The Willows, Intensive Support Unit Ballymena, Ballee Building, Irish Healthcare

The Willows : Ballee Building

Ballymena Healthcare Development in Northern Ireland – by Keppie Design

5 Nov 2013

Architects: Keppie Design

The Willows, an Intensive Support Unit for vulnerable children, in Ballee, Ballymena

KEPPIE COMPLETES THE WILLOWS

The Willows, Ballee, Ballymena

Ballymena Centre Provides Accommodation for Vulnerable Children

5 November 2013 – Leading architectural practice Keppie Design has completed and handed over The Willows, an Intensive Support Unit for vulnerable children, in Ballee, Ballymena, on behalf of the Northern Health and Social Care Trust.

Keppie was commissioned to design the £1.2m centre, extending to 6,300 sqft, to provide residential care for up to six children who have been identified as having complex and challenging needs.

image from architects

Martin Wylie, associate architect at Keppie Design in Belfast, said: “The main requirement was to provide the children with not only a safe and secure environment but also a comfortable one. We designed a modern domestic style facility with natural light introduced through full height glazing and extensive roof lights where possible.”

The unit comprises a bright atrium with communal living areas and a spacious kitchen and dining room, all with large full height windows overlooking the rear secure garden areas, six single en-suite bedrooms, which have been designed to be robust with built in bedroom furniture and anti-barricade doors, an independent self-contained flat with kitchenette to encourage the children to take part in every day household tasks and a computer resource area. Externally, the shape of the building and the site contours offer a variety of external landscaped areas with recreation facilities including a games area. The external landscaping varies from soft grass and wildflower areas to tarmac and paved entrance areas.

image from architects

The building also provides a variety of shared spaces for individuals and groups and rooms available for contact with family members and carers.

Martin added: “The Willows ensures that high quality services and care for children will be delivered in a modern, safe and appropriate environment for the children and young people who need it.”

Keppie also designed sexual assault referral centre, The Rowan, at Antrim Area Hospital in Antrim, Northern Ireland on behalf of Northern Social Care Trust which opened in September.

The Willows in Ballee – Background Information

About Keppie Design

Keppie is a truly multi-disciplinary practice, offering services in architecture, town planning, interior design, landscape architecture and urban design and has extensive experience in the healthcare, education, commercial and retail sectors. Clients include many of Britain’s most prestigious public and private sector organisations.

Keppie has offices in the following locations:
• Belfast
• Glasgow
• Edinburgh
• Manchester
• Inverness
• Perth

Northern Health and Social Care Trust The Northern Health and Social Care Trust is one of five health trusts in Northern Ireland. It provides a broad range of health and social care services.

The Willows in Ballee, Ballymena Healthcare Centre, Northern Ireland images / information from Keppie Design

Keppie Design

Location: Ballee, Ballymena, Northern Ireland

Northern Irish Healthcare Buildings

Ballymena Healthcare Building

Another Ballymena healthcare building by Keppie Design on e-architect:

Ballymena Health & Care Centre
Design: Gareth Hoskins Architects / Keppie Design
Ballymena Health & Care Centre

Contemporary Northern Irish Healthcare Buildings Selection

The Rowan Centre, Antrim
Keppie Design
The Rowan Centre Antrim

Omagh Hospital & Primary Care Complex, County Tyrone
Design: TODD Architects with Hall Black Douglas

photograph © Chris Hill Photography
Omagh Hospital & Primary Care Complex