The Children's Hospital
Whimsical art and carefully selected colors creates a hospital refuge for young patients.
Photo © Eckert & Eckert
Photo © Basil Childers
Photo © Basil Childers
Image courtesy Zimmer Gunsul Frasca Architects
Image courtesy Zimmer Gunsul Frasca Architects
Image courtesy Zimmer Gunsul Frasca Architects
Image courtesy Zimmer Gunsul Frasca Architects
Image courtesy Zimmer Gunsul Frasca Architects
When The Children’s Hospital set out to design and build its new 1.44 million-square-foot facility, the mission was straightforward: to create a family-centered care center where children could heal, and to include the latest advances in medical-facility design. When patients enter the hospital, they and their family, and friends, are welcomed into an environment that is, colorful, nurturing, and comfortable.
The heart of the building—the four-story Boettcher Atrium—captures the whimsy and spirit of the hospital via a terrazzo floor that incorporates butterflies, snowflakes, fish, and a variety of familiar shapes. The hospital’s art program, a critical component of its healing environment, extends to the walls, where glass panels feature a variety of images like snowflakes that, upon closer inspection, are composed of animals, skaters, and baseball players. Additionally, images of rustic Indian paintbrush, rocks with lichen, and colorful aspen leaves brighten vinyl tiles in the cafeteria. Trees dusted with fresh snow, mountain meadow scenes, and aspen trees are etched into glass partitions throughout the hospital.
The color palette is also of note, consisting of various shades of green, violet, yellow, blue, and turquoise, all of which were selected for their healing qualities and applied based on the activities performed in a space. Brighter palettes were utilized in areas like the atrium, cafeteria, and clinic areas, while a more subdued palette was applied in the chapel, intensive care, and respite areas. Natural light was maximized throughout the facility.
The patient rooms were designed to host just one child, and in the spirit of family-centered care, each room has sleeping accommodations for family members, plus adequate storage, a desk, and data ports, so families can comfortably stay with children. Separate family suites have also been included in the facility.
The Neonatal Intensive Care Unit is softly lit and quiet, reflecting the latest medical research that demonstrates low light levels and a quiet atmosphere with privacy improve infants’ wellbeing. For teenage patients, a 3,000 square-foot “hot spot” just for teens features a movie theater, pool table, basketball arcade, and a music/reading room. Additional play spaces for children are located throughout the hospital.
Multiple amenities are also provided for hospital staff, including lounges, staff showers, exercise facilities, inside bicycle storage, and a staff-only terrace.
PeopleOwner: Design Architect: Personnel in architect's firm who should receive special credit: Architect of record: Interior designer: Engineer(s): Design M/E/P Engineer: Associate M/E/P Engineer: Consultant(s): Lighting: Francis Krahe & Associates Inc. Acoustical: Colin Gordon & Associates Other: AV/IT/Communications: Sparling Associate IT Consultant: Rimrock Group, Inc. Art Consultant: Eloise Damrosch Commissioned Artists: Duke Beardsley, Carolyn Braaksma, John Buck, Jim Budish, John Fielder, Larry Kirkland, Patty Maly, Jésus Moroles, Karen Story and Mary Williams ArtHouse Design, Graphics/Wayfinding General contractor: Photographer(s): Renderer(s): |
ProductsStructural system: Roofing: Glazing: Doors: Sliding doors: Marshfield Door Systems Hardware: Security devices: Ingersoll Rand Security Technologies and Von Dupri Interior finishes: Cabinetwork and custom woodwork: 9Wood, Inc., New World Millworks Wallcoverings: Carnegie, Maharam and Steelcase Inc.’s Designtex Paneling: ISEC Incorporated Solid Surface: Aristech Acrylics, Dupont Rubber Flooring: Freudenberg Building Systems, Inc. Sheet Vinyl: Lonseal, Tarkett Marley Floors Vinyl Tile: Steelcase Inc.’s Designtex Ceramic tile: American Olean, Kohler Co. Interiors Group’s Ann Sacks div., Pratt and Larson Ceramics, Tandus USA Inc. Resilient flooring: Armstrong World Industries, Inc., Farbo Flooring, Tarket Carpet: Atlas Carpet Mills Inc., Interface Corporation, J&J Industries Carpet System Carpet Tile: Shaw Industries Group, Inc Furnishings: Auditorium seating: Skeie AS Cafeteria seating: Knoll Inc. Cafeteria tables: Berco Inc. Children’s furniture: Agati Inc., Dauphin, Dellarobbia, Gordon International, Herman Miller Inc., Magnus Olesen A/S and TotaLibra (now DEMCO Library Interiors) Conference seating: Brayton International Inc. and Knoll Inc. Conference tables: Nienkämper Files: Herman Miller Inc. Lounge seating: Bernhardt Furniture Company, Brandrud, Steelcase Inc.’s Brayton International Inc., Dauphin, Keilhauer, Magnus Olesen A/S, New World Millworks (custom design), Swedese Möbler and Tuohy Furniture Corporation Outdoor furniture: Knoll Inc. and Landscape Forms Inc. Patient beds: Stryker Corporation Patient over-bed tables: NK Medical Products Patient room seating: Gordon International, Nemschoff Inc (custom design sofa/sleeper)., Sleepcare Inc. and Weiland Upholstery: Knoll Inc., Mahaaram, Sina Pearson Textiles, Steelcasem Inc.’s Designtex Lighting: Conveyance: Plumbing: Add any additional building components or special equipment that made a significant contribution to this project: Monitors: Philips Medical Systems Radiology: Siemens Medical Solutions and Swissray International Inc.
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