Sycamore at Northgate Park Hospital – Medical Architecture

Nominee Information

Sycamore is a new medium-secure mental health facility providing inpatient accommodation for 72 male patients with a range of forensic mental health needs, including complex personality disorders and/or learning disabilities.

It is well recognised that in secure mental health inpatient units, boredom leads to challenging behaviours and poor physical health. Following engagement with clinicians, the facility was devised as a ‘village campus’, with as many spaces as possible, both inside and out, creating a meaningful day for patients. This is achieved in a range of settings that can be accessed autonomously, from bedrooms to living spaces, and sheltered gardens to open courtyards, with opportunities for both structured and unstructured sports and activities.

Six patient wards are paired together and arranged around a large recreation courtyard. This forms a secure boundary without the need for high fences and the feeling of confinement they can create. To be inclusive of patient needs, the courtyard is separated into a ‘Passive Zone’, with restful spaces, and an ‘Active Zone’, with walking loops, sports courts, and a fitness trail. With rich landscaping and integrated security measures, this shared space doesn’t feel like a typical forensic mental health facility.

To provide patients with a choice of open or private spaces for activity and wellbeing, at the centre of each ward, a private landscaped courtyard for relaxation is provided, and between each ward pair is a designated activity courtyard. Patient bedrooms also feature bespoke fitted furniture to assist with a personal workout.

In each patient ward, the bedrooms are arranged to provide outward views to an area of surrounding woodland. Day spaces are at the centre of the ward with direct access and views into the courtyards. Abundant daylighting, integrated artwork, natural materials, and a sense of spaciousness contribute to their therapeutic quality. Standardized rooms and ward layouts ensure that services can flex and change, to ensure long term sustainability.

The exterior appearance was designed to reduce the stigma surrounding mental illness within the community and to engender pride in the building as a workplace. A controlled palette of materials integrates the building within the hospital site and presents a positive image. The reception building provides a secure boundary to a large section of the internal plan, reducing the need for high fencing, which can appear intimidating. A visible and publicly accessible café with integrated artwork provides a welcoming space.

To foster a feeling of ownership, artist Dan Savage worked closely with patients to create the artwork for the building. A consultation session exploring image association for the local places that lend the six wards their names, became the focus for the designs.

Sustainability was considered from the outset. A ‘fabric first’ approach was taken, getting the passive performance right to reduce the potential energy demand. The building airtightness performance achieves significant improvement against hospital benchmark standards. All materials used were specified for longevity and to allow dismantling, disposal, recycling and re-purposing. The building is expected to achieve BREEAM ‘Excellent’ and has achieved EPC ‘A’ rating.