A therapeutic escape the mental health & dementia facilities magazine NOVEMBER 2023 PROJECTS The latest mental health and dementia developments DEMENTIA DESIGN Creating spaces where every person can thrive OUTDOOR SPACES Focus on the design of a new mental health garden at Ulster Hospital p5 p10 p15
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mhdf magazine 3 Contents APRIL 2023 Editor’s Note A new era Mental health services are continuing to come under the spotlight, with media reports of long waits for treatment and a review of inpatient environments following a number of suicides in psychiatric facilities. And these pressures are unlikely to reduce in the coming months, so innovation and new ways of working will be crucial. This will be my last edition as editor of mhdf magazine as I am moving to pastures new, but having got to know many of those at the forefront of the delivery of mental health services and estates over the past 12 years, I know that they will continue to meet the challenges as they present themselves. During my time as editor I have come to understand, and I hope to champion, the role that the environment has on all building users – whether they be patients, staff, or visitors. And through the magazine I have showcased many of these incredible innovations and spoken to experts about why the estate needs to be front and centre when we talk about modernising services. In this edition we look at the impact of nature and landscaping on mental health, exploring the design of a new mental health garden at Ulster Hospital (p15); and Shaz Hawkins of Tarkett explores how applying some of the inclusive design thinking to dementia care could help enhance living environments for millions of older people (p10). In our regular Project section (p5) there are details of topping-out ceremonies at mental health facilities in Manchester, Chesterfield, and Derby; and completion of a new psychiatric intensive care unit in Oxford. And you can read about how a leading mental health NHS trust is supporting the next generation of healthcare construction professionals (p13). Moving forward, mhdf will be written by Dan Colombini with features in the next edition including nurse call solutions and security systems. Editor Jo Makosinski Sales director Julian Walter Production Nicola Cann Design Mary McCarthy Managing Director Toby Filby Publishers Stable Publishing Limited, SBC House, Restmor Way, Wallington, Surrey SM6 7AH, England. t. 020 8288 1080 f. 020 8288 1099 e. [email protected] In this issue: 5 PROJECTS The latest mental health and dementia projects 10 DEMENTIA DESIGN The role of inclusive design in supporting people with dementia 15 OUTDOOR SPACES Special report on a new mental health garden at Ulster Hospital Ulster Hospital mental health garden. McIlwaine Landscape Architects The publishers do not necessarily agree with views expressed by contributors and cannot accept responsibility for claims made by manufacturers and authors, nor do they accept any responsibility for any errors in the subject matter of this publication.
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mhdf magazine 5 A new eight-bed psychiatric intensive care unit (PICU) is set to open at Warneford Hospital in Oxford. Designed by GBS Architects, the £4m development, which was supported by NHS England/Improvement funding, will enable young people experiencing the most-acutely-disturbed phase of a serious mental disorder to receive specialist help closer to home. The unit also has a seclusion suite, de-escalation room, school rooms, and an outside gym and sports area. Commissioned by Oxford Health NHS Foundation Trust, the PICU will provide a safe and supportive environment for patients, featuring door ligature alarm systems from Safehinge and specially-designed furniture from Pineapple Contracts. The building is located alongside the award-winning Highfield Adolescent Inpatient Unit on the Warneford site and will play a central role in a new regional model for the delivery of specialised mental health care for children and young people. Debbie Richards, executive managing director for mental health, learning disabilities and autism at the trust, said: “This specialist PICU unit is essential so that young people can be cared for as close to home as possible to ensure the best-possible outcomes “We have seen an increase in demand and acuity during COVID and our clinicians are constantly managing regional and local pressures on beds. “This additional capacity will be a most-welcome and timely addition.” www.gbsarchitects.co.uk uk.pineapplecontracts.com www.safehingeprimera.com PICU brings care closer to home PROJECTS The new unit will reduce the number of patients sent out of the area for treatment Specialist furniture from Pineapple Contracts was commissioned for the facility
