Proposals to extend this existing healthcare facility were developed to maximise the potential of the external environment to assist in providing the highest quality of care for patients. The designs were informed by research developed at the University of Stirling’s Dementia Services Development Centre. The two new courtyard spaces created to meet the specific needs of older adults with dementia, include a number of bespoke details and features specifically designed to create a calm and safe environment to help with orientation and minimise confusion.

The courtyard gardens are designed for a variety of uses. One includes a potting shed/workshop to offer DIY activities, and the other includes plant species and bird boxes etc to encourage wildlife into the internal spaces. All of the patient areas are designed to maximise opportunities for therapy and provide patients with typical day to day tasks which form an essential part of treatment and rehabilitation.