National Treatment Centre, Highland - Interiors

The National Treatment Centre, Highland is a unique example of the power of stakeholder-led healthcare design.  Through collaborative design, our healthcare and interiors teams have created a facility built around care and compassion for patients, staff and visitors alike.

Positioned in a prominent elevated site, the building offers 360° visual connection to its green surroundings bringing a vibrant, uplifting feeling to all spaces and capturing a high proportion of natural light.  

The interior design concept draws inspiration from the beautiful Highland surrounding landscapes enriching the care journey through the Hospital. Each section of the hospital is thoughtfully imbued with distinct characteristics inspired by the diverse Highland scenery from fields of heather to serene beaches, with a colour palette to match. Blues, oranges and pinks reflect the surrounding landscape, bringing a vibrant, uplifting feeling to all spaces. These bright and cheerful colours contrast with the typical sterile healthcare environment, helping lift spirits of staff and patients.

Just as landmarks in nature serve as navigational aids, the design elements act as waypoints, providing identity and orientation within the facility. Whether it's the serene tranquility of a forest or the vibrant energy of a flowing river, each area within the hospital evokes a sense of place, fostering a connection to the environment that surrounds it and a sense of peace from the calm that nature provokes.

The local landscape imagery spanning the walls in waiting and breakout areas lift the spaces which are coupled with open slatted walls which maintain connection while offering privacy and space for reflection.

Designing the hospital in a way that has maximised exposure to natural light brings a fresh airy feel to all areas, contributing to an overall sense of wellbeing for patients, staff and visitors.

As an elective care facility providing care for local communities, the National Treatment Centre, Highland has successfully reduced waiting times and improved health outcomes. Since its opening in April 2023, it has exceeded all strategic local and national targets and has continued to show efficiencies beyond expectations.  

Its ease, functionality and beauty have become an incentive for professionals to relocate to the North of Scotland. Jane Barniesin a Staff Nurse stated, "Hospitals always have something missing. But here - the National Treatment Centre has instilled a desire to instil kindness.”