Optima Psychiatric Clinic
Hospitaalpark
Bloemfontein
In less than five months, the existing Bloemfontein Inn Guesthouse had to be transformed into a private psychiatric facility. This existing building required serious structural intervention. The main challenge however, was to meet the strict requirements of the Department of Health.
Existing rooms had to be sacrificed in order to let more natural light into the corridor and other public areas. The quality of light in any building plays a big role on the psychological state of its inhabitants. In this case the role was paramount.
The upgrade and structural changes to the northern fasade, was not only a dramatic facelift, but added valuable functional space to this existing building. Small windows were replaced with bigger ones and glass doors that open up onto new balconies. This creates a pleasant breathing space for patients, even on the first floor. The existing and new services could be accommodated in the ducts which seperates these new balconies. The use of colour and different materials articulate this fasade. New balustrades and wattle covered pergolas lend finesse to this rather cubistic shaped building.
In less than a year it has become one of the most popular psychiatric facilities in the Free State. People are crazy about this place!
Engineers: MPS Consulting Engineers
Contractor: AK Kontrakteurs
