The Whittington Hospital
House of Grey is honoured to share the news of a project we have been putting our hearts and souls into over the last twelve months: three spaces created for the North London NHS hospital, The Whittington.
Each year the Studio chooses a project to donate its services to without charge, spaces which can embody our Circular Salutogenic Design principles, and in 2023 we selected The Whittington. As a Studio, supporting our local community is something which brings us a great level of contentment and investing both financially and creatively in it rewards us in many ways. In the past we have held an event for a local food bank following on from the pandemic and we are enthusiastic to embrace more projects in the future which encourage positive change for the north London community and beyond.
Over the last year House of Grey has worked closely with The Whittington trust to create three spaces designed to nourish the staff and patients of the Neonatal intensive care unit - seeking to provide a benchmark for other NHS trusts to follow, to serve over 500,000 people.
The Studio was briefed to design three nurturing and healthy environments which would offer the staff a calming space to retreat to and the parents safe spaces where they could feel supported while facing such a challenging period in their lives. Each of the environment's have been carefully considered to be an environment which would Nourish, Heal and Support.
The three spaces we have been focused on are: the staff room which will be known as ‘Nurture’, the counselling room which will be known as ‘Heal’ and the parents room which will be known as ‘Support’.
The project itself feels a full-circle moment for the Studio:
“The seeds of Circular Salutogenic Design were sown when I spent time in the hospital having my son, where I found the strip lighting and overall design did not encourage my recovery. I wanted to feel supported and I wanted the staff to feel the same - I imagined warm spaces that allowed staff to work to their optimum, spaces which were practical yet still aesthetically pleasing, a contrast to the stark, often harsh, environment I experienced and which brought on feelings of anxiety and stress.” – Louisa Grey, Founder of House of Grey
Reimagining the landscape of Healthcare
In an age of growing awareness around human health, the design of healthcare spaces enters a strong transformation. The sterile, impersonal interiors of traditional hospitals are giving way to spaces that champion human health as their main purpose. In the philosophy of salutogenic design, we envision healthcare environments doing more than treat illness; they foster holistic healing by creating spaces that resonate on emotional, physical, and ecological levels. They become spaces that do not just serve patients but, rather, nurture them, acknowledging that the mind and body are powerfully influenced by their environments.
Material matters, a circular approach
Circular design is central to reshaping healthcare interiors, where the life cycle of materials and the impact of waste must be considered with care. A healthcare environment crafted with non-toxic, renewable, and recycled materials represents a commitment to both patient health and environmental responsibility. Materials that breathe, such as lime plaster, natural clay, and organic fabrics, promote indoor air quality and reduce the strain of artificial ventilation, benefitting not just patients but also the caregivers who inhabit these spaces day after day. The essence of circularity is not only in the origin of materials but in their life beyond the facility. Where possible, these materials should be reclaimed or repurposed.
Spaces that adapt
Healthcare facilities are embracing modularity and adaptability, essential principles in salutogenic design. The ability to reconfigure spaces based on patient and staff needs, community use, or new medical practices provides a future flexibility to the building.
In this approach, we designed the staff room, known as ‘Nurture’—a compact space that still accommodates and adapts to the evolving needs of staff. Recognising its small footprint, we approached the design with careful attention to ergonomic and modular elements that maximise comfort and functionality. From flexible furniture that can be easily reconfigured to ambient lighting and natural textures, Nurture serves as a quiet refuge within the hospital. Here, staff are invited to decompress and rejuvenate in a space that, even though modest, is attentive to their physical and mental needs.
Designing for mental and emotional recovery
Salutogenic design prioritises mental and emotional healing alongside physical recovery. This philosophy acknowledges that environments designed with intention can evoke feelings of safety, trust, and empowerment. Spaces are designed with gentle curvature rather than harsh angles, creating a sense of embrace rather than restrain. Colour schemes favour calm, neutral tones inspired by nature.
Seating areas now incorporate textures inspired by fine Belgian linen and natural wool, tactility that invites comfort and grounding. Artwork by local artists, showcasing natural landscapes or abstract forms, offers moments of visual therapy.
Through circular salutogenic design, the modern healthcare environment becomes a space that nurtures health, not merely as a response to illness but as a fundamental celebration of life. We aimed to transform the three rooms of the The Whittington into sanctuaries reminding patients, caregivers, and community members that their health is supported by spaces that breathe, evolve, and heal alongside them.
To bring the project to life, the Studio called on its creative tribe of craftspeople, artists and creators to contribute objects and artwork. The generosity of our tribe allowed us to be able to include artwork from the regenerative artist Yair Neuman, pieces from British furniture makers Pinch Design, and kitchen appliances from Fisher and Paykel, Bauwerk, Graphenstone, Sedilia, Ferm Living, Carl Hansen & Son, Amande Haeghen , dirkvanderkooi, Sabine Marcelis,Amtico, Quooker, Seb Cox, Ask Og Eng, Jan Henzal, The Audo Frama , Viaduct, Marion Bryony Rhoades .
We are forever grateful to be surrounded by such giving and thoughtful creatives.
Being given the opportunity to work on projects which positively impact many lives gives our work an even deeper sense of meaning. We hope that the rooms designed bring a greater awareness within the health shere on the importance of our physical surroundings when in times of difficulty. We look forward to sharing this project early 2025!