In September 2003 JDDK were chosen by national competitive selection to be one of four architects and designers to work with CABE (Commission for Architecture and the Built Environment) in collaboration with the Royal College of Nursing on their healthy hospitals campaign.

The objective of this national campaign was to generate a high level of public and professional interest in the quality of environment experienced by hospital patients, relatives and staff. This was in the face of the major national capital investment programme in healthcare premises, the reform of the NHS and the emerging research evidence that well designed environments have a measurable beneficial impact on patient wellbeing, recovery and staff retention.

Our task was to generate designs for four key spaces:  the main entrance, outpatient waiting area, a corridor and a four patient bedroom. The designs should reduce patient stress, promote patient wellbeing and improve the working environment. JDDK’s designs were based on the principles of ‘placemaking’, connectedness to the world outside, personal controllability and the generation of an implicit sense of trust in the hospital environment by virtue of its design.

The campaign involved the national newspapers, Channel 4 News, radio and specialist medical and nursing press. A purpose built website displayed the designs and provided the means for a ‘people’s vote’ as to the most preferred. JDDK achieved something of a landslide victory by securing 52% of the public vote.