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Children’s
Hospital of Orange County (CHOC)
By Yvette Alvarado
Fun and playful were key aspects in
designing and achieving a successful children’s hospital in Orange County. The
$558 million children’s tower II project at Children’s Hospital of Orange
County was completed in 2013. The design features include fully equipped
pediatric surgical suites, emergency, laboratory, pathology, and imaging
services. Leading edge technology green design elements and strategically
places areas for work, reflection and play were major factors in the design of
the seven- story facility. Each floor has a different nature theme, as well as
an individual color palette to go along with it. The hospital was committed to
environmental responsibility and for that reason the designers (Inventure
Design) made sure to reflect that in their design and interior space. Some of
the sustainable products include green roofing materials to reduce the
emissions of volatile organic compounds. It provides the long-term
environmental benefits that building owners and managers are seeking for their
high-performance commercial, industrial, and institutional facilities. A green
roof is cool because it has high reflectivity and emissivity values that reduce
the amount of heat transferred into a building. This translates into reduced
energy costs and increased comfort level and productivity for building
occupants. Green roofing was a smart choice in the design of this hospital.
Different concepts were applied to each floor of the building to give it an
earthy feel. The designers created a concept that allowed guest to feel as they
were traveling up towards the earth as they approached upper levels of the
building. Beginning with a beach theme at the bottom and making their way to
outer space towards the top.
http://jtpaint.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/07/ChildrensHospitalofOrangeCounty.jpg
Other products used in the design
of this building include motion sensing lighting, low emitting insulating glass
panels, water efficient landscaping, a water filtration management system, and
an abundant use and optimization of natural light. As you enter the lobby guest
can see the horizontal color bands with color lighting shining through. Mosaic
tiles behind the reception desk create a waterfall effect in that area and
throughout the building. The mosaic tiles give the space a fresh and appealing
look. A lot of the design in this building is meant to give off a soothing and
almost healing affect to its patients, and I think that the mosaic tiles helped
in that sense.
Inventure design image/ motion sense
lighting
A design concept known as way finding was a key element to help guide in the direction of the building.
Inventure design image/ wayfinding
Wayfinding encompasses all of the ways in which people orient themselves in physical space and navigate from place to place. As seen in the image above, the designers portrayed this concept extremely well. Wayfinding, in my opinion, is a successful tool to help children and parents ease their way throughout the space. Insulated glass paneling is double or triple glass window panes separated by a vacuum or other gas filled space to reduce heat transfer across a part of the building. This feature helped the building become environmentally friendly and most importantly cool. In the image below a person can see the insulated glass panels used in the patients rooms. I think that this is a highly effective strategy for commercial building worldwide, especially a hospital due to the fact that it must remain at a low temperature throughout the year to help reduce the spreading of germs. It also helps the hospital save in their electrical bill and is energy saving.
Motion sense lighting was also
incorporated throughout the space to help reduce costs and help promote energy
efficient design. As represented in the image below we can see the motion sense
lighting throughout the space. Tower II also was sure to include and use
abundant natural light by including larger glass window panels and entry ways.
Different wall, flooring and ceiling finishes were incorporated in the design to keep it sustainable and playful for children. Rubber flooring made from tires was used in this playroom as shown below to help minimize impact on children as they play due to the fact that they are prone to accidents. I believe this is a very effective and considerate aspect in the flooring. I would personally expect most hospitals with children’s play rooms to incorporate this in their design.
Overall, I feel as though the new current design and
architecture of this structure was done exceptionally well. Inventure Design
did a beautiful and efficient job to help make a difficult space playful and
soothing to guests and patients.
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