Edward Street Hospital

Working with Black Country Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust

Client

Black Country Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust

Location

West Bromwich, Birmingham

Value

£32,000,000

THE PROJECT

When GDA began engagement with stakeholders it became apparent how important and well thought of the existing hospital is. The existing cafe brought in and integrated not just relatives of those living with dementia but also the local community. Located just off the main high street, Edward Street Hospital plays an active role reducing stigma around mental health. The new building had to uphold and further develop this relationship by preserving the external Lighthouse and Hub Café with all its associated spiritual and community use spaces.

OUR APPROACH

This development has been co-produced with input from service users, carers, staff and the wider community, ensuring that the design aligns with the needs of all users. The new built form sits immediately adjacent to the high street conservation area boasting several listed buildings. In addition, the building had to be joined in two locations to the existing 1985 post-modern concrete frame building which was retained and refurbished as part of the work. The new building was required to be sympathetic to these two contrasting contextual elements.

WHAT WE DID

In a world that often pushes mental health facilities to the periphery of society, Edward Street Hospital has always bucked this trend. From its very inception, the Hospital, has continually provided a service for persons living with dementia in a way that is integrated with the community. The building is not ashamed of its purpose, however, it does not immediately feel like a mental health hospital. The main entrance into the new Edward Street Hospital is still via the café. The café spills out into a new courtyard shared with the new facility with new seating and landscaped spaces.

THE IMPACT

The site space has been maximised, and the new building utilises all available space, ensuring each resident has their own bedroom and ensuite, as well as a range of other social spaces. External space enhances the existing resident garden with sensory planting and two new courtyard spaces, with clear lines of sight from various bases. In addition to this there is a wonder loop around the outer garden space.