Kevin Bates, Director with STW, discusses the positive impact the inclusion of art can have in healthcare settings, and in other building typologies

A recent conversation in our office about designing inclusive places for neurodiversity brought to mind Heidegger’s positive understanding of boundary.

The notion that boundaries are not physical limitations but the creation of a space for something to exist is well known to designers, who often need a set of conditions to work into. How boundaries are interacted with by those experiencing mental illness necessitates a multi-disciplinary approach to achieve positive outcomes for the comfort and wellbeing both of services users and patients, as well as staff and visitors.

Artist Claire McCluskey’s beautiful and thought-provoking wall hanging titled ‘Scaffold’, which was custom made for the reception lobby of our National Forensic Mental Health Service Hospital in Portrane, Dublin is a prime example of this in practice. 

Initiated by Percent for Art and the National College of Art & Design and procured by the HSE and Central Mental Hospital, the piece was inspired by the known wall around the original site of the Central Mental Hospital in Dundrum, before its relocation to Portrane.

‘Scaffold’ is composed of textiles printed with scanned paintings created by the artist using ink and salt sublimated and crystalised.

The artist describes the thinking behind the piece as follows: 

"As humans, we each have a boundary that helps us to define our sense of self, and mediate our connection with others. Like how the coastline meets the sea, this boundary is a negotiation that flows to and fro, between our interior self and external communities. Unfortunately, mental illness can directly impact this boundary and negatively affect our ability to safely interact with and navigate through the world around us. The role of the CMH is to provide a scaffold, a proxy boundary, to protect and support those who are most vulnerable, and in profound need of help in this way. (In this piece) the formal structure contrasts with the fluid imagery, referencing the balance between the supportive scaffold and the unique, vibrant expression of the individual."

Claire’s work is a reminder of the importance of art, particularly in healthcare settings, to see beyond the physical constraints of illness and to engage in a positive interaction with our surroundings that has been evidenced to reduce stress, anxiety and support emotional wellbeing.

In our Grafton Way Hospital at University College London Hospital, artist Alex Echo’s 89 bespoke pieces of art use abstracted, pixelated images of forests, lakes, skies, flowers and beaches to offer an alternative view of a world beyond the confines of the bedroom or street view. Find out more at https://www.uclh.nhs.uk/news/more-100-pieces-art-u...

It is heartening to see the continued inclusion of art in our buildings, something that has long been part of Scott Tallon Walker Architects’ DNA, across all building typologies. Even more rewarding is the shared belief our clients have in, and the emerging evidence of, the positive impact of art to enhance wellbeing and recovery.

Learn more about the National Forensic Mental Health Service at https://www.stwarchitects.com/our-work/healing/nat...

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