The Victorian facilities at St Mary’s Hospital for the Doctor’s on call (DOC) accommodation required upgrading to bring them in line with current regulations and to make them more habitable and hospitable. Colour was used in this low-budget project to unify disparate elements. Inspiration came from Bridget Riley’s paintings within the ‘Egyptian palette’ because of their unusual combination of muted primaries colours which seemed appropriate to the young client group.

The DOC accommodation bedrooms for overnight stay only, were created from subdividing larger rooms. They are colour coded with either red, blue or yellow, with carpet, pinboards and sink units picking up on these colours. The Doctor’s mess area was created as one large space divided by glazed screens to form sitting and dining areas. White walls and colourful furniture create a non-institutional feel.

In addition the long internal corridor serving the bedrooms have bright colourful, spot-lit panels which highlight the vertical chimney flues.