Steven Hunt & Associates completes service design for mental-health unit
Steven Hunt & Associates has completed the M&E concept design for a £9.2 million Tier 4 facility for the mental health of children and adolescents being built at the Countess of Chester Health Park on land owned by Cheshire & Wirral Partnership NHS Foundation Trust. Designed by Gilling Dod Architects, the scheme is being developed by Villicare LLP, a joint venture between the Cheshire & Wirral Partnership NHS Trust and Ryhurst.
The nature of the scheme required specialist expertise in mental-health specification. The complete anti-ligature design includes underfloor heating to prevent the use of radiators or pipework for self-harm. All services are sealed in ceiling and floor voids. Individual controls and isolation switches will be locked in secure services cupboards for each room, accessible only by staff. Anti-ligature fittings have been specified for all lighting.
Energy efficiency is address by an air-source heat pump to provide cooling for the underfloor heating system, a 10.1 kW solarPV installation and a CHP unit to help meet the high demand for domestic hot water.
Design development and implementation will be progressed by the project’s design-and-build contractor Eric Wright Construction, with Steven Hunt & Associates retained by the client to oversee the detailed design and ensure best-practice delivery.
