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Within the realm of healthcare, the place compassion intersects with cutting-edge medical science, lies a vital ingredient of therapeutic: the setting itself. The Hennick Bridgepoint Hospital stands as a testomony to the transformative energy of structure in nurturing wellness. Described as a “Village of Care,” this facility transcends being merely a construction of concrete and metal; it’s a sanctuary meticulously crafted with the singular intention of nurturing therapeutic and well-being, catering to people grappling with advanced power ailments and disabilities.
A number of years in the past, I had the chance to go to the constructing and chat with a few nurses. Considered one of them guided me via the constructing to the rooftop backyard and shared an intriguing commentary: sufferers who frequented the outside backyard tended to expertise quicker therapeutic. I discovered this perception fairly fascinating.
The hospital’s design absolutely embraces the therapeutic potential of nature and the encompassing panorama, with intentional efforts aimed toward immersing sufferers of their environment. The hospital is intricately linked to outstanding options of a few of Toronto’s best neighborhoods, together with the Don River Valley, Riverdale Park, the downtown skyline, and Riverdale itself.
The location the place the constructing stands holds its personal narrative ready to be advised, embodying a story of transformative rehabilitation that mirrors the very mission of the hospital. Proper subsequent to the hospital, and central to the mission’s significance is the historic 148-year-old Don Jail, occupying a outstanding place on the positioning. Remarkably, the theme of wellness has been woven into the material of this website since its inception. From its inception as a reform jail in 1864, the liberal view of bodily and psychological wellness embedded within the constructing’s design led it to be nicknamed “Palace for Prisoners.”
Whereas a jail isn’t a flawless illustration of wellness, and this theme might not have endured all through its total operational historical past, it’s evident {that a} lasting theme has continued over time. Quick ahead to the current day, the Don Jail has undergone a exceptional transformation, now serving as the executive and academic hub of the hospital — a key facility central to fostering interdisciplinary collaboration to deal with sufferers’ bodily and emotional wants.
The design and format of the hospital was pushed by the aspiration to ascertain a novel group hub — a hospital that not solely prioritizes healthcare and wellness but additionally fosters a deep sense of connection to the group. This imaginative and prescient aimed to create an city middle that served as a beacon for well being and well-being. It was meant to evoke a powerful sense of belonging for each the sufferers and the encompassing neighborhood. Whereas hospitals usually carry weighty connotations, Hennick Bridgepoint was purposefully designed to embody an open, ethereal and, above all, welcoming group village for its sufferers.
Upon getting into, the area greets guests with an abundance of pure mild streaming via expansive home windows and glass panels, making a vivid and alluring environment — emotions usually related to well being and vitality. The sunshine and vivid environment undoubtedly establishes a powerful connection to the outside. Coupled with the incorporation of heat hues and pure supplies, the area evokes emotions of consolation and tranquility.
As I toured the constructing, I realized extra finer particulars that underscored the thoroughness of the constructing’s design and a focus to element. I found that guaranteeing indoor air high quality was a high precedence all through the design course of, with the architects making intensive efforts to maximise it. This included implementing measures equivalent to controlling scents inside the constructing, using low-to-no VOCs in adhesives, sealants, paints, and coatings, and imposing a strict no-smoking coverage within the neighborhood of the constructing.
Moreover, the hospital’s format has been fine-tuned to encourage bodily exercise and mobility. Large hallways and spacious areas encourage sufferers to navigate freely, thereby supporting their rehabilitation journey. The incorporation of accessible design options ensures that people of various talents can effortlessly navigate the constructing, selling a sense of independence and empowerment. Furthermore, each element of the architectural design, starting from the location of facilities to the choice of supplies, has been deliberately chosen to reinforce the affected person’s expertise.
However maybe probably the most profound influence of the Hennick Bridgepoint Hospital, lies in its potential to instill hope in its sufferers. The very sight of the constructing serves as a beacon of optimism, a logo of chance within the face of adversity. By creating an area that’s conducive to therapeutic, the architects behind Hennick Bridgepoint Hospital have given sufferers greater than only a place to obtain medical remedy, however a sanctuary that actually helps their journey in direction of wellness.
At its core, this constructing is a refuge of therapeutic, exemplifying a dedication to patient-centered care that has been designed to deal with the holistic wants of its residents — each bodily and emotional. Its setting is designed to encourage sufferers to go away their rooms, instilling motivation to confront their sicknesses immediately. The constructing has been thoughtfully crafted to facilitate sufferers’ entry to nature, providing design parts like outside terraces, rooftop gardens and adjacency to a sprawling public park, all aimed toward reconnecting them with the pure world.
Every particular person room design consists of 40% glazing, that includes a particular vertical window that subtly tasks from the constructing’s exterior, spanning ground to ceiling in each remedy space. From the corridors to the corners, this intentional architectural determination strengthens the connection to nature, granting sufferers an unobstructed view of the outside, even from their beds, giving them direct entry to the surface world. A affected person can step up and into the window and really feel as if they’re nearly outside. Affected person rooms are generously spaced to offer privateness, whereas communal areas are strategically positioned to advertise social interplay and assist amongst sufferers.
The constructing’s design demonstrates a profound comprehension of the hurdles people encounter on their journey towards therapeutic, encompassing every thing from navigating intricate medical procedures to dealing with power sickness. That is the place the therapeutic backyard and rooftop terrace actually reveal their energy. As highlighted on this article, plentiful analysis has showcased the therapeutic advantages of publicity to nature, starting from stress and anxiousness discount to expediting therapeutic processes. Certainly, every ingredient spotlighted in that article represents design options which have been built-in into the hospital’s format in their very own distinctive method, striving to harness the therapeutic potential that structure holds for its occupants.
For my part, the rooftop terrace at Hennick Bridgepoint Hospital stands because the apex of the constructing, harmonizing lots of the facets of therapeutic and wellness into one area — a meticulously landscaped inexperienced roof overlaying 50% of the rooftop’s floor space. With lush gardens and pathways, sufferers have every day entry to the outside, fostering a semblance of normalcy of their lives. The direct entry to nature creates a extremely therapeutic setting for each sufferers and employees alike, enabling them to have interaction not solely in bodily exercise however in every day social interplay.
Whereas many gardens depend on chemical substances and fertilizers, the constructing employs native and extremely resilient vegetation that require minimal upkeep, thus eliminating the need for added chemical substances. Having the chance to spend time outside in a nurturing backyard setting, akin to 1’s personal yard, can provide sufferers a comforting sense of familiarity and routine throughout their hospitalization. In reality, in 2013, Bridgepoint succeeded in lowering the typical keep for rehabilitation sufferers by 20%, with a exceptional 100% of sufferers expressing their willingness to suggest the hospital to their family and friends.
This hospital is a shining instance of the transformative energy of structure in healthcare. Via considerate design and cautious consideration of the wants of its inhabitants, it has redefined the idea of what a hospital and therapeutic area will be. From fostering a way of calmness and serenity to selling bodily exercise and social interplay, each side of the constructing has been optimized to nurture wellness. As we proceed to discover the connection between structure and well being, the Hennick Bridgepoint Hospital serves as a beacon of inspiration, reminding us of the profound influence that the constructed setting can have on the lives of those that inhabit it.
The judging course of for Architizer’s twelfth Annual A+Awards is now away. Subscribe to our Awards Publication to obtain updates about Public Voting, and keep tuned for winners bulletins later this spring.