Kimmeridge Court

See why Wienerberger’s Heritage Blend brick and Humber Tuscan roof tiles were chosen to help respect the woodland surroundings and existing context of Kimmeridge Court, a new £8million inpatient unit at St Ann’s Hospital in Poole, Dorset

Set within a protected woodland glade, Kimmeridge Court has been carefully crafted to preserve the quality of its natural setting. Designed by Medical Architecture and built by Kier for Dorset HealthCare University NHS Foundation Trust, the facility creates a uniquely private and therapeutic environment for the treatment of patients with eating disorders.

This inpatient unit, located within the grounds of the Grade II listed St Ann’s Hospital in Poole, provides specialist accommodation to meet a growing demand for the treatment of patients with eating disorders. It offers expanded and improved facilities including inpatient bedrooms, clinical and therapy spaces, and sensitively designed living spaces.

The size and positioning of the building has been carefully designed to have a low impact on the mature coastal trees that occupy the site and to respect the character of the surrounding area. As have the buildings’ exterior, using traditional materials such as brick and clay roof tiles but in a contemporary manner, providing a modern and attractive setting that protects the existing context.

Women sat on a bench outside Kimmeridge Court

Contemporary style inpatient unit developed for St Ann's Hospital in Poole

entrance view from the road of the newly constructed two storey building

Woman walking towards entrance of the Kimmeridge Court

Medical Architecture chose Wienerberger’s Heritage Blend brick and Humber Tuscan roof tiles to get the desired finish and complement the materials of surrounding buildings.

The ground floor of the building, which provides inpatient beds and high dependency beds, is clad with the Heritage Blend brick, providing a robust material that weathers well.

The first floor consists of staff and therapy rooms, as well as a large multi-functional activity space providing spectacular views out across the tree canopy. It is clad in Wienerberger’s Humber Tuscan clay roof tiles, which references neighbouring buildings and provides a visual separation to help break up the mass of the two stacked volumes.

Entrance to the modern Kimmeridge Court in Poole — © Richard Chivers

"Using traditional materials such as brick and clay roof tiles in a contemporary manner,

provides a modern and attractive setting that protects the existing context."

Bob Wills, Director at Medical Architecture, said: “Working closely with the Trust we have designed a place where patients can recover in an environment conducive to recovery-focused and high quality care.

“The design of the building has been instrumental in this, and Wienerberger’s products were the right choice throughout. By integrating the facility so closely with its natural setting, we have been able to fully harness the therapeutic quality of this site.”