Southampton University Hospitals NHS Trust
Project location
Child Health Directorate
Aims and outcomes
The project team wanted to create a more welcoming environment in the entrance to the ward. The aim was to create a non-clinical, child-friendly, multi-purpose entrance area featuring space for relaxation, visual artworks and creative lighting.
More than 100 local primary school children were asked for their views on what would make a child-friendly environment. From this consultation, a naturalistic design theme based on the sea, forest and the planets emerged.
Grass, pebbles and water all feature in the flooring design, while the walls are curved to reflect waves and lighting in the ceiling depicts the stars. Cartoons and other images can be projected onto the walls and children are able to press panels to hear the sound of waves and other seaside noises.
