Architecture for healing
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Australia’s newest Acute Mental Health Unit in Ipswich, Queensland, builds on a foundation of healing to create an environment that nurtures wellbeing and mindfulness. The new 64-bed multi-storey facility designed by Hassell for West Moreton Health establishes a setting of dignity and calm and places person-focused care, recovery, and safety at its core. Accommodation, social areas, and gardens combine in a way reminiscent of a residential setting to assist in normalising and integrating mental healthcare in the community while establishing a direct link to Ipswich Hospital’s clinical campus. Sunlit rooms and corridors and verdant courtyard gardens connect to nature, helping to improve wellbeing and support the healing process. Openness and transparency, enabled by a glazed perimeter and lightwells, ensure passive observation across floors and maximise safety for all. As Hassell Principal Stephen Watson explains, the architecture, interior design and landscape architecture work together to enhance a feeling of calmness, familiarity and comfort, creating an environment that positively supports a progressive model of care. “The benefits from the investment in this exceptional design will translate to improved recovery rates for patients, but also improved conditions for staff and therefore better attraction, satisfaction and retention rates,” says Watson. “For visitors — family and loved ones — the design extends a warm welcome and supports their participation in the healing process.” |
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