The ‘Therapeutic Art and Design Strategy’, developed by Ginkgo Projects and NHS Lothian, asked to enhance a series of key spaces within the new Royal Hospital for Children and Young People (designed by HLM architects). Our brief was to provide a design strategy for around 70 spaces: Interview Rooms, Sitting Rooms, Waiting Areas and Drop-in Centre that all aim to provide distraction and relief from the clinical environment.

To fully understand who and what we were designing for we took long walks with nursing staff through the hospital and spent time at the Drop-in Centre meeting children and families. As a key element of the project engagement we organised walks outwith the hospital, taking patients, families and staff on journeys through the city and beyond. We collected objects and stories that would weave their way into the design work while also providing surprise and change of routine for many people involved.

This sensitivity to and involvement of patients and NHS staff in both the concept and fabrication of the design work has developed strong relationships between the work and the end users.

A series of ‘Anchor Tables’ feature stones cast into jesmonite and polished to custom terrazzo tops for the Interview Rooms. We worked closely with infection control and fire safety experts to safely introduce natural materials including timber and plywood into these key spaces. Terrazzo benches were also designed for Waiting Areas which add an unexpected weight and robust in contrast to the clinical environment of the ward.

In the Drop-in Centre, we worked closely with Bespoke Atelier who developed a pattern with children in long-term care. This was hand-screen printed onto plywood cabinetry and now forms the backdrop for the centre. Importantly, this gave the children a connection to the new space before they were transferred and eased the uncertainty and anxiousness that it brought.