IN a collaboration between exceptional NHS interior suppliers and the UK’s finest healthcare designers, 10 leading architects took part in an innovative project spearheaded by Altro aimed at inspiring creativity among healthcare design specialists using newly approved products from the ProCure23 Framework standard components catalogue.

The healthcare design specialists took up the challenge to create moodboards for various hospital areas, drawing on products curated by Altro from four of the manufacturers in the ProCure23 catalogue.

Months in the making, the culmination was a celebration event held at Altro’s Clerkenwell showroom, showcasing the moodboards and demonstrating what can be achieved in various healthcare environments to encourage healing and wellbeing by choosing the best products that aren’t ‘only safe, durable, hygienic and easy to clean, but also beautiful’.

ProCure23, the collaborative procurement framework between NHS England and Crown Commercial Service, has surpassed its target of £3bn through the framework so far, with 72 projects complete or underway. Looking to achieve high quality projects that deliver value for money, ProCure23 is focused on fostering collaboration between clients, contractors, and suppliers.

Jacquie Gaffney, NHS England ProCure23 implementation lead was at the event: ‘This is the first event of its kind I know of. Collaboration is so important for ProCure23, and is often focused on the relationships between clients, contractors and suppliers so it’s been wonderful to be in the room with so many people who are so passionate about healthcare design.

‘The mood board project is a celebration of collaboration between designers and architects working with manufacturers to create environments for healthcare that are the best they can be, with designs that can be adapted and shared.

‘Trusts using the ProCure23 Framework can have confidence they’re working with suppliers whose products are compliant, and the success of ProCure is it reaching beyond compliance and into best practice, which can be seen in collaborative partnership working like this.’

Stephanie Kyle, senior architect and inclusive design consultant at Floyd
Slaski Architects was one of the designers taking part.

She says: ‘Our brief was to create a staff wellbeing space that was design inclusivity focused, containing both sensory calming and sensory stimulating areas. It’s essential to have various spaces to accommodate different needs, especially in a hospital setting where staff may experience different types of stress.

‘Our ‘crisis café design’ showcases how even a small space can offer diverse environments, including calming, sensory avoidant spaces, social, and energetic areas, through thoughtful finishes and design.’

In the world of healthcare design, functionality and aesthetics must go hand-in-hand to create environments that promote healing and comfort.

Says Altro, ‘The Altro P23 mood-board project successfully demonstrates the power of collaborative creativity in healthcare design. It showcases how thoughtful integration of different products could result in environments that aren’t only functional but also visually inspiring. As healthcare design continues to evolve, such initiatives play a crucial role in pushing the boundaries and setting new standards for excellence.

The mood-boards were on display in the Altro London showroom until January 2025.’

Synopsis of mood-boards
Ingleton Wood – day surgery waiting area
‘The use of calming colours and materials focus on creating a welcoming atmosphere. Soft blue tones evoke tranquillity and trust, making patients feel at ease. Grey serves as a neutral foundation, promoting a clean and modern aesthetic while complementing the blue. Wood effect accents add warmth and a natural touch, enhancing comfort.

‘Textured elements like plush seating and smooth surfaces create a welcoming and homely atmosphere. The introduction of soft, diffused lighting further enhances the calming ambiance. Overall, this design approach blends soothing colours and materials, prioritising patient comfort and a sense of safety, which we believe a healthcare environment should.’

Murphy Philipps – the orthopaedic ward
‘Inspired by the Lake District, our concept seeks to ‘bring the calm of nature indoors.’ Wards and associated spaces can often feel disconnected from the outdoors, so our colour palette aims to infuse natural elements into these areas. Drawing from the colours of trees, lakes, and stones, we focus on a harmonious blend of greens, blues, and light browns. This approach fosters a tranquil environment, creating a soothing atmosphere that connects patients and staff with the beauty of the natural world, ultimately enhancing their well-being and comfort.’

Alessandro Caruso Architects (ACA) – dementia-friendly hospital day room
‘This mood board envisions a welcoming social area for dementia patients in a hospital setting. The space features soft, calming colours like pastel blues and greens to promote tranquillity. Comfortable seating arrangements encourage social interaction while natural light and greenery create an inviting atmosphere. Engaging sensory elements such as wooden wall panels and bright lighting stimulate cognitive function and help circadian rhythm. Some design ideas include familiar objects and memory aids to evoke positive memories, fostering a sense of belonging. In summary, this area aims to enhance well-being, reduce anxiety and encourage meaningful connections among patients and their families.’

