Recognizing that hospitals can be such uncomfortable places for adults to visit, medical institutions presently are created more pleasant and welcoming environments. We therefore explored what might be possible to do the same for children.
With children’s mindset, design approach of EKH CHILDREN HOSPITAL is to make the project a ‘fun’ place by incorporating many components of playground design. We use many elements as giant slider situated right at the front of the entrance hall, transforming waiting area of each clinic into a playground, indoor swimming pool with bunch of artificial clouds floating atop.
In addition, children dimension is created by using various physical shapes, colors and symbols materialized from design language that is made up of delicately curved lines and deliberately avoids the perfect geometric forms. Furniture is also generated with the sizes calculated to correspond with children’s body proportion, creating a built environment that truly accommodates children’s behaviors and preferences. The pastel color tone is employed to encourage children’s use of imagination. Indirect light with all the hallways of the hospital is installed in order to ensure that young patients won’t be disturbed by discomfort of excessive brightness.
The hospital offers four room types with friendly names of Whale, Turtle, Lion and Rabbit Constellation. Each room is decorated in a different color and installed above the bed is a glow-in-the-dark constellation with a customized lamp to provide both a standard lighting and level of illumination that is suitable for a good night’s sleep.
Last year more than 40 countries took part in the WIN Awards with strong showings from Europe, the Americas and Asia-Pacific. And we saw some truly outstanding interior designs, take a look at the winners from last year here.