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Patients aged 0–18 come to the Clinical Assessment Day Unit (CADU), for short assessments to inform the hospital’s ongoing research into paediatric food allergies. Children aren’t sick when they come in, and visits are typically uneventful so we wanted to give patients an exciting environment that would stave off boredom and feel fresh with each return.
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At the heart of our design is a joyful spread of painted ceiling tiles, which extend across the ceiling to encompass a Tetris-like array of colours – viewable from any bay thanks to the unit’s unusually high ceilings.
The same colours trickle into each bay, along with bedhead designs on wipeable, infection-control- compliant build materials, featuring illustrations of snow leopards, ibex and little people, who interact playfully.
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All patients are measured at a printed scale on the wall, and to help them keep focused during this process, we integrated artwork featuring characters from the gang, who occupy a range of heights.
For children who are needle-phobic, a separate room allows blood to be taken in private. To help soothe fears, we integrated an eye-catching floor-ceiling height feature artwork, which integrates the gang in various colours, along with an engaging maze-like design.
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“People have said how bright and beautiful it is. Children go around the walls following the images and tracing them. They have used the Evelina colours everywhere which is great. Parents who have come to us before so know what it was like previously say it’s amazing and was worth the wait”
Matron, Allergy Services
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In this project, the humble ceiling tile is elevated into something magnificent and grand. Painting, rather than printing, the ceiling tiles lends them a vibrancy that raises the ambient light levels of the room, and brings overhead joy to patients in otherwise cramped confines.
Painting also brings huge benefits for the project’s longevity: if the Trust wishes to retouch any ceiling tiles, or add in fixtures, this can be done in-house using commercial paints. Additionally, the animals / people illustrations have been manifested in vinyl, which is easily reprinted and applied.
What started off as a challenging brief with a small budget led us to rethink our approach to ceiling tiles, and what they can achieve when painted in concert with other interior / artwork choices.
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This case study is part of the wider “Evelina Clinical Research Facility (CRF)” project. The CRF project features 3 departments incorporating art, interior design, playful journeys, and colour.
See Projects for all Evelina CRF case studies.
The artwork has been supported by Guy’s and St Thomas’ Charity, which helps create a world-class environment for patients, staff and visitors at Guy’s and St Thomas’ NHS Foundation Trust.
Project Information
Date
2020
Sector
Healthcare
Service
Children's: Outpatients Allergies
Client
Guy’s and St Thomas’ NHS Trust
Architect
Artists
Kiriko Kubo
Team
Celia Knox, Sam Carvosso
Awards
EHD Awards
2023
Highly Commended
,
Art & Interiors Award
