominee Information
There is a shortage of facilities in the south of England for children and young people with an acute mental health illness who cannot be safely cared for on a General Adolescent Unit. This Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services (CAMHS) Psychiatric Intensive Care Unit for Dorset HealthCare will enable staff to effectively treat 12- to 18-year-old patients who display highly complex and challenging behaviours, in a secure and dignified setting.
Integration into the landscape
Taking advantage of the steeply sloping site and woodland setting, the new building is located on an existing plateau, elevating the patient accommodation so there is a direct connection to the surrounding trees.
The new building is positioned at a lower elevation to a Grade II* Listed hospital building, from which, the roof forms a prominent visual feature. The design proposes a high-quality standing seam zinc roof finish and a buff brick base which complement the heritage building and ensure the longevity of the building envelope.
Spaces for the recovery of a vulnerable patient group
Considering the complex needs of the patient group, the building has been designed to ensure safety and wellbeing. Clear zoning of accommodation enables patients to co-exist in harmony with opportunities for separation to de-escalate tension. All patient accommodation and clinical space is located on a single level, linked by comfortably wide circulation, enabling an ease of movement between zones, and clear sight lines for staff.
A large central courtyard acts as a focal point to the patient accommodation, providing a secure and accessible space for activity. A two-classroom school and the patient day spaces—including a television room, games room, and lounge—are arranged around the courtyard offering a choice of engaging views. Characterised by generous amounts of glazing, they offer bright, vibrant environments with opportunities for passive observation. Strategically located rooflights highlight a series of special spaces within the building, including a central snug seating area.
A calming, familiar environment
The ensuite bedrooms form an important safe sanctuary for the young patients and have been designed to provide a comfortable and private space. A large secure window, with a generous window seat provides a comfortable place to view the surrounding treescape and its wildlife. The bed and wardrobe have been designed as bespoke built-in joinery, subtly integrating the requirements for safety and robustness, whilst creating a familiar environment.
Energy efficient design
Early work to rationalise the required volume of accommodation has ensured a high-quality environment that represents value for money and resource efficiency.
The sustainable design strategy prioritises passive design in a Be Lean, Be Clean and Be Green approach. The external fabric provides optimum levels of insulation and airtightness, to reduce the requirements for heating. The performance of the glazing and a series of rooflights, has been carefully considered to maximise natural daylight—minimising artificial lighting— whilst allowing a controlled amount of passive solar heating.
A large photovoltaic panel array will provide a minimum annual yield of 53,000 kWh. The building is on target to achieve BREEAM ‘Excellent’.
