{"id":45069,"date":"2023-06-28T10:19:12","date_gmt":"2023-06-28T07:19:12","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.sweco.fi\/?post_type=showroom_cpt&p=45069"},"modified":"2023-07-11T15:44:33","modified_gmt":"2023-07-11T12:44:33","slug":"inclusion-project-gave-patients-voice-when-assessing-architectural-competition-entries-for-old-vaasa-hospital","status":"publish","type":"showroom_cpt","link":"https:\/\/www.sweco.fi\/en\/projects\/inclusion-project-gave-patients-voice-when-assessing-architectural-competition-entries-for-old-vaasa-hospital\/","title":{"rendered":"Inclusion project gave patients voice when assessing architectural competition entries for Old Vaasa Hospital"},"content":{"rendered":"
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Inclusion project gave patients voice when assessing architectural competition entries for Old Vaasa Hospital<\/h1>\n

A new building is being planned for the historical area of the Old Vaasa Hospital, creating a safe and comfortable environment for patients and staff alike. Users were able to assess the architectural competition entries at workshops organised by Sweco.<\/p>\n

The Old Vaasa Hospital is a state mental hospital that provides specialised care, expert services and mental state examinations. The other state mental hospital is located in Niuvanniemi, Kuopio. Both treat forensic psychiatry patients and difficult-to-treat psychiatric patients.<\/p>\n

\u2018We want to create an environment that supports rehabilitation and recovery, and is comfortable, functional and safe for both patients and staff,\u2019 says Senior Physician Pirjo Takala<\/strong> from the hospital.<\/p>\n

In summer 2022, Senate Properties, the Old Vaasa Hospital and the Finnish Architects Association organised an invitation-based architechtural comepetition<\/a> (in Finnish) for the design of a new building. According to Client Manager Jari Auer<\/strong> from Senate Properties, the new building must fit into a historical and partially protected hospital area, the oldest buildings of which date back to the 1800s. \u2018In addition, the new building must comply with several functional requirements for psychiatric care.\u2019<\/p>\n

The greatest challenge in the functional planning was the fact that only a few reference sites exist. In addition, treatment periods are long, on average 6\u20138 years. \u2018The hospital is the only home for many patients for a long time, which is why we wanted to include patients and staff in the evaluation of the competition entries,\u2019 Sweco’s Project Management and Developer Group Manager Kaisa Narvio<\/strong> says. The staff were also extensively consulted. \u2018Different professional groups from both the wards and auxiliary services took part in the planning.\u2019<\/p>\n

Competition proposals were assessed objectively at workshops<\/h2>\n

Five competition proposals were assessed objectively at four workshops, one of which was intended for the patients. The same aspects, such as access connections and facility solutions, were discussed for each proposal. All workshops functioned based on the same clear framework, timetables and themes. \u2018I ensured a fair handling of the proposals by being careful to lead all the workshops the same way,\u201d Narvio says.<\/p>\n

The staff had selected the patients for the workshops meticulously in order to ensure the most extensive experience possible of different treatment stages and facilities of psychiatric care, and the patients’ personal willingness to participate. Familiar staff was also present at the workshop to support the patients.<\/p>\n

To protect the participants’ privacy, the patients were allowed to use nicknames or skip the introductions. Not knowing anything about the workshops’ participants in advance was a new experience for Narvio. However, she was particularly happy to see now compassionate and caring the patients were towards each other. They also knew the area intended for the new building well, from the sunniest spots to the windiest ones. \u2018This information is very important when designing outdoor areas.\u2019<\/p>\n

According to Client Manager Jari Auer<\/strong> from Senate Properties, Narvio’s work at the workshops was a pleasure to witness. \u2018She moved things along efficiently without the users feeling that words were being put in their mouths. She also kept us, the client, informed, but never bothered us with trivial things.\u2019<\/p>\n

Pirjo Takala has only received positive feedback from the workshops. \u2018We saw workshops as a very meaningful way of working. Narvio is clearly familiar with the field of psychiatric care.\u2019<\/p>\n

Winning proposal reflects user preferences<\/h2>\n

The winning proposal, Huomassa<\/em>, reflects the user preferences, and it will be further developed based on user feedback, for example. In their wishes, the patients and staff emphasised the same things, such as outdoor recreation opportunities and safe facilities. \u2018Not only did they listen to us, they actually heard us,\u2019 Takala says with satisfaction.<\/p>\n

The new building will promote its users’ wellbeing and sense of safety in everyday life in many ways. All wards will have flexible ground-level access to their own yard areas. Each patient will also have their own room and access to a multi-function hall for physical activities, either privately or in a group. Furthermore, the wards will have a sensory room for calming down. The new building will also house the hospital kitchen and staff cafeteria.<\/p>\n

Next, the work of Sweco’s experts at the Old Vaasa Hospital will continue with the planning of what the other buildings will be used for. \u2018We will create a roadmap far into the future,\u2019 Narvio says.<\/p>\n

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Picture: Lukkaroinen Arkkitehdit<\/p>\n

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Read more!<\/h3> <\/div>\n \n
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Health care projects<\/a><\/h4>