About

We were commissioned as the Mechanical, Electrical and Public Health (MEPH) engineering design consultants for a new child and adolescent mental health care centre in the grounds of the old Severall’s Hospital in Colchester. The brief was to provide exemplar facilities for young people suffering with mental health issues and create an environment where they could feel safe and supported. The building was required to be fully compliant with HTM guidelines, fully anti-ligature in its design and achieve BREEAM excellent rating.

This new building provides twenty five bedrooms with ensuite facilities plus teaching and dining areas. The layout of the new CAMHS Unit aims to create the most therapeutic environment for patients. The design strategy provided for natural ventilation with openable windows and wind catchers wherever possible and incorporated renewable technologies including Ground Source Heat Pumps (GSHP), solar hot water and photovoltaics. The project achieved a BREEAM excellent rating and was delivered on time and within the agreed budget.