How can our designs improve the nation’s health?

Exploring the role of community centric design in preventative healthcare

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In his recent report, Lord Darzi paints a stark picture of the parlous state of the National Health Service, a mammoth organisation faced with overwhelming demand, ageing infrastructure, and growing health disparities. While much of the discussion over the last few weeks has revolved around the need to increase funding and improve management structures, there is growing recognition among government and others of the need for three fundamental shifts in focus.
Come with us as we examine some of our projects through these new 'health' lenses, and commit to designing for health across all our architecture and urban design projects going forward.
01

From hospital to community services

Investing in primary and community services that support people and their health

At multi-generational Burridge Gardens, you'll find 54 self-contained apartments for the over 55s (at social rents) built above a beautiful, light and airy community centre. All have generous balconies, staggered to maximise opportunities for neighbourly conversation. Communal areas on the third floor include lounges and a terrace overlooking the main square.
The Aldingbourne Trust is a wonderful charity that uses its extensive rural grounds to work with a wide range of people with learning disabilities, of all ages. They help their clients to develop new skills, to gain employment and achieve qualifications, enabling them to lead more independent lives. Our building was completed using volunteer labour and a team of local architects, engineers, and builders. Forming a striking entrance to the Trust’s grounds it includes a visitor’s centre, conferencing facilities for rent, café, administrative offices, and craft shops.
The Midland Met Learning Campus in Smethwick, West Midlands, will focus on widening local participation in education and training, targeting hard to reach groups such as the homeless, those who are out of work, and people with refugee status who have skills and qualifications unrecognised in the UK. The building will be welcoming, inclusive and fully accessible, set in a landscape that will promote good health and wellbeing. Training rooms will be naturally lit and ventilated to save operational energy.
A women speaking to someone behind the reception deak.
Corby Cube, an innovative hybrid that combines the town hall, council services, the local library, an arts venue, and a start-up office space in one large volume. The ramp leading to the council services runs through the open-plan library, inviting passers-by to casually book-browse. The library has also become a great place for the community to socialise.
And older man and young child sat down and playing chess in Gillett Square
Gillett Square is a positive, vibrant place supporting a diverse, multicultural community. This inclusive spirit is embodied in the open-access galleries, the low threshold square and especially in our famed market pods. According to a study by anthropologist Nitasha Kapoor these pods foster the local community through their unique adaptability.
02

From treating sickness to preventing it

Public health strategies that keep people healthy

Agar Grove is Camden Council's largest project in its Community Investment Programme and promotes a ‘fabric-first’ approach to increase energy performance. Homes in the latest phase, which we expect to receive Passivhaus certification, reduce heating bills by up to 70% compared with the previous stock on the estate, easing fuel poverty.
High quality transport links are at the heart of healthy places. The fully accessible Elizabeth line has brought people closer to jobs, education and leisure facilities. It has provided new homes and employment, as well as a safe, happy and healthy environment for commuters and visitors to the Capital.
Waltham Forest Town Hall has been transformed into a one-stop shop for the community's needs, from accessing benefits and paying bills to getting married. It also sets a new standard for integrating residential, workplace, civic, commercial and cultural functions in spaces that are permeable and inviting.
Crystal Palace Park, its leisure and sports facilities are entering a new era, with a vision for the National Sports Centre to transform the heart of the park with a re-invented communal and activity hub that is accessible to all.
At Begbroke, we have planned a contemporary village, one that deliberately combines homes and employment space, local residents and university researchers. The scheme addresses the twin need of housing and economic growth through placing them next to each other. Neighbourhood-scaled green arteries are deliberately planned to interconnect large parklands beyond, thus providing access to greenspace that promotes good physical and mental health.
03

From analogue to digital

Improving experience and outcomes, through personalised and data driven care

The UCL Queen Square Institute of Neurology and UK Dementia Research Institute HQ: By physically reducing barriers between research groups, we can maximise opportunities for collaborative working and world-leading research practices, and speed up scientific and clinical outcomes. Sharing a single building, the same front door, facilities and services, encourages discussion and informs innovation, challenging the way that dementia research is carried out and innovative diagnostics and therapy is discovered.
The Elevate Quarter will cement Stevenage's position as a world leading destination for cell and gene therapy, laser focused on individual outcomes. Our proposals provide flexible and adaptable buildings that promote active lifestyles, collaborative working and flexibility for occupiers to grow from early stage to commercialisation.
The Synnovis Hub is the largest purpose built pathology lab in the UK, filled with cutting edge technology, and serving a patient population of almost two million. Our fit-out of an existing office building provides a variety of labs, write up, admin and social spaces. And a tele-lift distributes samples throughout the building.
All of us working in the built environment have a fundamental role in effecting these changes. Designing places and spaces that focus on their communities and are generous in their social agenda will help. Well-designed schools, better housing, agile workplaces, good transport links and inter-connected urban environments will all promote local engagement, provide positive outlooks and improve local health levels in the medium to long term. We must all design for health.