The Sanctuary, The Royal Infirmary of Edinburgh
The Sanctuary: a place of refuge, of shelter, of protection, where nature and the world of spirit meet. A place safe to use, to reflect and pray, to come and go, to bring and leave, to wait or be.
The Sanctuary was designed by leading Scottish artist, Donald Urquhart for the Chaplaincy team at the Royal Infirmary in Edinburgh. It is Scotland's first new specifically-designed nondenominational hospital and was devised to develop an inclusive approach to spiritual care within the hospital. In the context of a wider programme of arts-led initiatives within the hospital, the space and commissioning process provides a platform for an exploration about art and its role within the healthcare environment.
The Sanctuary, The Royal Infirmary of Edinburgh.
Designed by Donald Urquhart, 2004.
Photo: Ruth Clark.
Over a two year period visual artist Donald Urquhart worked in collaboration with the Chaplaincy team, Consort Healthcare, staff, Ginkgo Projects, the Hospital Arts Committee and across the City's faith communities to create a space for the hospital's patients, staff and visitors.
As in all complex projects the road is not always straight and easy to follow. The language, expectations and working process of an arts-led project was an alien and unexplored territory for the hospital. The notion of letting an artist loose to work within a pressured and complex construction project took some time to accommodate. Through persistence on all sides the resulting space evolved. It was only with the confident trust placed by the Chaplaincy team in a placement based commissioning process that opportunities could be found to develop individual relationships between artists, staff and users. Out of these new relationships Donald formed the concept for the new space.
The Sanctuary, The Royal Infirmary of Edinburgh.
Designed by Donald Urquhart, 2004.
Photo: Ruth Clark.
Because his work was grounded in the very real and everyday happenings of the hospital, a space grew that met the needs of this very demanding acute environment. It is a space that is 'other'; set aside from the clinical hospital environment yet located at the heart of it. Its structure is designed to accommodate individuals seeking solace, small groups and use by a larger hospital congregation.
The Sanctuary, The Royal Infirmary of Edinburgh.
Designed by Donald Urquhart, 2004.
Photo: Ruth Clark.
The overall design of the Sanctuary and the use of commissioned work to populate it from a wide range of artists and makers living and working in Scotland have allowed the expression of the natural world to infiltrate and enrich this clinical hospital environment. This is achieved both in oblique and direct references and by the extensive use of natural materials. Through the tight curation of the contribution from artists, a space has evolved that has the clear authorship of Donald but also the breadth and vision of others. This has been an enjoyable aspect of the commissioning process.
It has only been through the unswerving commitment of both staff and artists that the hospital now has this legacy in the form of a new place that is here to provide refuge and sanctuary at any time of day or night.
Tom Littlewood Ginkgo Projects
To mark the completion of the Sanctuary, a book and a film have been produced which document the space and record the process of design and implementation. The book is available free on request from Ginkgo Projects.
Further details: Ginkgo Projects, St. Judes Studio, Axbridge, BS26 2AF Tel: 01934 733406; Email: [email protected]
