Bairns Hoose

Over the last 2 years Lee Boyd have been working closely with Children 1st^, Scotland’s national children’s charity, and their partner organisations, providing Architectural and Interior Design Services for the delivery of Scotland’s first Bairns Hoose, in North Strathclyde. The charity sought to transform how Children and young people who have experienced abuse and violence are supported through the justice, care and protection systems. It was designed in collaboration with a ‘changemaker’ group of children, with police and court representatives, social workers and with reference to the European ‘Barnahus’ model, which brings together justice, health, social work, and recovery support to best meet the needs of child victims and witnesses.

‘The expertise, creativity and attentiveness of Lee Boyd Architects was invaluable as they worked closely with Children 1st trauma recovery specialists to create a unique trauma sensitive space that also represents the voices of children and young people who have experienced violence or abuse. Now, rather than facing a justice experience that that can cause them further trauma and harm, Bairns Hoose will offer them hope, healing and recovery.’  Mary Glasgow, CEO Children 1st.

The Bairns Hoose was created by converting an existing bungalow and is intentionally designed to feel like a family home – it is warm, welcoming, and familiar and looks much like every other house in the street. It provides a single location alternative to courts, social work offices and police stations, allowing each young person to feel safe and supported, and able to recover and thrive.

It was very important that that the house felt as safe and welcoming as possible with trauma-sensitive design at the heart of the process. The external fabric of the bungalow was retained but internally it was completely replanned to improve accessibility and soundproofing and to allow the kitchen to be located at the heart of the house. A new extension was built to provide live video-link to court. New services were carefully integrated into the design, including a new air source heat pump serving underfloor heating and a mechanical ventilation with heat recovery system.  New rooms were designed to be soundproof with low reverberation, ensuring privacy between the rooms, and the collection of high-quality evidence to inform both legal and protective measures.

Glazed doors to the garden and a large rooflight were introduced to bring more light into the house. The connection with the garden was important and a local garden designer created a beautiful calming green space for recovery and healing. High quality furnishings, lighting and accessories were selected to create relaxing and comfortable spaces, where children would feel safe and cared for – nooks in the built-in furniture, large cocoon chairs for protection, rocking chairs for soothing and an external summerhouse for some quiet time away. Spaces were designed with neurodiversity in mind with a warm and soft colour palette with natural materials and finishes, where practical.

The Bairns Hoose has been operational now for over six months and is being evaluated as a pilot project allowing other partners and local authorities the opportunity to learn from the development and setting the standard for others to follow. In a recent visit to the house we were honoured to read the many wonderful reviews from visitors from Scotland and abroad. This response from Olivia Lind Haldorsson, President of the Promise Barnahus Network and Head of the Children at Risk Unit at the Council of the Baltic Sea States, was one of the most special: “ Just when I thought I had seen the best Barnahus you come along and take my breath away”

“Nicola and the team at Lee Boyd have been crucial to us realising our ambition to create a more compassionate and trauma sensitive approach to care, justice and recovery for children who have experienced the most awful things. Their level of care and attention to detail in this project have made sure that we have delivered all the technical specification required, alongside the most beautiful design. Children will be  offered care and justice in a space which is child centred, promotes healing and a gives sense of safety. They took this project to their hearts, going the extra mile to create a truly special place and every child and family who has to attend the Bairns Hoose will benefit from their love and care.  They were a delight to work with and felt like part of our team at Children 1st.” 

“The expertise, creativity
and attentiveness of Lee Boyd Architects was invaluable as they worked closely
with Children 1st trauma recovery specialists to create a unique trauma
sensitive space that also represents the voices of children and young people
who have experienced violence or abuse. Now, rather than facing a justice
experience that that can cause them further trauma and harm, Bairns Hoose will
offer them hope, healing and recovery.’’

Mary Glasgow, CEO, Children 1st

A reveal Video for the Bairns Hoose was shared by the Postcode Lottery to coincide with the completion of the project.

To view the video, please click here.