Vermont-Psychiatric Exterior Vermont-Psychiatric Exterior
Mental Health
Vermont Psychiatric Care Hospital
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Vermont Psychiatric Care Hospital

Vermont Department of Mental Health|Berlin, Vermont
The new 25-bed, $23 million Vermont Psychiatric Care Hospital draws on the findings of cutting-edge research regarding the ability of design to promote healing and reduce aggression in psychiatric facilities.
Project Type:
Mental Health
Interiors
Sustainability
Cost:
$23 million (construction)
Size:
46,500 SF
2015
Interior Design Project, Overall Winner, Design & Health International Academy Awards
2015
Mental Health Project, Finalist, Design & Health International Academy Awards
2015
WAN (World Architecture News) Healthcare Awards Shortlist
2014
Merit Award, American Institute of Architects, Eastern New York Chapter
 
Safe and Therapeutic
The state-of-the-art facility houses patients with diverse diagnoses in a secure environment and provides a safe and therapeutic setting with the aesthetics of traditional Vermont design. The facility offers private bedrooms and bathrooms in small, flexible nursing units. Increased privacy reduces stress, which in turn, promotes healing. All bedrooms, recovery spaces, and offices have operable windows.
 
Supportive Program Spaces
Living rooms, quiet rooms, comfort rooms, and generous on-unit dining areas are located immediately off the bedroom wings. A wide range of daytime activities are accommodated by a library, fitness room, greenhouse, an art room, and visiting rooms. A sensory room designed for individual patient-focused therapy offers respite from the community-oriented therapy, allowing patients to remain off-unit. A creatively designed chapel space is flexible enough to serve as a courtroom and a large family visiting room.
 
Interior Design Concept
The building is arranged to create two yards that provide space for outdoor activities and also function as town greens for the community of patients and staff. architecture+ developed an interior design concept using elements from the Vermont landscape as inspiration. The finish materials and color selections create a soothing and restorative environment. Colored linoleum laid in a pattern that mimics a creek edge flows down the inpatient unit corridors, meeting “docks” at each bedroom door and stopping at wood window benches along the way.
 
Seasonal Themes
Each of the inpatient units is themed by a season of the year with a coordinating color and icon that is repeated throughout the unit, reinforcing the sense of place. Patient furniture is comfortable, yet safe and durable, and coordinates seamlessly with the interior design and wayfinding systems.
"I have worked with architecture+ since late 2005 planning for replacement facilities for the Vermont State Hospital. This high priority project in support of the State’s delivery of Mental Health services to Vermonters has benefited substantially by the services and professionalism of the architecture+ team."
Michael J. Kuhn, Department of Buildings & General Services, Vermont