SUPREME AWARD

Ryder Architecture

The Prince & Princess of Wales Hospice

The aim of The Prince & Princess of Wales Hospice (PPWH) is to deliver more focused twenty first century hospice care to the people of Glasgow by taking a major step forward in the provision of a specific type of palliative care service. PPWH is a special place which feels comfortably like home – humble, dignified, unobtrusive, and private when required – and is exemplary in leading the way in palliative care, transforming the traditional concept of a hospice.

The new building must balance the stark realities of the patients’ conditions with the amelioration of its impact by emphasising the patients’ social, spiritual and emotional needs. Ensuring this balance was at the forefront throughout the design process. This has resulted in a legible, accessible, intelligible and flexible building within a typology that must offer support in the paradox of both hope and bereavement. The impact of this profoundly affects all users – patients, visitors and staff.

In response to the changing requirements of modern healthcare, PPWH is the first UK hospice to follow the Sengetun model. This innovative Scandinavian layout challenges the shortcomings of conventional ward planning and puts patients and families first – providing private, dignified and compassionate care. The model is based on research that correlates a healthcare facility’s design with patient wellbeing, offering patients the quality of life they deserve in a place that should feel like home, whilst the clinical / medical assistance is carried out discreetly in the background. The domestic scale of the spaces makes it easier for patients to identify and orientate themselves comfortably within smaller groups. Staff response times are also shortened, in turn, improving patient safety and support.

The design principles centre around patient care, linking internal and external environments – both fundamental elements to achieving positive wellbeing – through architecture, landscape and art. The environment is especially supportive to patients with confusion, sensory impairments or dementia. The open communal areas create a specific sense of place, influencing the character and quality of all visitor experiences. Staff walking distances and travel times are reduced, allowing more time for direct patient care and collaboration with the resultant improved staff satisfaction.

A simple palette of materials supports the building’s conceptual approach, harmonising the often conflicting demands of quietness and durability. An external layer of natural Penrhyn heather blue slate reinforces the protective nature of the building envelope. Internal timber linings create warmth and, alongside the natural light, create a positive yet calming environment. These protective elements differ in density and permeability depending on the interior functions, sunlight and the site conditions.

Advanced care delivery embraces new technology, changing its nature. The nurses’ station uses wireless technologies, freeing staff from static observation stations and improving visual links and patient proximity. Research projects are currently underway to gather evidence on the impact of both new technologies and the Sengetun model on the future design of health facilities.