At the heart of the new Reuben Young People’s Centre at Chelsea and Westminster Hospital was a focus on reimagining the clinical feel that can often be associated with healthcare spaces, instead creating a welcoming environment that promotes healing and well-being.
With the flooring playing a critical element of the refurbishment, White Arkitekter trusted Forbo’s flooring portfolio to support their strong design narrative.
Following a generous donation from the Reuben Foundation, an existing paediatric ward at Chelsea and Westminster Hospital was extensively refurbished to create the Reuben Young People’s Centre, bringing mental and physical healthcare together in a dedicated environment for children and adolescents.
The project was a collaboration between CW+ and internationally renowned architects White Arkitekter.
Given the research into the positive impact a well-designed environment can have on recovery, especially for children and young people who may feel anxious in hospital settings, the focus was on creating a ward that feels welcoming, calm and therapeutic for all young people, regardless of the reason for their admission.
Speaking about the project, Ana Grgurac, Senior Architect at White Arkitekter, said: “We were appointed to develop the layout, interior design and fit-out of the ward, including all interior finishes. Our aim was to create a calm, welcoming environment that felt radically different from the clinical feel often associated with healthcare.
“It was a highly collaborative project. Working alongside the CW+ Arts in Health team, who commissioned two artists to create murals throughout the ward, we developed an interior palette that balanced these vibrant interventions with neutral finishes, soft textures and light colours. In the corridors, where natural daylight is limited, lighter finishes and the artwork helped create a brighter, more uplifting atmosphere. In contrast, the bedrooms were intentionally designed as calm, low-stimulation spaces that support rest and recovery.”
Flooring was a critical element of the redesign, providing both durability and comfort. White Arkitekter specified Forbo Flooring Systems’ Sphera Energetic homogeneous vinyl in the Shimmer Lace colourway, installed in all clinical spaces, bedrooms and corridors.
Ana explained: “Having specified Forbo products on previous healthcare projects, we were familiar with the range and knew it could meet both our design aspirations and the technical requirements of the ward. We selected Sphera Energetic for its aesthetic versatility, sustainability credentials and durability, helping us create a welcoming, non-institutional environment while meeting the hygiene and maintenance requirements of a busy paediatric and adolescent ward.
“While the scope of the project was defined by the refurbishment of an existing ward, sustainability informed decisions wherever possible. Existing rooms and building elements were retained where feasible, while new materials were selected for their longevity and low environmental impact. Forbo Sphera contributed to this ambition through its low emissions, durability and recyclability.”
In addition to Sphera, a combination of Forbo’s Surestep Original and Surestep Laguna safety flooring was installed across the ward’s kitchens and shower rooms in the Snow and Sand colourways. As well as providing guaranteed lifetime slip resistance, all Surestep floors are finished with a protective PUR coating, resulting in exceptional stain, scratch and chemical resistance.
“One of the advantages of working with Forbo is its extensive product portfolio. Once we'd selected Sphera for the main ward areas, it was straightforward to specify a complementary safety flooring for the support spaces, while maintaining a consistent design language across the project,” continued Ana.
“This project demonstrates how thoughtful, sustainable design and carefully selected materials can help create healthcare environments that feel welcoming, calm and supportive for young people. The completed ward is now a vibrant, uplifting space that supports young people’s mental and physical health needs - a far cry from the clinical, intimidating environments often associated with healthcare. Through a strong design vision, creative collaboration and carefully considered material choices including Forbo’s flooring, the project delivers a lasting positive impact for patients, families, and staff alike.”