In this article, I highlight several key aspects where thoughtful design can greatly enhance consumer care and support recovery.

Beginning with Co-Design and Local Insights

Engaging stakeholders early in the design process—especially individuals with lived experiences in mental health—allows the facility to reflect local and cultural needs. Early collaboration helps shape the project’s narrative and define design principles that guide decision-making throughout, even when budget constraints arise. Establishing clear principles ensures that the focus remains on creating a space that balances functionality with compassion.

 

The design process should consider the journey a consumer takes when entering the facility. Placing mental health services on the same floor and near the Emergency Department minimises stress for consumers by enabling shorter, direct pathways that provide a smoother, more-dignified transition from ED to mental health services.

 

The unit’s entrance should also be thoughtfully designed. A welcoming, light-filled entry with direct access to bedrooms allows consumers to avoid communal areas upon arrival, preserving their privacy. Welcoming a new consumer with a well-planned orientation helps them feel more at ease, encouraging independence and a sense of control over their experience.

Maximising Space and Light for Comfort and Healing 

Courtyards nestled near dining and lounge areas become vibrant social hubs, inviting connection and a sense of openness. Strategically-positioned staff bases enable gentle, unobtrusive supervision while allowing the natural rhythm of consumer spaces to flow uninterrupted.

Sunlight—a quiet but powerful healer—transforms spaces; an internal garden atrium, or “green heart,” can weave nature into the indoors, softening transitions between larger areas while amplifying natural light. Skylights at corridor ends or windowed lounges dissolve the rigidity of clinical layouts, infusing warmth and a feeling of expansiveness into every corner.

Inside the facility, the ambiance should be welcoming and practical. High-quality furniture and carefully-chosen artwork can make the space feel more like a home or hotel rather than a hospital. Multipurpose rooms offer flexibility, accommodating both social activities and quiet spaces for relaxation.

 

Designs should prioritise approachable, human-centered architecture, avoiding intimidating forms that feel overwhelming or uninviting. Instead, a domestic scale and softened lines create a calming, approachable environment. Consumers should have easy access to activities like music, games, and art, which encourage participation and skill-building, further supporting their rehabilitation journey.

 

Staff should be approachable and visible without being isolated behind secure barriers. Consumers who can easily reach staff during times of need are more likely to feel calm and secure. Open, observable social spaces facilitate safe interaction and help build trust between staff and consumers, contributing to a supportive therapeutic environment.

 

For staff, working in a mental health facility today involves more than just providing care.

Through thoughtfully constructed spaces and design principles that prioritise safety, comfort, and healing, a facility can move from a purely clinical setting to a place of dignity and support. The focus should be on creating a therapeutic environment that supports the well-being of both consumers and staff. 

 

A key component in mental health facility design is the well-being of staff. Staff are better able to maintain the resilience and empathy needed for effective care. When staff feel valued and supported, they naturally contribute to a more positive and healing environment for consumers. By designing spaces that prioritise staff comfort and well-being—such as dedicated retreat areas, convenient access to amenities, and secure, accessible workspaces—stress levels can be reduced. Clear distinctions between consumer care and administrative tasks help staff stay focused, while thoughtfully-designed retreat zones provide essential support for their overall well-being.