The Ark is the first new hospice building in London for 10 years and the first purpose-built facility for Noah’s Ark Children’s Hospice – who previously provided care for children with life-limiting or life-threatening conditions and their families in homes or hired halls. The brief sought an inspiring space for palliative care, relaxation and adventure within a ‘home-from-home’ environment, designed for the needs of children.
Set on the natural incline of its 7.5-acre nature reserve setting, The Ark is discreetly carved into the hillside, offering a holistic indoor-outdoor care journey not restricted to treatment rooms but which 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. Four brick-clad wings leading off the central hall provide space for therapies, children’s bedrooms, family rooms and administration. At lower ground, private functions include bereavement suites and a multi-faith room. 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.
The Ark was achieved through a unique collaboration between the design, property and construction sectors, with collaborators involved in all stages of the development – from concept and fundraising through to planning and delivery – making the project possible by working on a pro bono or non-profit basis.
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.