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mhdf magazine 7 PROJECTS Making room for dignity A traditional topping-out ceremony has been held to mark a milestone in the construction of new mental health facilities in Chesterfield and Derby. Contractor, Integrated Health Projects (IHP), the joint venture between VINCI Building and Sir Robert McAlpine, recently celebrated the topping out of Derbyshire Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust’s new psychiatric facilities – marking the overall completion of the building structure. Dating back to the Roman era, the ceremony saw a bagpiper led guests to the rooftop where IHP works manager, Mick Murphy, nailed an evergreen bough to the structure, did a symbolic concrete pour, and presented a tankard to Geoff Neild, the trust’s programme director, for a ‘job well done’. The new facilities are being delivered as part of the trust’s £150m Making Room for Dignity programme – a project using a blend of central, regional, and trust funding to completely revamp the county’s mental health inpatient facilities. The works include the Derwent Unit, a 54-bed mental health facility for adult acute care at the Chesterfield Royal Hospital; and the Carsington Unit and 14-bed Psychiatric Intensive Care Unit (PICU) planned for Kingsway Hospital in Derby. Every room will be en-suite and temperature controlled, with the facilities also including a shared therapy suite, kitchen, indoor fitness room, online library resource room, arts room, and access to a secure roof terrace and garden for wards on the first floor. Neild said: “The Derwent Unit at Chesterfield and Carsington Unit at Derby form the backbone of our dormitory eradication programme, giving each service user their own en-suite bedroom. “For those service users from Derbyshire requiring intensive psychiatric care, there is currently no provision within the county and our service users are currently placed in out-of-area facilities. This has a huge impact on the ability of family and loved ones to provide support at a time when it is often most needed. “Kingfisher House will provide a 14-bedded unit meeting the needs of male service users in Derbyshire and, along with the newly-refurbished Audrey House, the trust can meet the majority of the needs of both male and female service users requiring high acuity facilities. “I am delighted that these new facilities will give staff, service users, family, and friends fantastic settings in which to deliver or receive therapeutic care and support.” www.ihprojects.co.uk The new facilities are part of a shake-up of mental health services Specialist mental health provider, The Priory, has invested £100,000 in a new wellbeing centre in Southampton. The move has seen an existing service move to a significantly-larger facility, providing greater access to diagnostic services, treatments, and therapy sessions, particularly for autism. Based on the site of Priory’s former Manor Clinic in Mansbridge Road, Southampton Wellbeing Centre has eight large rooms for group therapy sessions, and a garden space for outdoor activities. And many of the rooms have been specifically designed to help support children. Clare Gask, clinical lead at the the centre, said: “For those living on the South Coast, we know there has been a gap in provision for many patients for some time. “Our ethos has always been to promote the importance of early assessment and diagnosis and we hope that by offering a friendly and discreet service that is accessible and convenient, we can play an active part in supporting and navigating our patients towards a better quality of life and long-term recovery.” The centre provides access to oneto-one therapy, group sessions, and evidence-based treatment methods, such as Eye Movement Desensitisation and Reprocessing (EMDR). www.priorygroup.com PRIORY INVESTS IN WELLBEING CENTRE
8 mhdf magazine PROJECTS A RECORD INVESTMENT caption Work on Greater Manchester Mental Health NHS Foundation Trust’s (GMMH) new flagship adult mental health inpatient unit began a year ago and construction of the main building recently reached its highest point. The largest capital project the trust has undertaken to date, once completed, the facility – which will be known at North View – will have 150 patient bedrooms, each with a private en-suite shower room as well as a variety of indoor activity areas, meeting rooms for family visiting, multiple gardens, spaces for therapeutic artwork, and a café. Designed by Gilling Dod Architects and being built by Integrated Health Projects (IHP), the recent topping-out ceremony marks the completion of the steel frame of the building and work is now underway to clad the exterior to make the build watertight and to enable the interior fittings and first-fix electrical and mechanical works to commence. Andrew Maloney, trust deputy chief executive, said: “It is fantastic to see the building taking shape, giving an insight into the life-changing development it is going to become. “This is more than just a building – it will be a unique healthcare setting that will benefit and serve the local community for years to come. “The project is close to the hearts of those involved, including service users, carers, and clinicians who have supported decisions on the design of the building so we can deliver the best-possible care for all our patients.” The hospital is set to open next autumn. www.gillingdod.com www.ihprojects.co.uk The topping-out ceremony marked the completion of the steel frame of the building Work on a new £105m mental health facility in Manchester is gathering pace, with a topping-out ceremony marking a key milestone in the construction project. A new day centre for people with learning disabilities and complex needs is being built in West Bromwich. Specialist care provider, Select Lifestyles, plans to open the new facility later this month after transforming