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At the heart of this design is play. We wanted our work to encourage exploration and interaction. For the UCLH Children & Young People’s Emergency Department the emphasis is on creating a fun, engaging space that allows children to explore, interact, and feel at ease.
We commissioned acclaimed children’s author, designer and illustrator, Chris Haughton (photographed below) to collaborate with us.
Haughton’s animals greet you at every turn: they sit behind the reception desk, perch on signage, and quietly keep patients and families company, sitting alongside them as they wait.
Doorways and furniture are framed with columns of colour. The department feels like you’re stepping into the pages of one of Haughton’s books.
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Warren the blue tit was named by the clinicians to serves as a friendly mascot, guiding patients through the department.
He sits under each information slice, in every treatment room, and each waiting room.
The department's signage also features QR codes allowing the information to be accessed in multiple languages. This ensures London’s diverse communities are catered for.
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We designed rounded tables at two different heights cater for wheelchair users and non wheelchair users alike. The varied levels invite children to play.
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The children’s wait is vibrant, filled with bursts of colour and character that captivates without overwhelming.
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The young people’s wait has a more grown-up feel. The animal characters are absent, but the design continues the theme of the rest of the department. Lounge style seating provides comfort and flexibility, allowing for a relaxed atmosphere suited to older patients.
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The design process faced unique challenges. Materials had been chosen to invite touch and interaction, but the onset of COVID-19, impacted everything from furniture selection to material choices.
We evolved our designs to meet these new demands, taking a proactive approach to whatever the pandemic threw our way.
The result is a place where art, play, and care come together to create a comforting, engaging environment that enhances the patient experience.
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The artwork has been supported by UCLH charity. Charitable donations enhance patient care for children and young people at UCLH, above and beyond what the NHS can provide. The play table was donated by Art in Site to the Children and Young People's Emergency Department.
Project Information
Date
2024
Sector
Healthcare
Service
Children's: Emergency Department
Client
University College London Hospitals NHS Trust
Architect
Artists
Chris Haughton
Team
Celia Knox
Awards
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