Considering Children's Special Needs in the Layout and Scale of Pediatric Hospitals

Abstract

Hospital design for children can mean the difference between a frightening or therapeutic experience. The design challenge of balancing technological requirements and environmental quality is compounded by children's needs. Orienting the child in an alien world requires special consideration throughout, and is influenced not only by physical, psychological and emotional needs, but by advances in medical technology, and changes in family structure and funding sources. Demanding special attention are building scale (both exterior structure and interior design, from vertical dimensions, to furniture size and doorknob height), layout (visual contact with the outside world, both human and environmental), play areas (serving infants, toddlers, school-age children and teenagers), environmental issues (color, texture, light and acoustics), and design issues raised by increased family participation.