No items found.
Designed and installed during the COVID lockdowns, staff are full of praise for the friendly and engaging atmosphere the artwork and colour have created for the children and families who use the services.
Located in the heart of Eastleigh, this Children’s Therapy Unit is part of a shared clinical hub, housed under a cinema, making healthcare more accessible and, potentially more fun, by situating it in the Swan Centre, a local shopping centre.
With four counselling rooms and a group therapy area, the centre supports physiotherapy, occupational therapy, and speech and language therapy services for children.
No items found.
No items found.
No items found.
The unit is deep plan and has no external windows apart from the waiting area, so art played a key role in transforming the space into a child-friendly sanctuary.
Using collaged torn-paper animal scenes scanned and printed onto floor-to-ceiling panels, the designs create windows into imaginative worlds for children to explore.
Each therapy room door features complementary door totems reflecting the designs inside, subtly encouraging children to enter and engage with the space.
No items found.
No items found.
We worked closely with therapists to ensure the artwork enhanced the therapeutic environment. In each therapy room, the artwork was carefully positioned on one wall, offering the option for children to face away if needed, minimizing distractions during sessions.
In addition to the artwork, we developed the colour palette for the doors and paint finishes throughout the unit.
Drawing from Solent NHS Trust’s brand colours, we integrated these hues into the artwork and interior spaces, creating a cohesive and welcoming environment that aligns with the Trust’s identity.
No items found.
No items found.
Five years on, staff tell us that children love the artworks and often explore the clinic to seek out the different animals. Perhaps the town centre location, underneath the cinema, helps children feel relaxed—children often dance in the waiting room! Parents say that the clinic provides a highly accessible service in a modern environment for their children.
Staff also report that it is a good working environment, despite the lack of natural light in the clinic rooms.
No items found.
No items found.
No items found.
The work was developed in collaboration with Hunter’s architects.
Project Information
Date
2020
Sector
Healthcare
Service
Children's: Therapy Services
Client
Solent NHS Trust
Architect
Hunters
Artists
AiS in house
Team
Martin Jones, Celia Knox
Awards
No items found.
