A Fife hospital has been recognised for its “architectural excellence” by the Royal Institute of British Architects (RIBA).
The Muirview Unit at Stratheden Hospital near Cupar was one of 10 Scottish winners and will now be considered for the £20,000 RIBA Stirling Prize which is awarded to the building of the year.
Muirview is a stand-alone, single-storey building. Completed in June last year, it provides facilities for those who require short-stay inpatient care.
In Scotland the awards are administered by the Royal Incorporation of Architects in Scotland. The judges base their decision on 10 aspects of the design and building process including issues such as budget, complexity of brief, sustainability and originality.
The judging panel commented on the “close co-operation” between client and nursing staff to produce a bright, contemporary environment designed to improve well-being and state of mind.
Judges also felt the unit designed by Richard Murphy Architects created a comfortable, calming accommodation within a light and welcoming environment.
NHS Fife projects director and design champion Dennis O’Keeffe said, “The design approach was firmly based on the a conceptual model of ‘user-centred design’, developed from ongoing research within NHS Fife.
“From the outset of the project a significant amount of effort was put into ensuring that staff, public patient representatives and the design team collaborated and participated closely together.”
George Cunningham, general manager of Kirkcaldy and Levenmouth community health partnership, said, “The Muirview Unit represents a significant step forward in the design and provision of facilities for people experiencing mental health problems.”
In November the Muirview Unit won the category of best mental health design” at the Building Better Healthcare Awards in London.