Seamans Building is delighted to have delivered the refurbishment and extension of Northside House – an NHS mental health centre in Norwich.

The project, on behalf of the Norfolk and Suffolk NHS Foundation Trust (NSFT), comprised of three phases of construction, completed in 2017.

Phase one of the project involved initial enabling work to one ward and the refurbishment of two further wards.

The second phase included tree clearance, construction of a retaining wall, the creation of earth mounds and the relocation of gas and water mains, in preparation for phase three.

For phase three, Seamans constructed a new eight-bedroom ward while refurbishing a further ward.

The new ward, designed by Hoopers Architects Ltd, is a part steel frame construction, with piled foundations, masonry walls and Britplas secure doors and windows.

Work on Northside House, which was previously known as The Norvic Clinic, also included the construction of a timber flat roof, with a single ply membrane, internal finishes and mechanical and electrical works.

Ben Whatling, Production Director at Seamans Building said: “This was a fascinating project to work on.

“We are proud of the work undertaken by Seamans alongside Hoopers Architects and Norfolk and Suffolk NHS Foundation Trust to deliver this hugely important project.”

Stuart Richardson, chief executive with NSFT, said post-completion: “The new-look wards at Northside House are ensuring that our service users can receive safe, high-quality care closer to home without the need to be sent out of area for assessment, treatment and rehabilitation.

“The extensive project has also significantly improved the facilities in which our service users receive care, which is vitally important as many may remain within the units for several years while we work intensely with them to help them recover better mental health.

“Providing care from a comfortable environment also encourages more effective relationships with staff, which can help to diffuse any potentially difficult situations which may arise without the need to increase physical or procedural security.”

You can find out more about our previous projects, benefiting a range of sectors, on our projects page.