Sycamore at Northgate Hospital

Developed around the concept of a ‘village campus’, Sycamore—a new medium secure mental health facility at the heart of Northgate Park Hospital—provides a wide variety of indoor and outdoor settings for relaxation and activity, ensuring a meaningful day for patients.

Six patient wards are paired together and arranged around a large recreation courtyard. This forms a secure boundary without the need for high fences and the feeling of confinement they can create. To be inclusive of patient needs, the courtyard is separated into a ‘Passive Zone’, with restful spaces, and an ‘Active Zone’, with walking loops, sports courts, and a fitness trail. With rich landscaping and integrated security measures, this shared space does not feel like a typical forensic mental health facility. To provide further options for privacy, at the centre of each ward, a private landscaped courtyard for relaxation is provided, and between each ward pair, a more secluded activity courtyard.

Ward bedrooms are arranged to face outwards, with views to the surrounding mature woodland. Abundant daylighting, attractive views and a sense of spaciousness contribute to the therapeutic qualities of the environment and play an important role in patient health, wellbeing, and rehabilitation. 
Image Credits : Richard Chivers

Client

NTW Solutions - Cumbria, Northumberland, Tyne and Wear NHS Foundation Trust

Project Team

Architects: Medical Architecture; Contractor: Sir Robert McAlpine; Services Engineer: CAD21; Structure and Civil Engineer: Billinghurst George & Partners; Landscape Design: Colour; Fire Safety: Centurion Fire Safety Solutions; CDM Coordinator: Richmond Sa

Location

Morpeth, United Kingdom

Stage

Completed September 2023