Medical buildings can too often feel impersonal and uninspiring. Signage is ubiquitous, overwhelming and (sometimes) conflicting.
It’s entirely understandable in complex environments, but not inevitable. And it’s particularly important to keep the visual clutter to a minimum in a mental health unit, where service users are especially in need of a calm and restorative environment.
Our brief at North Manchester was to create a positive welcome that helps boost wellbeing, side stepping the typical “medical institution” feel.
So, after consultation with the team at North View, we drew up a series of wall graphics that reinforced core messages central to the ethos of the facility:
Each core message was represented by thematic imagery from nature, and in a building like this where users are accompanied most of the time the navigation is designed to create a calm experience and intuitively flow through the spaces.
Our scheme intentionally limited the number of signs, instead weaving minimal wayfinding into wall graphics at key touch points like the welcome area and café area, and leading to the secure wards on two levels.
The solution also includes a timeline and opportunities for service users’ work to be showcased to encourage the sense of engagement and rehabilitation.
The new unit, designed by Gilling Dod, is a breath of fresh air. With entranceway gardens designed by specialist designer Iteriad, known for its focus on outdoor spaces for mental healing, mindfulness and wellbeing, there was plenty of design cues to take inspiration from.
