A local mental health support service in Wigan required a transformation of an existing office space into a welcoming café environment for individuals experiencing crisis. Our mechanical and electrical engineering team supported the design team with technical detailed designs to create a space that balances critical safety requirements with a warm atmosphere. We worked closely with the client to overcome tight budget constraints, carefully providing design solutions that create a dignified, comfortable support space. The result is a thoughtfully engineered environment that provides both practical protection and emotional comfort for vulnerable community members.
CLIENT: Greater Manchester Mental Health
LOCATION: Wigan, Greater Manchester
SERVICES: Mechanical & Electrical Engineering
RIBA STAGES: 4-5
Client Objectives
The project involved refurbishing a 90s double-fronted retail space on Crompton Street Wigan into a warm and homely environment for individuals experiencing crisis. A support space that feels far from clinical or institutional, a café that would foster a sense of safety, dignity, and community for its users.
One of the key challenges the client faced was working within a tight budget, which required careful planning and multiple rounds of value engineering to ensure the design intent was met without compromising quality or functionality.
Additionally, the client was keen to avoid a clinical or institutional feel, which is often associated with support facilities. To achieve this, they wanted a thoughtful balance between anti-ligature and non-anti-ligature elements. While safety remained paramount, especially for vulnerable individuals, it was equally important that the space did not feel overly restrictive or sterile.
Our Solution
Our team at PSA was appointed as the Mechanical and Electrical design engineers, working closely with the architect, Gilling Dod, and main contractors, Red Tree Building Contractors, to develop a fully coordinated and practical design. We took on the complex task of translating the warm, homely concept into a functional space that met all safety requirements.
Our approach involved extensive value engineering to maintain financial viability without compromising the design intent. We worked diligently to identify cost-saving opportunities, ensuring that the final design preserved both functionality and the desired aesthetic. This included providing design clarifications, attending site meetings, and resolving construction challenges as they arose.
The design included the provision of:
- Heating, ventilation and cooling systems
- Lighting and power
- Water supply
- Safety and security systems
The Outcome
The project successfully transformed the former HealthyRoutes Wigan office into a supportive, dignified space that challenges traditional support facility design. By prioritising both safety and emotional well-being, we created an environment that offers genuine support to individuals in crisis, demonstrating the power of thoughtful, compassionate design.
Images courtesy of: Gilling Dod
