Designing for dignity and safety

The Kingfisher is a specialist mental health in-patient accommodation in Bristol, which will be run by Avon and Wiltshire Mental Health Partnership NHS Trust when it completes next year. This scheme represents a vital step forward in reshaping how we provide care for autistic people and those with learning disabilities.

A project rooted in collaboration and lived experience

What makes The Kingfisher exceptional is the depth of collaboration behind its design. Over the past two years, we have been privileged to work closely with service users, families, clinicians, architects, and specialist suppliers. Their lived experiences and expert insights have shaped every aspect of this facility, from spatial layouts to lighting choices.

At the recent ‘topping out’ ceremony for the project, Ben Stunell, an autism peer mentor, shared how rewarding it was to have his and others’ perspectives genuinely heard - a sentiment that highlights the core of our approach. Ensuring that voices often unheard in traditional healthcare settings are amplified is fundamental to creating spaces that truly support wellbeing.

Balancing safety with serenity

Designing for mental health presents unique challenges. On one hand, safety is paramount. On the other, the environment must promote calm, dignity, wellbeing and a sense of ‘home.’ Striking this balance demands more than technical know-how; it requires empathy and creative problem-solving.

On this project it has meant incorporating private gardens for each bedroom, a sensory-enriched Snoezelen room, and quiet spaces alongside communal areas designed to encourage social interaction but also offer refuge. Natural light is carefully modulated to meet sensory sensitivities, with options for blackout blinds and opaque glazing - because what calms one individual may overwhelm another. There are also communal courtyards, carefully positioned to provide a connection to the outside from all living spaces. They bring natural light further into the plan, but with adequate shading options.

Innovative engagement methods

Our design team, including Ryder Architecture and specialist consultants, employed innovative workshops such as ‘Post-it’ feedback sessions and ‘Day in the Life’ scenario exercises to engage stakeholders effectively. These inclusive methods allowed participants to express preferences and concerns freely, directly influencing design decisions.

This type of engagement is critical to overcoming the often-conflicting demands of mental health architecture. It ensures the environment supports positive outcomes, reduces inpatient stays, and strengthens community connections.

A regional and national imperative

The Kingfisher facility is part of a broader £40.5 million capital investment across South West England to improve mental health care for autistic people and those with learning disabilities. With nearly 70% of patients currently placed out of region, bringing care closer to home respects patients’ rights and enhances their recovery journey.

Our role and commitment

We are proud to be leading the delivery of this essential project through the ProCure23 framework. From initial stages through to construction, our focus has been on maintaining the integrity of the design vision while ensuring buildability, cost-effectiveness, and the highest safety standards.

We recognise that the demand for specialised, purpose-built mental health facilities is rising nationally. The lessons we’ve learned at The Kingfisher - particularly around genuine stakeholder collaboration - will shape our future projects and contribute to advancing mental health design standards across the UK.

Looking forward

As The Kingfisher continues to take shape, with completion set for early 2026, it stands as a beacon of what can be achieved when design, care, and lived experience come together. I look forward to continuing this important conversation about creating environments where every individual feels understood, safe, and supported.

Let’s keep the conversation going

The Kingfisher shows what’s possible when inclusive design is combined with early and sustained collaboration — all made possible through the ProCure23 framework. If you're exploring how to create specialist mental health environments or want to understand how frameworks like P23 can support complex, user-led projects, we’d love to hear from you. Let’s share insights, challenges, and next steps in shaping spaces that truly support recovery and dignity.

Contact Anna here.