Lane Fox REMEO Centre
Redhill East Sussex
“The artwork brings peace and calmness to the space,” says Physiotherapist Ruth Kent, “even though we have stressful situations from time to time - the artwork is very calming and helps relax us all.”
The award winning building was designed by architect Marc Levinson & team at Murthy Philips, the center was opened in late Oct 2014 by Baroness Martha Lane Fox.
The artwork was commissioned by Guy’s & St Thomas’ NHS Foundation Trust, REMEO Healthcare Ltd and BOC Ltd
Nature formed the background theme for the 4 murals depicting a narrative based on The REMEO ethos which is Latin for “Return Home”. Meaning that patients come to recover and will return home.
The artwork took five months to complete and a week to install, was on time and in budget.
The story Return Home starts in the foyer with birds sweeping in above the glass windows. Westminster is shown in the background, which is where patients receive their initial treatment at St Thomas’ Hospital. There is one red bird, less robust than the rest of the flock.
In the Social Area, the birds are in a garden setting. The two founders, Dr Geoffrey Spencer and Bjorn Ibsen, are taking tea. The red bird is resting at the birdbath while a stalking cat approaches.
I wanted a guardian figure to watch over the bird and found a solution when I visited the Lane Fox Unit at St Thomas’s to draw the Houses of Parliament. In the small courtyard garden, I noticed a bronze sculpture of a young boy cradling a rabbit. The Boy is modeled on Dr Geoffrey Spencer’s son and provides another link between the two buildings.
Moving on to the Central Ward, where two walls face each other, is a peaceful forest setting with 25 trees to celebrate the 25 years since the Lane Fox unit opened. This space is used for physio therapy treatment and many of the rooms look on to it.
As the red bird becomes stronger, his colour changes to blue. On the opposite wall he has caught up with the flock and joined them, and, as a result, they all change. The flock is complete, and, renewed they head off into the forest and home.
Awards
Building Better Healthcare Awards – Winner ‘Best Acute Hospital Development’
IHEEM Awards – Shortlist ‘Project of the Year’
International Academy for Design and Health – Highly commended ‘Best Health Project under 40,000sqm’
Architects for Health Awards – Winner ‘Best New Building’
Architects for Health Awards – Overall Winner
RICS Awards – shortlist ‘Design and Innovation’