This poster explores how Psychiatric Intensive Care Units can be designed using “green” technology in order to be environment-friendly whilst also meeting patient needs.

Analysis of the new PICU at Hellesdon Hospital, Norfolk and Waveney Mental Health NHS Foundation Trust, United Kingdom. We describe how the architecture has been adapted from the standard mental health unit model to facilitate more intensive supervision. We will also examine the building design features that have been incorporated to ensure the lowest possible carbon footprint.

Rollesby Ward (PICU) at Hellesdon Hospital won the Broadland design award 2009. It is a new, purpose built, building that provides a safe, user-friendly unit with en-suite accommodation; and rooms for seclusion, therapeutic activities and one to one sessions. The use of key cards and the layout of the bedrooms and lounge areas maintain patient privacy and dignity. A number of technologies have been used to minimise the building's carbon footprint. These include maximising usage of natural light and ventilation, underground rainwater tanks for flushing toilets, photovoltaic roof panels, and ground source heat pumps. Since the PICU has opened, 62.63 mwh of energy (35.57 tons of carbon) has been saved.

New build psychiatric units can successfully incorporate design features that deliver a better patient and therapeutic environment whilst also minimising the consumption of energy and the size of the carbon footprint.