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  • 2021 Architectural Excellence DESIGN & COTE AWARDS Gallery
  • UPMC Children's Harrisburg
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    The centralized “park playground” tree canopy and playful custom millwork highlight the space and emphasize the play area. Organic curves and forms of the millwork create a playful setting for arts and crafts or STEM activities. The sink provides a fun and interactive way for kids of all ages, sizes, and mobility to encourage handwashing.

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    The interactive light wall, which reacts to both motion and touch, is one of many interactive play elements within the space and provides a positive distraction for all ages, as well as a visually pleasing art piece even when not in use. The bright colors and bold, abstract shapes create a whimsical and engaging environment.

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    The patient transfer corridors provide river views from the bench niches along the custom murals while natural light floods the corridor and the play space to create a bright and optimistic space.

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    The patient room design includes a playful yet calming color palate and spacious family area. The cool blue and green tones provide a relaxing environment while maintaining a playful aesthetic. All patient rooms within the unit are universal, providing the flexibility to offer a variety of levels of care depending on the patient’s needs. Each room also has a large family area to allow them to stay by their child and feel a little more at home, further providing the much-needed family support and aiding in the healing process.

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    The tree bench within the teen area provides a playful sense of privacy. The tree shaped millwork, and decorative glazing provide a level of privacy without compromising sight lines. The blue window benches provide another semi-private rest area for patients or families to curl up and read a book, or just take a break from the play area activity.

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    The toddler area with an interactive play element and peek-a-boo windows allows for play while encouraging curiosity and exploration. The peek-a-boo portal windows and low wall height maintain the open feel of the space and allow the little ones to peek out to see their surroundings.

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    Patient transfer corridors feature custom murals and expansive natural daylight and views. A custom wall graphic wraps the corridor into the unit and provides a positive distraction during transfer. Bold colors and the abstract nature forms reinforce the “park playground” concept throughout the play area.

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    The main unit’s nurse station anchoring the central support core. Additional decentralized nurse stations are provided between each patient room for a higher level of care. The ceiling elements define the

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    Quiet spaces allow for calm and reflection. The interior of the “tree house” cubby with the fiber optic lighting lets kids climb in and hangout while they enjoy the twinkling lights. The cubby provides a sensory space that offers a quiet moment from the activity of the play space while incorporating play and interactive elements as well.

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The 20,000 SF renovation created a new Pediatrics Unit at UPMC Harrisburg Hospital, bringing the nationally recognized care of UPMC Children’s Hospital of Pittsburgh to central Pennsylvania. The existing space was a vacant patient unit with outdated finishes and inefficient patient room design. Working closely with the client, the team worked to understand the goals and concerns, and implemented the vision through a park playground design concept. The team included a patient experience consultant to develop playful interactive design elements ranging from environmental wall graphics to interactive play components.

The project consists of 11 new private rooms, each designed as universal rooms to accommodate ICU level of care as needed. With the goal of providing higher-quality outcomes and better patient and family experience, this unit eliminates multiple patient transfers and allows for flexibility in the variety and level of care. Each patient room has a dedicated decentralized nurse station, with the shared clinical support spaces centrally located at the core of the unit, equidistant to all patient rooms. Two main care team touchdown areas anchor the ends of central support core to provide collaborative workspace. In addition to the clinical support, staff support amenities are provided outside of the clinical area to allow for privacy and separation, while maintaining convenience and workflow.

In addition to clinical and support spaces, this unit’s dedicated play and activity area creates a positive distraction for both patients and families, as well as aids in the healing process and catalyzes socialization between families. The play area incorporates spaces for all age groups (toddler to young adult) including space for the parents in the adjacent family lounge.

UPMC Children's Harrisburg

Category

2021 Architectural Excellence DESIGN AWARDS > Interior Architecture

Description

FIRM
Stantec Architecture and Engineering LLC

LOCAL AIA CHAPTER
AIA Philadelphia

PROJECT LOCATION
Harrisburg, Pennsylvania

IMAGE CREDITS
Jeffrey Totaro Architectural Photographer

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