Learning Disabilities Medium Secure Unit

Client: Calderstones NHS Trust

Location: Whalley, Lancashire

Value: £15Million

Status: Completed 2008

This new £15m Medium Secure unit was constructed in the grounds of Calderstones Hospital Whalley for the NHS Trust under the P21 initiative in collaboration with Laing O’Rouke.

The new Medium Secure Unit is an exciting scheme that marks a landmark investment by the Trust on the site which has historic roots in the post First World War treatment of shell shocked soldiers. The scheme has been met with universal praise from users, staff, local residents and town planners which is no normal achievement given the relative rural and historic nature of the locality.

The state-of-the-art design is linear to maximise views out and daylight in and looks to distort the perceived scale of the building to the patients via its curved form. This also acts as to create safe, airy, non-institutional interior spaces with few ‘blind corners’ and overspill areas out into the surrounding Landscape.

The scheme was delivered under the Procure21 initiative with Laing O’Rourke as PSCP

The Trust expects to use this project as a springboard for future development of the site and is considering entering the scheme for awards nationwide.