a building in Throne Road, Rowley Regis. Designed by Mood Interiors, the £100,000 revamp includes widening doors and corridors; the installation of ramps; the fitting of extensive plumbing work to make space for more bathrooms and wetrooms; the installation of an inclusive kitchen with different workspace levels suitable for all clients; and the fitting of a specially-designed quiet room, outdoor courtyard, music, and arts and crafts room. And throughout the house specially-chosen colours will support people with visual impairments. In addition, a sensory room, designed and fitted out by Rhino UK, will be a central feature of the house, giving people the opportunity to enhance their learning through occupational therapy and entertainment and helping to improve physical and cognitive skills. Nick Horton, managing director of Select Lifestyles, said: “We are so excited to announce the opening of our new site at Throne Road. “Most importantly, we cannot wait to see the site become a centre and a hub for our existing and new clients. “The installation of the specially-designed new sensory room is a particularly-exciting prospect as the benefits these rooms provide can often be lifechanging.” www.selectlifestyles.co.uk www.moodinteriors.co.uk www.rhinouk.com DAY CENTRE GETS A FACELIFT The unit is due to open next autumn
DEMENTIA DESIGN Much progress has been made regarding the role of inclusive design in supporting neurodiverse individuals across a variety of settings. And, following the recent publication of its new guide, Human Conscious Design Principles - Creating spaces where everyone can thrive, Shaz Hawkins, segment manager for aged care at Tarkett, explores how applying some of this inclusive design thinking to dementia care could help enhance living environments for millions of older people 10 mhdf magazine FRESH THINKING IN DESIGNING FOR DEMENTIA CARE Human diversity takes as many forms as there are people. We all have an array of traits, talents, and skills that shape how we see and interact with the world around us. And this changes as we go through life. As we age, the way we think, speak, and function changes naturally. However, some of these differences have been identified as distinct and diagnosable conditions. This is when behaviours do not quite conform with what’s considered the norm. THE DIVERSITY OF HUMANS To frame how some of us perceive the world differently from the majority, over our lifetime, sociologist, Judy Singer, coined the term neurodiversity. This encapsulates different neurotypes, which Singer calls neurotypicals and neuro divergents. People with neuro differences include those with a number of different diagnoses such as autism spectrum disorder (ASD), attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), dyslexia, dyspraxia, dyscalculia, and Tourette’s. Neurodiversity, in its broadest sense, also includes cognitive medical conditions such as dementia. EMBRACING INCLUSIVE DESIGN While the otherness of any kind of diagnosis can be stigmatising, it can also be a useful framework for understanding and meeting the needs of different groups of people. What are the particular challenges faced, and how can we make sure the spaces we create support these and individual needs, for example? In the case of elder care, knowing that Alzheimer’s is the most-prevalent form of the disease – affecting 50-60% of adults living with dementia – it is the built environment’s responsibility to understand the condition well and put patients at the heart of the design process from the start. And, at its core, this is what inclusive design is all about – celelebrating the vast diversity of human experiences. Due to the specific healthcare requirements that need to be in place as
mhdf magazine 11 DEMENTIA DESIGN Material choice, colour schemes, and fixtures and fittings can all impact on the way people perceive a space In personal spaces it is recommended to create a home-from-home feeling dementia progresses, care settings must naturally prioritise health and safety to promote confident mobility. But, by honing in on medical needs, are we missing other opportunities, beyond just safety, to further enhance living environments for patients? And, in doing so, are we prematurely compromising people’s quality of living? From this perspective, it can be useful to look at other segments. Educational establishments and workplaces, for example, are already more frequently employing design strategies that better support people who are prone to being either over or under stimulated by their surroundings – a common factor for neurodiverse learners and employees. Recognising the need to create carefully- stimulating and psychologically-safe spaces is a strand of ‘inclusive design’, and by integrating elements of this approach into designing for dementia care, too, operators could find novel ways to further support the some 50 million people, worldwide currently living with this growing public health concern. A BROADER SET OF REQUIREMENTS To help teams plan and design environments that support us throughout our lives – from education and workplaces, right through to elder care – it is important to acknowledge that there is significant overlap between people’s needs: be they neurodiverse or more neurotypical. So, instead of single-mindedly honing in one group’s preferences over another, it’s