Step Exhibitions
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.
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. The space provides a calm, green environment that can safely support a range of prescribed and flexible activities. Principles of ‘prospect’ and refuge’ were considered, with both high vantage points and more sheltered, enclosed seating areas providing patients with a choice of experience, whilst also facilitating appropriate supervision by staff.
As a result, the courtyard is separated into two distinct character zones—‘Passive’ and ‘Active’. The ‘Passive’ zone provides restful places to sit amongst plants and grasses. These smaller-scale spaces offer a sense of enclosure, combined with views out to the wider recreation area to provide gentle enticement into the activities offered. The ‘Active’ zone includes a 200m jogging/walking loop, social table tennis area with stepped seating, basketball court, mini-tennis court, fitness ‘trim trail’, and a covered sports barn. A collection of personalised paving markers with local reference points, display motivational messages and distance indicators to encourage activity.
With these patient groups, typical vertical features would provide a ligature risk, so instead, softly rolling grass mounds provide height definition to break up the large area. These are located and profiled not to obstruct views across the space by supervising staff, who can also gain a vantage point from the top of each mound.
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.
A detailed planting palette was developed in liaison with the Trust, to provide seasonal variation and semi-permeable enclosure to distinct spaces, whilst avoiding species that could be harmful or provide cover for contraband. Native species were used appropriately to support biodiversity enhancement, and within the main courtyard a large rain garden supports an integrated approach to water management.
Furniture has been designed or selected to be robust, comfortable and space appropriate. In the main courtyard, benches are formed from recycled materials, whilst in the ward courtyards a more domestic style of furniture suggests an extension of the internal environment. To foster a feeling of ownership, an artist worked closely with patients to create uplifting artwork for the exterior spaces.