Hospitals are often large and daunting places. Whilst their ultimate goal is to offer some TLC and hopefully get the sick and infirm back on their feet, that’s not always the case. There are numerous wards on a hospital, all with different needs to be met.
Take for example, a Tuberculosis Clinic, a Therapy Centre, a Maternity Ward, and a Paediatric Ward, and all the signage around a hospital leading to each different area. It is not an easy task to set about designing a refurbishment for any of these aspects of a hospital; however, it’s also one that Shropshire-based hospital design architects, Johnson Design Partnership, have a proven track record for successfully completing.
JDP attempt to ensure no two hospital design projects are a direct copy of those that have come before. They pride themselves in their understanding that each client and all those who will go on to benefit from the project are unique individuals, each with their own wants and needs.
JDP ensure strict safety guidelines and regulations are adhered to, but when designing for healthcare and hospital designs, they also want to ensure a sense of community and warmth between patients and staff. The finished project will be catering to a high volume of patients and staff, and JDP are aware of the stress and anxiety that the hospital environment can cause people.
Whether it’s a drawing up building plans for a fresh design, or complete refurbishment of the wards, there are still ways for JDP to incorporate their unique methods of innovation and creativity into a medical architecture project.
Having clearly laid out and coloured coded hospital wayfinding signage is one aspect of acting as healthcare design consultants that JDP already have extensive knowledge with and have proven with past projects. As far as we are aware, John hasn’t popped off for a wee and ended up missing his surgery because he misread directions.
JDP are fully aware that every ward will have a broader set of criteria to hit, and also a more ward-specific one too. For example, if you’re visiting the Tuberculosis Clinic or a Therapy Centre, there’re going to be specific pieces of equipment needed. CXR and ultrasound machines that identify the extent of your illness maybe be essential in the Tuberculosis Clinic, whilst a Therapy Centre may require, cardiovascular equipment, rehabilitation devices, weight-based equipment. Any hospital design architect worth their salt has to consider these in their designs, or there may not be enough space for the wards to carry out their purposes.
Similarly, a Maternity Ward and Paediatric Unit are both going to come with a specific set of challenges. Is there suitable bedding and seating arrangement for families? Parking is also a key factor. The hospital can be a daunting place at the best of times; you don’t want to have to worry about how you’re going to get your loved one inside.
Having the most efficient equipment on site (and proper places to safely store and dispose of things) is not only cost-effective, but also sustainable too. It means equipment is less likely to fail, and that patient and staff are more comfortable in the knowledge they have the best equipment available. Sustainability is one of the key things JDP’s NHS architects set out to incorporate into all their projects. What benefits people now, should still be able to benefit them for generations to come.
The implementation of comfort in areas designed for all, or for specific individuals, is high up on JDP’s priority list when designing for healthcare. Waiting areas, or social spaces to allow people to sit and take a break from their sessions with a family member or friend, are important. Similarly, areas where food and drinks are served, or outdoor spaces to unwind, can all be made more to feel more peaceful and comfortable, rather than sterile and clinical.
The implementation of stairs and lifts, alongside the positioning of rails along the walls, easily accessible toilet and washing facilities, ready to use antibacterial lotions and clean face-masks, available mobility aids, and an open space for movement are all crucial. An open space also ensures patients and staff can maintain visual contact at all times, a comfort for many.
There may be strict guidelines about the positioning of beds and equipment, but again, there are ways to be innovative with architecture for community that makes the ward feel more relaxing. Artwork, the design of bedside tables, bean bags, matts, and cushions, all tailored to the specific ward, can all alter one’s perception for the better. Who doesn’t love a comfy bean bag?
Pictures on the wall, flowers on a table, large windows with visibility to the outside, or a naturalistic outdoor space for people to use (weather-permitting), are further ways of bringing innovation to an NHS architect project. They can help in calming patients, staff and family, and remind them of the community they are part of.
The positioning of beds may allow for a more communal sense to the room. In particular, on a Paediatric Ward, if children can see one another then they can be more sociable and this can lend them comfort during their stay. Similarly, the colour of the walls can be more calming than the potential sterile feeling of all-white.
Designing social areas or a games room are further ways to keep children feeling calm and safe during their stay, and acts as a reminder to parents that their children are safe. Social areas specific to other wards have the potential to allow those there for the same reason to socialise, which can be a comfort if discussing a shared issue they may have.
Certain wards may also require patients to have their own personal room. This could be for a number of reasons, so safety and specific equipment is still of paramount importance. That’s not to say JDP’s hospital design architects can’t get stuck in with their creativity and allow innovation to shine through to make families feel more at peace during their stay.
JDP have proved that their innovative and sustainable designs can be creative and add some flair to a project, and have no intention of slowing down. Whether it be a project in the healthcare sector, or a different one, JDP’ medical architects are not ones to shy away from a challenge. What they are also not shy of is ensuring that a final project has them building strong relationships with both clients and communities; this is key to the JDP ethos.