about applying what we now know to cater for a broader range of requirements. The creation of safe, familiar, and therapeutic environments that help protect people’s privacy and promote social inclusion when faced with an isolating diagnosis, like dementia, relies on specific spatial and material considerations. There is currently no cure for the condition, but there are treatments and interventions that can help to manage symptoms and improve quality of life. CALM, FAMILIAR, AND CONTROLLED Specially-considered surfaces and finishes can be an important factor in the successful management of Alzheimers and dementia symptoms: • Acoustics are paramount as, besides making busy areas more palatable, background noise appears louder and can interfere with orientation, increasing the risk of falls • Make sure there is at least 30 LRV points contrast between walls and floors to aid wayfinding • Consider slip resistance to encourage safe and more-confident movement • Materials that can help improve air quality are important as many elderly individuals have a higher prevalence of breathlessness • Choose traditional, familiar patterns, mixing different designs and colours to create dementia-friendly combinations by avoiding anything too busy, too dark, or especially high contrast • Our eyes get less sensitive to detail and colour and more prone to glare as we age so uniform lighting is preferable as is the avoidance of hard, shiny surfaces that can appear slippery and wet In personal spaces it is recommended to create a home-from-home feeling. This can be achieved by: • Choosing traditional designs and textures that will create a sense of familiarity • Including people’s own furniture as much as possible and selecting artwork and artefacts that represent the era when they were most active • Keeping upholstery and floor coverings simple, using relatively-plain patterns and material effects • Specifying wipeable materials that allow people to be cared for without compromising their dignity DESIGNING FOR LIFE Embracing dementia as another form of neurodiversity is an empowering stance that supports an important shift in our mindsets. It’s not just about keeping ourselves and our loved ones safe, it’s about stimulating people in a way that enables them to be their best selves, wherever they are on their journey through life. By deliberately considering a more- diverse set of needs, we can embrace both what sets us apart and brings us together – in buildings that have been designed to nurture, not alienate. Because, when faced with something that can have such a devastating impact on families, it is vital that we foster inclusivity and build communities, not care homes, that celebrate all that it is to be human. www.tarkett.com
ess. dementia facilitie the mental health 9th - 10th November De Vere Cotswold Water Park Designing for we and recovery es forum h & do busine connect. meet. 2023 ellbeing um.co.uk hiatric facilities” 8 1080 dementia , he latest trends , build or & dementia ntary delegate. co.uk -events.co.uk Event Partner Share best practice and explore the late facilities. With a dedicated seminar programme, “ tailored meetings, drinks receptions, lunc Our unique formula brings the communi and developments whilst also offering en Attend as a supplier delegate As a supplier you will have unprecedente to the key decision-makers working on a projects across mental health & dement Book your place - [email protected] call now: 020 8288 st in design, build and delivery across mental health & d “Creating the next generation of patient-centred psych ches and gala dinner. ty together providing the perfect platform to discuss th ndless networking opportunities. ed access active tia estates. Attend as a project delegate If you are involved in the design, management of mental health facilities join us as a complimen Secure your space - [email protected] ww ww.mhdf-foru stable- [email protected]
CONSTRUCTION NEWS BUILDING SITE PROVIDES CAREER OPPORTUNITIES An NHS mental health trust is providing hands-on experience to nurture a new generation of construction workers. Greater Manchester Mental Health NHS Foundation (GMMH) has joined Integrated Health Projects (IHP), the joint venture between VINCI Building and Sir Robert McAlpine; Manchester City Council; and the Skills Construction Centre, to open a new Community Skills Centre for North Manchester. The centre, which officially opened on 12 September, is situated on the construction site of GMMH’s new £105m adult mental health inpatient unit, North View, on the North Manchester General Hospital (NMGH) site. The hands-on skills centre will support residents aged 16-24 who are not in employment, education, or training to gain new skills and experience for employment, and will help close the future construction skills gap. It will provide local people furthest away from the labour market the opportunity to gain a Level 1 Award in a construction trade of their choice, alongside basic digital, maths, and English skills. And it will offer participants a minimum of 70 hours practical work experience on the North View site. Danielle Doherty, VINCI Building’s social value manager, said: “We understand the barriers some young people face getting into employment and believe everyone should be provided with the opportunity to showcase their best qualities away from the