The primary challenge of the Nixon Forensic Center was resolving the seemingly contradictory goals of creating a safe, recovery-based environment for patients and staff while providing security levels for all users commensurate with the admission of forensic psychiatric patients who may do harm to others or themselves.
The design solution is driven by healing, recovery, and safety on the cutting edge of psychiatric care. The design maximizes light to circulation and treatment areas and provides access to outdoor space and views to nature. Interior spaces incorporate design elements that create a private hospital feel to ensure better patient outcomes.
To reduce the length of circulation and establish site fit, 12 residential units were paired into six star-like clusters to allow views from every room. The curvilinear circulation lines minimize walking distances to reduce staff stress and provide faster collegial connectivity in times of need. The intersection of a central spine and a cross corridor creates four light-giving courtyards - one for each program community.
Transparency and integrated landscaping are used to welcome the local community via a park-like perimeter setting and through maximized glazing in the lobby and administration building. Terra cotta and glass modulate the facade and the lobby features a deep, protective, canopy supported by columns in both ordered and disordered configurations to express the sensibility of the complex work within. The overall design character strives to project a feeling of wellness - a return to normalcy that also represents a patient’s recovery and future reunion with society.
All the information about how to enter the 2020 WAN Awards is here.
We are very happy to offer support so please don’t hesitate to email Georgia, WAN Awards Event Coordinator with any questions at Georgia.Baily@haymarket.com.
Last year more than 40 countries took part in the WAN Awards with strong showings from Europe, the Americas and Asia-Pacific. And we saw some truly outstanding projects, take a look at the winners from last year here.