Gender Services Facility

As part of national plans to localise Psychological Health gender services for young people, UHBW are providing a new service beginning in November 2024. The existing space on Level 2 of St James Court has been identified as the temporary location for administration, staff welfare and patient therapy services. It is anticipated that the service will be located at St James Court for 18-24 months before moving to a more permanent facility.

The temporary facility for the Psychological Health service will provide office space for

administration and management, therapy rooms and staff rest area. The layout is also constrained somewhat by the arrangement of existing windows and existing internal glazing to the central atrium. 

It is proposed to locate the therapy rooms and remote consultation booth to the western edge of the site area to take advantage of natural light from the existing windows. The room sizes are dictated by the arrangement of existing window modules. 

Confidentiality is a very important consideration for the patient areas. The internal partitions between therapy rooms will need to be carefully designed and constructed to ensure sufficient acoustic separation between rooms. The junctions to the existing window mullions will also need to be carefully considered. Mach acoustics were engaged to advise on suitable acoustic detailing including the raised access floor and ceiling void.

“The design delivers a welcoming, safe space for engaging young people. We were particularly concerned with visual and audible privacy”

Craig Bennett, Director, Stretto Architects