STREET FURNITURE
SYCAMORE AT NORTHGATE PARK HOSPITAL SETS A NEW
STANDARD
FOR MENTAL HEALTH FACILITY DESIGN
At the heart of the £ 60m redevelopment of Northgate Park Hospital in Morpeth ( UK ), Sycamore is a new medium-security hospital prioritising patient wellbeing . It offers a wide variety of welcoming indoor and outdoor settings for relaxation and activity , relieving boredom and addressing the risk of challenging behaviours and poor physical health . These settings are enriched with a high-quality palette of landscape materials , and site furnishings that play an essential role in creating a positive image and reducing the stigma surrounding mental health facilities .
Designed by Medical Architecture with landscape architecture by Newcastle-based practice Colour , Sycamore offers inpatient accommodation for 72 male patients with a spectrum of forensic mental health needs . Six patient wards are paired together and arranged around a large recreation courtyard to form a secure boundary without the need for high fences and the imposing feeling they can create . In response to patient needs , the courtyard is divided into ‘ Passive ’ and ‘ Active ’ zones .
The ‘ Passive ’ zone provides refuge , with restful , semi-enclosed places to sit amongst plants and grasses . Streetlife ’ s Drifter picnic sets offer opportunities for groups to casually congregate , while the linear Drifter benches that line the pathways offer plentiful seating options with views out to the wider recreation area , serving as a gentle enticement to the activities offered .
Drifter benches and Drifter top seats also provide diverse seating options along the edges of the sport courts in the ‘ Active ’ zone , which also includes a 200m jogging / walking loop , activity spaces , and a fitness
‘ Trim Trail ’ to promote physical activity and its associated wellbeing benefits .
Colour selected Streetlife ’ s furnishings here for their contemporary style and robustness . Furthermore , specified Drifter products are realized in Streetife ’ s material option of Lava Grey , a durable composite made entirely from recycled household plastic waste . The landscape architects note that the environmental aspect of using high-quality recyclables is also an important characteristic of these furnishings .
In summary , the innovative spatial concepts and high-quality design elements specified at Sycamore mark a progressive shift towards a new standard for mental health facility design .
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