FOUNTAIN WAY MENTAL HEALTH SERVICES, SALISBURY

Architects – Hunters
Contractor – Dean & Dyball
Project Managers - Inventures
Client – Avon & Wiltshire Mental Health NHS Trust
Capital Build - £00m

Fountain Way truly highlights how mental health care has changed dramatically since the last century.

The receptiveness and enthusiasm of the design team (including the Trust’s forward thinking clinicians, administrators and clients) led to a shared, inclusive architectural vision with innovative design.

The project took in the re-provision of three existing mental health units:
Amblecroft (Elderly continuing care and assessment)
Grovely (Rehabilitation unit)
Ashdown and Beechlydene (Adult and intensive care).

Design team
The team responded to the brief by creating an architecture of well being to express care, security, empathy, trust and respect. Sensitivity towards materials was vital (especially the use of less tangible qualities such as light, calm and nature). The architect also referenced hotel design, with its emphasis on artwork and attractive public spaces.

Artists (commissioned by Impact Art) consulted with users to make sure every piece has a healing, beneficial value for those working in, staying or visiting the building. Over 15 artists were involved including:
Trannon: Ergonomic seating made to stimulate conversation but also enable private or group seating preferances.
Chris Funnell: Life size
Janine Creaye: Soundscape-linked tactile wooden panels, with earth and water themes.
Helen Brown: 40 framed works developed in user group participatory sessions.
Vanessa Dell: Etched glazing.

The completed forms help Fountain Way triumph as a reflection of the clinical advances, sympathetic treatments and therapeutic environments in modern, compassionate mental health care.