traditional interview. “Providing training and a minimum of 70 hours work experience allows candidates to gain confidence and showcase their work ethic away from an otherwise-stressful setting.” Marc Reed, associate director of capital, estates and facilities at GMMH, added: “We are passionate about improving the lives of our most-vulnerable residents in any way we can; and moving into training and employment is a great step that can have a really-positive impact on mental health. “The construction of our new £105m mental health unit provides an excellent opportunity for local people who aren’t in employment, education, or training to do just this.” Work on North View started in August 2022, with the new unit anticipated to be built and open by early next year. Once completed, the upgrade will house a purpose-built Psychiatric Intensive Care Unit (PICU), eight adult acute wards, and a treatment suite. And the new development will see significant improvements to the patient experience, with spacious single bedrooms, each with a private ensuite shower room, as well as a variety of indoor activity areas, meeting rooms for family visiting, multiple gardens, spaces for therapeutic artwork, and a café. www.ihprojects.co.uk mhdf magazine 13
14 mhdf magazine What mental health & dementia facilities forum When 9-10 November 2023 Where The De Vere – Cotswold Water Park Web www.mhdf-forum.co.uk The importance of design The annual event offers suppliers of specialist mental health and dementia products and services the opportunity to meet key decision-makers involved in the design and construction of health and care facilities. Creating a productive networking environment through which delegates can create long-lasting business relationships; supplier and project delegate schedules are matched in advance to ensure their time at the event is maximised. There are also three speaker sessions, with experts from the sector offering advice on making the most of what is a challenging marketplace. And this year these sessions will focus on how design interventions can directly impact on recovery, as well as supporting hard-working staff to deliver high-quality health and care services. Speakers will include Angeli Gnoo-Fletcher of PRP Architects, who will speak about landscape design principles for dementia care settings; and Kate Townsend, programme manager for the South East region on the Greener NHS programme of care. And delegates will learn about the UK’s first crisis support café, which recently opened in Ealing; and hear from Hannah Chamberlain, the new chief executive of the Design in Mental Health Network. Speaking after last year’s event, a spokesman for supplier delegate, Kingsway, said: “The forum is an excellent event, providing an opportunity to connect with key personnel from NHS trusts and healthcare providers in the private sector, along with associated project architects and consultants – it is definitely a key date in the diary!” A project delegate from Medical Architecture added: “mhdf is a great way to network, learn, and build relationships. “It’s a relaxed atmosphere with mutual respect for what suppliers and delegates do. “It really is a unique event.” The event also includes a project delegates drinks/canapes networking reception and a gala dinner with after-dinner entertainment. There is still time to book your place at the event. For more information visit the website at: www.mhdf-forum.co.uk or call 020 8288 1080 There are now just a few more weeks to book your place at the 2023 mental health & dementia facilities forum, to be held in the Cotswolds from 9-10 November. PREVIEW
OUTDOOR SPACES mhdf magazine 15 Outdoor Spaces The garden is fully accessible and designed to be used all year round mhdf EXPLORES THE DESIGN OF A NEW MENTAL HEALTH GARDEN AT ULSTER HOSPITAL AND THE IMPACT IT IS HAVING ON STAFF AND PATIENTS A therapeutic escape A disused patch of land beside the acute mental health inpatient unit at Ulster Hospital in Northern Ireland has been transformed into an enchanting garden. The garden will not only provide patients with space in which to relax, but will also enhance the therapeutic experience through the introduction of a range of bespoke design features. Developed by McIlwaine Landscape Architects (MLA) for South Eastern Health and Social Care Trust, patients were instrumental in designing the facility, which has a mix of low-level plants, delivering seasonal colour and interest. And these beds are interspersed with paved areas meandering through sunny and shady zones. The vision for a garden to enhance patient experience and wellbeing was conceived a number of years ago and has become a reality thanks to funding from the Department of Health. AT ONE WITH NATURE Working with lead designer, Whittaker and Watt Architects, and the wider design team, Beattie Flanigan, Hanna and Hutchinson, and Macauley Heaney Partnership, MLA’s brief was to offer a calming, therapeutic escape from the existing building for staff during breaks, and for supervised visits by patients throughout the day. The garden itself is enclosed by a tall fence with full-height decorative ‘cloaking’ affixed to the inside face, providing security, safety, and increased privacy for patients and staff, and depicting a naturalistic woodland scene which blends seamlessly into the carefully-designed shrubberies. The garden is fully accessible, with gentle gradients providing paced walking routes along attractively-textured, and locally- sourced, aggregate concrete paths. So, rather than walking along the hard edge of the boundary fence, users are instead led along a series of steppingstone paths, which weave through areas of sensory planting. ‘Monolithic’ furniture was also specified, constructed from materials such as smooth-cast concrete, and sustainably- sourced hard-wood timber benches provide a variety of seating choices or opportunities for group activities. LET THERE BE LIGHT A modern ‘pod’ with a climate-control louvred roof and fully enclosed in glass was specified as a central feature,
