Healthy competitions: A GP Surgery and a Respite Home

In 2020 we were shortlisted to design a respite home for teenagers following cancer treatment. The charity already did so much to support young people but had this incredible idea to create a first-of-its-kind sanctuary where they could be active, rest, make friends and eat pizza.

Our design was a U-shaped building. This created a welcoming courtyard and broke the building into three segments to avoid any institutional feel of long and labyrinthine corridors. We proposed a barn typology for its countryside setting, with views towards the fields.

A homely living room at its heart, with areas for games, chatting and curling up by the fire. Though we were not chosen, we've never rooted for a project to go ahead more.

We were approached by a client whose GP surgery had doubled its patients and needed bigger premises. They wanted the practice to feel like a cross between ‘a spa and the Science Museum’ – especially so in the waiting room, which they realised had the potential to be a much more relaxing environment for staff and patients.

We explored three options for their premises that optimised the layout for consultation and treatment rooms, as well as a play corner, ‘genius bar’ area to learn about healthy choices and ask quick questions, a play corner, and a staircase that could be used as a forum for events.

The client's vision was an admirable one, and we enjoyed thinking about new approaches to what a surgery could offer.