Phased refurbishment of Mental Health Clinic Barnet Lane Clinic

OA Architecture were appointed by Elysium Healthcare to undertake the refurbishment and reconfiguration of the existing male ward and coach house at Barnet Lane Clinic in Hertfordshire. The project provides a 10-bed locked ward for individuals with complex mental health needs, alongside four enhanced care apartments with associated shared accommodation, supporting specialist care, rehabilitation and recovery.

A key challenge was adapting a former care home to meet the requirements of specialist mental healthcare. OA undertook a comprehensive gap analysis addressing patient and staff safety, ligature risks, robustness, acoustics and fire safety. Working closely with Elysium Healthcare’s commercial projects and estates teams, we developed a revised layout and specification informed by newly established design standards for residential mental health accommodation.

The refurbishment balances clinical safety and operational requirements with the creation of a welcoming, therapeutic environment that promotes dignity, independence and recovery.