OUTDOOR SPACES 16 mhdf magazine providing a sheltered space that can be utilised throughout the year for one-to-one therapy or communal gatherings. The pod is equipped with sound and heating systems and is surrounded on three sides with planting beds, providing seasonal planting displays. For the project, MLA collaborated with Chroma Lighting, which has been working in partnership with Ulster University to research the human response to light. With support from Dr Pamela Topping, whose research focuses on the effect of colour on cognitive impairment, Chroma developed a co-ordinated lighting design with in-ground colour-changing luminaires providing a relaxing sequence and wayfinding to lead users around the garden. Bluetooth lighting controls are activated by presence detectors so the lighting responds to the visitor’s movements. In addition, the space can be viewed during the night from the upper-floor wards. YEAR-ROUND APPEAL The garden has been designed to be used all year round. In the summer months, users will experience soothing plant combinations such as Stipa tenuissima (Mexican Feather Grass), which develop soft plumes of tactile grass in early summer billowing on the breeze; Lavandula stoechas (French Lavender), with its aromatic grey/green foliage and abundant fragrant flowerheads; and Kniphofia rooperi (Rooper’s Red-Hot Poker), which will erupt like fireworks in early to mid-summer, with dense rounded spikes of tubular red and orange flowers. In the autumn, Cornus sanguinea ‘Midwinter Fire’ (Bloodtwig This garden has been designed to provide a peaceful, restorative space for all, to reduce stress, improve a sense of wellbeing, and deliver a therapeutic experience
OUTDOOR SPACES 18 mhdf magazine Dogwood) will display striking autumn foliage, and when the weather turns colder and the leaves drop, colourful, almost- illuminated stems will provide interest throughout the winter season. And, in spring, Galanthus nivalis (Snowdrop) will emerge and bloom in an impressive carpet of white flowers beneath the flame-coloured stems of the Dogwood. In more-shaded sections of the garden are a variety of perennials, including Heuchera micrantha ‘Palace Purple’ (Coral Bells), Heuchera ‘Marmalade’ (Coral Bells), Vinca minor (Periwinkle) and Brunnera ‘Jack Frost’ (Siberian Bugloss), punctuated with shrubs like Skimmia japonica ‘Fragrans’ (Japanese Skimmia) with its clusters of small, white, scented flowers. The steppingstone path is surrounded in a carpet of creeping Thymus serpyllum ‘Magic Carpet’ (Creeping Thyme), which, when stepped on, releases an aromatic scent as people stroll around the garden. HEALTH BENEFITS A spokesman for MLA said: “This garden has been designed to provide a peaceful, restorative space for all, to reduce stress, improve a sense of wellbeing, and deliver a therapeutic experience. “Plants have been carefully chosen to provide a sensory experience, while also attracting bees, butterflies, moths, and other pollinators. “With an awareness of the principles of a ‘circular economy’, where possible we have specified natural materials, derived from sustainable sources, which will last a long time and can be recycled and reused. “Research has proven that experiencing the tactile characteristics of natural materials such as wood, lowers stress and anxiety levels, providing a natural calming effect. “User interaction with the garden and its elements will clearly boost mental health and wellbeing, a vital part of the trust’s therapies.” The trust’s director of adult services, Margaret O’Kane, added: “Safe therapeutic areas are crucially important for the delivery of healthcare and are particularly vital in order to promote good mental health. “I am delighted we have been able to transform a derelict space into something wonderful which will have fantastic health benefits for our patients.” The project team Client: South Eastern Health and Social Care Trust (SEHSCT) Main Contractor: OB Construction Lead Consultant: Whittaker and Watt Architects Landscape Architect: McIlwaine Landscape Architects (MLA) Mechanical and Electrical Engineers: Beattie Flanigan Consulting Engineers Civil and Structural Engineers: Hanna and Hutchinson Consulting Engineers Ltd Quantity Surveyor: Macauley Heaney Partnership Ltd Photography: McIlwaine Landscape Architects/SEHSCT/Chroma Lighting Plants have been carefully chosen to provide a sensory experience, while also attracting bees, butterflies, m oths, and other pollinators The pod is equipped with sound and heating systems and is surrounded on three sides with planting beds, providing seasonal planting displays.
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