SANCTUARY AND BEREAVEMENT SUITES

Sue Lawty, Artist
Lucy Harwood, Ginkgo Projects
Dr Lindsay Logie, Consultant Paediatrician
Annie Campbell
HLM Architects

Client: Multiplex Construction Europe Ltd. and NHS Lothian
Funded by: NHS Lothian Charity’s Tonic Arts Programme
Edinburgh Children’s Hospital Charity

Sue Lawty with Ginkgo Projects designed the sanctuary and bereavement suites for patients, staff and visitors of all faith communities and none, with spaces for reflecting, celebrating, and for communal activity. The spaces provide a main space for prayer, meditation and reflection, an interview room, and courtyard which allows for movement between inside and out.

“We had some initial meetings with staff from the Bereavement Services and the Spiritual Care Department. What was emphasised in these discussions was that the feeling and quality of the space was more important than specific art works. Sue Lawty quickly picked up that the biggest impact we could have was on the building itself. We worked with HLM [Architects] to change the shape of the spaces to a curved wall so the route through the space was calmer. The lighting and colour palate are soft and Sue focused on natural materials, with beautiful wooden floors and benches." – Lucy Harwood, Ginkgo Projects.