Family-centered design focuses on family needs of pediatric patients with environments designed to offer a sense of control, according to an article on the Medical Construction & Design website.
Features include clear wayfinding, interactive play areas and patient rooms designed for families which incorporate varied lighting, colors and shapes, natural light and access to exterior gardens.
For instance, the new Kay Jewelers Pavilion located in Akron, Ohio, features an NICU designed to create the feeling of a “tree house” to provide a peaceful theme for the unit.
The first floor simulates a tree house at night, using the color magenta to suggest a campout. The second floor is green, reflecting the feeling of spending a day in the tree tops.