The entrance to the Children’s Hospital is marked by “Spot,” a 38-foot-tall Dalmatian balancing a taxi on its nose, a public sculpture as playful as it is monumental. Created by local artist Donald Lipski, Spot assures families that they have arrived at the right place.
A dedicated lobby establishes a New York City theme that carries throughout the Children’s Hospital. Separate elevators for children and their families connect the lobby to the various clinical areas on upper floors. This strong visual motif helps to create a coherent experience as families move through the building.
The Children’s Center, on the seventh floor of the tower, houses the family resource center and child-life activity areas, including an art room, a teen lounge, and an event space for holiday celebrations and performances. A broadcast room allows programming on the seventh floor to be recorded and broadcast to the inpatient rooms upstairs.
The distinct children’s terrace offers patients the opportunity to get outside and play, a precious resource for children and families with extended hospital stays.
The pediatric surgical center has a separate reception and family waiting area for children. Dedicated rooms for prep and recovery are sized to accommodate family members and are equipped with sliding glass doors for greater acoustic privacy.
On the inpatient units, a reception desk immediately off the elevators ensures that all patients and visitors are greeted when they arrive on the floor. In addition to the large Children’s Center, smaller playrooms can be found within each nursing unit.
Patient rooms incorporate technology to allow patients and family members to control all aspects of the environment. From a tablet mounted on the overbed table, the patient can adjust the window shades, lighting and temperature. A digital footwall allows the patient to play games, watch videos, order meals, and communicate with family members at home.
