A unique collaboration between the design, property and construction sectors, with collaborators involved in every stages of the development, all working on a pro bono basis, has delivered the Ark. This is an inspirational new hospice facility that offers palliative care, relaxation and adventure within a “home-from-home” environment, purpose-built and designed for the needs of children.
Holistic indoor-outdoor journey
The Ark is the first new hospice building in London for ten years and is set on the natural incline of its 7,5-acre nature reserve setting. It has been discreetly carved into the hillside, offering a holistic indoor-outdoor care journey not restricted to treatment rooms. The journey begins upon arrival, expands through the building and continues to the therapeutic gardens, demonstrating the ultimate link between palliative care, wellbeing and nature.
A double-height oak framed entrance hall, glazed at each end, creates a light, striking open volume as an uplifting space for families to come together.
Special care was taken to ensure that wheelchairs and beds could access virtually all spaces, including external terraces and gardens, with inbuilt hoists creating a fully accessible environment.
This uniquely designed hospice facility has been named as a finalist in the WAN Awards for 2020.
Project statistics:
• Client/developer: Noah’s Ark Children’s Hospice
• Architect: Squire & Partners
• Landscape architect: Gensler
• Structural engineer: Ramboll
• M&E consultant/sustainability engineer: KUT
• Main contractor: 8Build Timber Frame
• Carpenter Oak
We extend our thanks and appreciation to the WAN Awards for the use of the information contained in this article.
For more international projects like these, subscribe to our free magazine on https://www.freemagazines.co.za/
Sign up for our newsletter: https://www.buildinganddecor.co.za/ or join other discussions on http://www.facebook.com/buildinganddecor, http://www.twitter.com/buildingdecor and https://www.linkedin.com/showcase/10172797/
