In a very strong shortlist, the centre stood out for the exemplary quality of its co-design process, which elevated the outcome to create a genuinely human and uplifting place. Designed by Corstorphine & Wright at the Seacroft Hospital in Leeds, the Centre provides clinical and treatment spaces in a therapeutic environment for people with Motor Neurone Disease (MND) and their families. It was the vision of former rugby league star and MND patient Rob Burrow, who campaigned to raise awareness of the condition, and is the first facility of its kind.

‘This project shows how a genuine user engagement can have a hugely positive impact, amplifying the design process without holding up the fast-track schedule,’ said judges, who praised the commitment of client and architect to the process.

The rear of the centre provides easy access to a landscaped garden

Source: Daniel Shearing

Through a series of 10 structured sessions with the client and design team, stakeholders, including patients and their families were able to influence the spatial design and the sensory qualities of the interiors. This included detailed discussion of individual areas, such as the consulting rooms, which were the sole focus of one of the co-design sessions.

The project aimed to create a supportive place that felt safe, calm and uplifting, in contrast to traditional clinical settings. The building is centred around a welcoming ‘heart space’, with kitchen area, informal seating and easy access to the garden. This can also function as an event space. There are no narrow corridors. Instead, circulation spaces are wide enough for people to stop and talk, and there is some built-in seating. Attention is given to the inclusion of private routes out as well as through the more public heart space.

The centre includes many different areas to wait, chat or relax

Source: Daniel Shearing

Besides clinical and communal spaces for patients, there is a children’s room and a quiet space for staff. 

Spaces accommodate wheelchair needs that might be larger than is provided for in conventional guidance. Material selection was influenced by the importance of touch, texture, play of light and colour – the hope is that the centre would feel like a ‘hug’ for MND patients and their families. One patient commented that experiencing the centre was the first time in his treatment that he had felt dignity.

The £6.8 million centre was funded by contributions by 17,500 people. It is aiming for a BREEAM Excellent sustainability performance rating.

Highly commended: AEW Architects for Stockroom

Judges were impressed with AEW’s transformation of underused retail units in a Stockport shopping centre into a welcoming cultural and civic hub. ‘It’s a new type of public building – an adaptive re-use providing a diversity of uses for all ages, from children and young people right through to the elderly,’ they said.

Located in the Merseyway Shopping Centre, the community-led project includes a library, heritage archive, studios, event space and café and was created by AEW after workshops with staff, educators, young people, artists, carers, residents and accessibility advocates. Their input directly informed spatial planning, accessibility provision, material choices and the overall character of the building to ensure the project met local needs.

As well as areas for cultural activities, Stockroom provides flexible spaces for community gatherings and performance, quiet study areas, a Changing Places facility, and a place to register births.

The architects hope it will function as Stockport’s ‘living room’, and also boost footfall to the shopping centre to help surrounding businesses. The sheer number of activities was remarkable. In its first three months, it attracted over 250,000 visitors and held 190 events, attended by nearly 4,000 participants.

Shortlist

FaulknerBrowns for Woolwich Waves 
Stride Treglown for The Circular Kitchen

 

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