On July 1st Governor Shumlin, State officials and close to 150 people celebrated the opening of the new Vermont Psychiatric Care Hospital (VPCH) in Berlin, VT.
Vermonters with acute mental health treatment needs will finally have a place to go since August of 2011 when Tropical Storm Irene closed down the Vermont State Hospital in Waterbury.
The 25 bed state-of-the-art facility, a balance of safety and beauty, was designed by Architecture + out of Troy, NY and sits on approximately 5 acres of land, providing a therapeutic environment. The living quarters are arranged into multi-bedroom units – all with private bedrooms and bathrooms and each unit has a living room, quiet room, comfort room, dining area and flexible nursing unit. Special features include active and passive outdoor spaces including a treatment gateway. A court/chapel/visiting room, library, activity center, greenhouse, and exercise room round out the spaces within the hospital.
The choice of materials were thoughtfully planned to include local products, but also durable materials that would withstand hard abuse that this type of facility will most definitely see.
Engelberth also built the temporary 8-bed hospital in Morristown, VT, as well as the Psychiatric Care Unit at Rutland Regional Medical Center.