Success at European Healthcare Design 2025

Designing for recovery

Highgate East, one of two new mental health facilities for North London NHS Foundation Trust, is a leading example of how a dynamic and contemporary setting for mental health care can aid recovery.

On the first day of EHD, Mark Carter, principal at Ryder, and John Naylor, senior researcher, joined the post occupancy evaluation session to discuss designing for recovery. The panel explored the impact of human centred design on mental health outcomes, using Highgate East as a case study.

The pair also shared insights from Ryder, North London NHS Foundation Trust, and BAM’s recent thought piece, deinstitutionalising mental health – sharing takeaways from the design process and lessons learnt in creating Highgate East inpatient facility and Lowther Road outpatient facility for the benefit of future projects.

Healthy communities  

Paul Bell, principal at Ryder, chaired the ‘Healthy communities and the urban hospital’ session showcasing the latest in healthcare design for urban communities and the projects and people leading the way.  

Paul commented on the four excellent presentations from the day which covered major international projects in a range of urban contexts. Paul said: “Key lessons to take away include the importance to consider both place and programmatic brief at the outset. Connecting people and place is vital for the long term viability of community wellness strategies – this needs a commitment to collaboration to be at the heart of any successful project or programme if those projects are going to establish a sense of shared stewardship and ownership. As we heard from both Australia and Birmingham – it needs to be more than a hospital.”   

Health at the heart of urban regeneration 

On day two, Philip Miller, associate at Ryder, presented Sunderland Eye Hospital, the new specialist health facility relocating the national recognised Sunderland Eye Infirmary, and its contribution to urban regeneration. 

The new hospital is brought to a city centre site as part of the Riverside Sunderland regeneration development. With a focus on creating an anchor institution in the heart of the city, the design creates modern clinical facilities tailored for the visually impaired, incorporating thoughtful building layout, wayfinding and connections with Riverside Sunderland and the high street through seamless links with a sensory landscape that also extends to the nearby Riverside park. 

Study tours

On day three, we welcomed EHD attendees on a study tour of Highgate East and Lowther Road. Along the way, Brent McDonald, architectural director, shared best practice from the clinical brief, engagement, the design response and the construction to deliver successful outcomes.  

A leading aim for both projects design was to blur the boundaries between mental health services and the community. The design seeks to address the stigma that often exists around mental illness, which can cause feelings of exclusion from society, through the buildings’ urban context. Mark showcased our approach to creating facilities as a ‘good neighbour’ which are accessible to all to engender feelings of belonging and help service users feel part of the local community.   

With input from clinical staff and service users throughout the design process, the inclusive design welcomes the public into the buildings through cafés and community spaces on the ground levels to improve visitor access whilst maintaining respect and privacy of service users. This is mirrored outside of the buildings, where active frontages, pocket gardens, and a non institutional aesthetic create a welcoming environment that is akin to a private residential block or office building.  

Thank you to everyone who joined us, we look forward to next year’s congress.  

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