Rising Star: Stephen Parker

Architect and mental health planner, Stantec Architecture. Part 1: 2014, Part 2: 2016

Stephen Parker describes himself as striving ‘to educate, advocate and elevate mental health issues through the lens of design’.  As a co-leader of Stantec Architecture’s mental health practice, he has designed many mental health, addiction treatment and development disorder clinics around the world, including mental health inpatient units in Canada. 

Based in Washington DC, Parker is actively shaping policy on design in this area, co-authoring the US Veterans Administration’s Inpatient Mental Health Design Guide and being a founding member of the Center for Health Design’s Mental & Behavioural Health Environment Network. He also volunteers as an associate of the Design in Mental Health Network, which is based in the UK.

Parker’s interest in designing for the mental health sector was informed by the experience of friends who suffered PTSD while serving abroad as well as that of his father (see below).

‘How do we change the narrative so that people are willing to address their mental health and aren’t scared to ask for help because of the fear of where they’ll end up?’ he asks, adding: ‘Democratising design knowledge around mental health is really a key part of how I advocate.’

Judges were impressed by Parker’s desire to drive change. ‘He uses his lived experience to inform his work, particularly around mental health,’ said Martyn Craddock. ‘Stephen’s dedication to design and advocacy for mental health facilities is inspiring and transformative,’ added James Purkiss.

What existing building and problem would you most like to tackle?

In emergency departments, there is a secure holding room for psychiatric patients. The one my father, Clark, found himself in at our hometown hospital was a windowless room. His delusion paranoia required coercion, spatial confinement and chemical restraint that ultimately led to 13 medications on his chart. The systemic problems of mental health access, the stigma of place and design’s role in helping, not hindering, mental wellbeing is the purpose of my practice.

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