Queen Silvia Children’s Hospital

Home away from home

Although the average time of treatment at the hospital is shorter than a few days, some children will spend up to half a year or longer. The challenge was how to meet the high demands on equipment, hygiene and efficiency in a way which does not “look and feel” like a hospital. The architects spent a lot of time with the children and their families to unfold their ideas through dialogue, drawings and play. The results revealed a care environment resembling home – calming materials, soft lighting, access to outdoor play and for teenagers, places to hang with friends as well as space for privacy.

Recovery through play

Healing through play is an important part of the rehabilitation process. Strategically placing a huge play therapy room and climbing sculptures next to the entry signals a safe place for play. Colourful signage, sculpture and playful artwork function as wayfinding and lessens the feeling of intimidation upon entering the hospital building and remains the final impression when leaving.

Designing to maximise daylight is important in Scandinavia. At Queen Silvia Hospital, daylight is captured through the expansive exterior views and patient rooms with low window sill heights. For children who are not well enough to venture outdoors, a temperature-controlled winter garden provides direct access to daylight and lends a feeling of being in the fresh outdoors. Adding warmth and tranquility to the winter-garden are wood panels, which are a common design feature throughout the interior.

A feeling of normality and a daily life is what guides the design of one of the world’s most prominent child and youth hospitals, mixing familiarly environments such as a school, a playground and a home.