JDDK Architects have been at the forefront of hospice design for over 30 years, having delivered over 40 projects for 25 hospice clients across the UK and Ireland. As part of a longstanding relationship with Marie Curie Cancer Care JDDK designed and delivered a 24 bed hospice in Solihull including day services and outpatient facilities, cafe area, education and training department along with administrative spaces. Construction completed in November 2012 with a contract value of £13m. The overall design of the hospice fuses domestic architecture with an open plan layout, drawing visitors and residents into a familiar environment. Research has shown the benefits of external views to the health and wellbeing of patients, staff and visitors in such a potentially stressful environment, so the design of the building is based on the idea of small wings, almost like the fingers of a hand, where all the patient rooms and circulation areas have external views over landscaped gardens. In addition to this, windows have been created between the bedrooms and the circulation spaces, the overall aim of which is to prevent feelings of isolation. This approach The development retains the vast majority of the existing trees on the site and includes the creation of a new wildlife pond – a popular and interesting external feature of the project which is covered by CCTV linked to all bedrooms so that all the residents can watch the natural habitat. The building to achieved a BREEAM Very Good rating. "From the first day when we moved patients from the old hospice, all I have heard is wonderful positive comments from patients, visitors and staff. I feel the most positive impression people have on entering the building is the openness and ability no matter where you are within the hospice is to see the outside; we have also been able to create a feeling of not only friendliness but also warmth which helps greatly at times when our patients or their families are very anxious." Liz Cottier, Hospice Manager, Marie Curie Hospice