Fair Havens Hospice is located in Southend-on-Sea and provides specialist care for adults with life-limiting illnesses. This purpose-built building replaced two older former residential properties which suffered from limited size and facilities. Architects LSI took on the design of the new building after designing the Arthur Rank Hospice in Cambridge.

Following our successful work on the nearby  North Road and Valkyrie Health Centres we were appointed by Barnes Construction to provide acoustic design of the building and services throughout the project programme. 

Good acoustic design was key to achieving a calm acoustic environment throughout the hospice whilst maintaining a domestic and non-clinical environment for patients as far is possible within this setting.  The central lounge gives residents and their families an area to socialise, along with the cafe which can accommodate beds being brought into the area. These large spaces feature high ceilings and required significant acoustic treatment. We also paid close attention to the bedrooms which incorporate glazed views to the gardens and courtyard.  Through close co-operation with the architects and interior designers we achieved a well-controlled acoustic environment without an over reliance on conventional clinical finishes.

When the hospice opened in 2019 it was greeted with enthusiastic approval. The CEO of Havens Hospices, Steve Smith said, “We’ve received numerous comments from visitors that they are gobsmacked by how well designed the new building is”. Working alongside LSI Architects once again was a pleasure and we are delighted to have contributed to the success of this important new facility.

Client: Havens Hospices

Architect: LSI Architects

Contractor: Barnes Construction

Contract value : £17.2m

Images credit: LSI Architects