University Centre for Psychiatry UMCG

Client: Universitair Medisch Centrum Groningen

Netherlands

At the UCP, daylight 'follows' the patients throughout the day, in keeping with their natural biorhythm. The patient rooms in the UCP all receive morning light, allowing people to wake up with the sun, while the living rooms receive light in the afternoons and evenings. There is also an abundance of natural light in the hallways and corridors.

The centrally located patio houses a spacious courtyard garden, which is visible throughout the entire building ánd accessible to everyone within the UCP. By intelligently combining daylight, pleasant views, abundant greenery, broad windowsills, natural materials and balanced colours, the design aims to give a positive impulse to patient’s lives, making for meaningful space. To emphasize the sense of normality, the new UCP doesn’t feel like a typical hospital – windows have curtains and rooms are warmly furnished, and there is even room for family members to stay the night. The new UCP feels less like a psychiatric institution and more like a 'home'.