University Hospitals, in a joint venture with Nationwide Children’s Hospital, engaged Perspectus to renovate the existing second floor of the Horvitz Tower. The goal was to create a Pediatric Cardiothoracic Intensive Care Unit (CTICU) for the Rainbow Babies & Children’s Hospital. The renovated space consists of 12 patient rooms, multiple staff areas and related support spaces. This multi-phased project includes demolition, infrastructure, and interior fit-out while minimally affecting surrounding active hospital areas.
Given the existing building configuration, a cylindrical shape with a complex frame, arranging the layout of patient rooms and establishing the desired adjacencies was a challenge. The design team worked with care staff to develop a plan for the space that fully supports patient care teams and efficiency while also providing the most beneficial healing environment for the patients. The resulting plan provides for two patient care areas, each supported by a large Care Teamwork Area. Strategically placed adjacent support areas minimize staffing distances and easily adapt to fluctuating patient population.
The patient rooms themselves were designed to foster a feeling of comfort and relative normalcy for the patients and their families. Colorful graphics on the footwalls and room doors provide colorful stimulation and visual interest as well as a unique identity to each patient room. Color changing lighting in the ceiling above the bed, controlled by the patient, maximizes comfort and promotes personal expression.
While multicolored motifs are a theme throughout the space, colorful shapes in the flooring act to connect the CTICU with the adjacent Pediatric Step-down Unit and foster mobility in patients by encouraging them to follow the trail and look for specific shapes.
While multicolored motifs are a theme throughout the space, colorful shapes in the flooring act to connect the CTICU with the adjacent Pediatric Step-down Unit and foster mobility in patients by encouraging them to follow the trail and look for specific shapes.