Roseberry Park, Middlesbrough

Phase 1 of this £75million hospital redevelopment is now completed with patients being transferred into the new ward blocks over the next week.

The redevelopment of the previous St Luke’s Hospital provides a new 312 bed inpatient mental health facility for forensic services and adult mental health services with design focussing on the creation of a therapeutic environment positioning a number of low rise accommodation blocks around large activity gardens and unit specific courtyards to ensure that all patients have contact with beneficial external space.

To provide the first impression and service functionality, a new pedestrian-priority entrance plaza has been creates a warm, welcoming arrival to the hospital.

Sustainable design principles have been adopted in its design, incorporating bespoke permeable paving, a wind turbine and a high proportion of native planting species. To meet sustainability and security parameters, and suit free-flowing curved spaces, we made widespread use of in situ concrete pedestrian surfaces with careful attention to colour, texture and aggregate.

Secure activity gardens have been designed around a gentle curvaceous landscape framework with spaces being defined by tree and hedge planting that create a variety of spaces - from open to private; for staff, patients and visitors to enjoy. Allotment garden areas have been included within the designs for ecotherapy, with gardening projects that can allow patients to shape their own environment. In addition, an all weather sports pitch provides year-round access to external sports activities.

Integrated art work designed by advisors Grit and Pearl in the form of a poetic ribbon winds its way from the entrance plaza to the individual block entrances within the activity gardens. This includes seating locations as part of the ‘journey’.

Colour-UDL worked closely with contractors Laing O’Rourke and Medical Architecture and Art Projects.