Raphael Therapy Centre, Aberdeen

Stimulating and supporting rather than fixing what is broken, has empowered people to a far more patient lead, proactive attitude to health and wellness.

The Raphael Therapy centre mirrors this in the design, resulting in a small, carefully crafted building, that complements an existing courtyard, with gables alluding to the traditional roof-shapes of the neighbouring historic houses, but accentuated by sweeping curves in plan and elevation to emphasise flow and rhythm.

Patients can receive complementary therapy in rhythmical massage and Dr. Hauschka massage, therapeutic oil bath, speech, counselling and movement therapy.

Nurturing our sense enriches our well-being and joy. The project was nominated by Aberdeen Civic Society as one of the best small projects of the year 2010.

Hillsdale Chapel, New York, USA

The genius loci of the place asked for a modest but self-confident architecture, expressed by the vernacular choice of external finishing materials and shapes. The interior unfolds as a space that reveals the uniqueness of the situation and carries the visitor into a mood of quiet reverence.

There is an element of playfulness in the serenity of the space, a subtle asymmetry and gentle variation in the left and right experience.

Simple yet beautifully crafted details prepare the grounds for the vibrant interplay of colour and light. The space is captivating but not talkative, small but generous in its gesture.

The project had undergone a design odyssey, with several architects guiding the project group through different design stages. The final design was worked up in collaboration with the artist Laura Summer and then handed over to a local project team for technical design and construction.