Crowther Associates – paediatric A&E waiting area
‘The concept of the paediatric waiting area was to create an interesting but calming environment inspired by nature to evoke a soothing space. Calming colours were applied to avoid over stimulating young children awaiting procedures/appointments, and to encourage patients to feel at ease. The space will be accessed by children and adolescents, therefore the space must be suitable in design and finish for older children as well as younger children.

‘Simplicity, accessibility and intimacy are key aspects of the design. Different areas are denoted by varying the application of contrasting materials and colour schemes, as opposed to using physical barriers. Zones vary depending on the level of privacy and intimacy required. Maximising the application of soft textures and furnishings is encouraged to evoke comfort and well-being. The base colours are green tones. Green is the basic colour of nature that will bring balance and harmony.

‘The accent colours have been chosen to enhance our mood as well as create a tranquil space. Blue is another relaxing shade that is reflective of the natural environment in the sea and sky. Orange and yellow are joyful colours reflected of a beautiful sunset. These are good shades for happiness and contentment. Pink is representative of compassion and perfectly complements green. Colour is subjective therefore the pallet chosen for the paediatric waiting area has been carefully considered to evoke calm and to put patients at ease.’

P+HS – urgent treatment centre lobby & waiting area
‘Our brief was to design an urgent treatment centre (UTC). Our aim was to create a space that was functional and calming, ensuring patient comfort while maintaining practicality and function to facilitate efficient medical care. We chose to use soft tones to provide a tranquil environment, while using pops of warm shades of orange and aqua to add visual interest and energy without overwhelming the soft palette.’

Medical architecture – oncology ward: chemotherapy bays
‘Undergoing chemotherapy is typically one of the most challenging experiences of a patient’s life. To address its bespoke healthcare requirements while also creating a natural, calming environment, these chemotherapy bays have been thoughtfully designed to make the patient’s experience as painless as possible.

‘The materials have been carefully selected owing to their multi-purpose characteristics. Each product meets every clinical requirement in regard to infection control, cleanability, LRV values, and practicality, while also evoking the natural world. Together with the earthy, restful colour palette, the interplay of texture, the alcove seating area, and the imaginative power of art, each bay imitates a rural, mountainous landscape to catch the patient’s attention and to foster a sense of peaceful ease, rather than a cold, institutional ward that is associated with distress and infirmity.’

Hunters – operating theatre and associated areas
‘The triptych mood board encapsulates the key spaces that form part of a patient’s journey in a hospital environment: a pre-operation room that prepares for a patient’s transition into their medical procedure; an operating theatre that exudes a calming environment for patients and facilitates staff workflow; and a discharge lounge that allows patient recovery in absolute comfort and care.

‘Thematic colours of blue hues and earthy tones are selected to create a warm clinical environment. Application of the materials is carefully curated as a crucial wayfinding strategy for patients and space indicator that accentuates the functionality of each space.’

Georgia Burt – midwife-led birthing room
‘Initial concepts for the midwifery department were to create a domestic environment, a typical ‘home from home,’ in a holistic and mindful clinical space. To enhance the design, several evidence-based design principles, such as views out – natural and ambient lighting eCects – colour in material and furnishings and the artwork as a focus were used. To add to the resonance of the design, additional biophilic plant concepts were incorporated in each space through the medium of colour, texture and illustration, in this instance, these plants have been shown to be beneficial when taken during pregnancy and labour.’

Floyd Slaski – staff wellbeing area
‘The Floyd Slaski Architects’ mood-board presents a hospital staff wellbeing space, thoughtfully designed for nervous system regulation after emotionally challenging events, such as delivering difficult news or patient loss. This neurodiverse-inclusive space features varied atmospheric zones that provide opportunities for calm or gentle stimulation based on individual sensory needs. Inspired by a Crisis Café layout, it showcases how small spaces can support diverse responses to stress. The colour palettes are LRV-compliant and sensory-friendly, balancing calming tones with more stimulating hues to foster resilience and recovery. This design embodies a supportive, sensory-conscious environment for staff wellbeing in high-stress healthcare settings.’

KLH – acute assessment ward
‘For our acute assessment ward, we’ve chosen to adopt a holistic approach and consider the user experience for staff and patients. Looking at the use of colour and how colours impact our feelings, we have curated palettes for each zone in order to promote a positive experience.

‘The main entrance has been designed to feel inviting and homely with the use of wood-effect flooring, complemented with pops of colour to create a contemporary feel. The consult and clinical areas feature calming and soft tones to encourage feelings of tranquillity. Lastly, our staff areas have been designed to feel modern and energising while still providing tones of relaxation and rejuvenation.’
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