It's for the Kids

Good day all!

If you are recently coming home from spring break, like myself, I hope you've found safe travels and wonderful memories! If you are in the "real world" and spring break was not an option, I hope your week has been filled with wonderful discussions with friends and intriguing new acquaintances with strangers!

As for me, my burnt slash freckled face has seen all degrees of weather, ranging from Midwest highs of 23 to desert highs of 87. I got to spend my lovely spring break in the amazing state of Arizona. What a wonderful place! Granted, I have only been there during spring break and haven't experienced a real Arizona summer, but I like to pretend Arizona is beautiful everyday of the year. 

SKIP IF YOU DO NOT WANT TO READ MY BABBLING!

Lucky for me, I got to drive to Arizona... Now, if you are a map-challenged person like myself, just know that from start to finish, Arizona is about 24 long hours from my hometown. Exhaustion is an understatement after those hours were driven, let me tell you! I am, though, very blessed to be able to be writing this blog post for you guys... On the way home, we found ourselves in the middle of a ja-bung-gous storm. While we were driving a solid 65 mph, the car in front of us hit some black ice. If anyone has been in an accident, then you probably know what I mean when I say everything went into slow motion. The car in front of us swerved, did a 360 in the road, and went into the ditch. Me, being the apparently inexperienced-accident-avoider that I am, did everything wrong to prevent doing the same... slammed on the brakes, turned the wheel every which way, and did a 360 and went into the ditch. How lucky we were that it was in Oklahoma that this happened, which is a state boasting large ditch areas (at least 30 feet) that are basically even with the road. Thankfully (sarcasm alert) I just finished a Venti coffee so my nerves were oh-so calm. Jesus definitely took the wheel on this one! No poles around us, no 50 foot trench nearby, no cars riding my tail, no bridge in sight... what a powerful moment! All in all, everything with us and my car were fine, so we just drove out of the ditch and went on our way. We did, though, go about 40 mph for a solid 3 hours as well as listen to The Message (christian station) on XM radio for the rest of the trip!

SKIP TO HERE IF YOU DON'T WANT TO READ MY BABBLING ABOVE!

So, the point to me saying I went to Arizona is that the design I want to show you is located in the lovely city of Phoenix, Arizona. We drove by it many times and weren't entirely sure what the building was. A few guesses were a sweet hotel, a flashy casino, or some sort of convention center. All were wrong because the building was in fact a Children's Hospital.

I give to you, Phoenix Children's Hospital!

 

Here is what caught my attention while driving by.. what the building looks like at night...

The lights on the top of the building glow and change colors, pretty wicked right? Just wait till we get inside!

Today, Phoenix Children's Hospital is one of the ten largest children's hospitals in the country and provides specialty and sub-specialty inpatient, outpatient, trauma, emergency and urgent care to children and families in Arizona and throughout the Southwest.

Here is a little tidbit from the Phoenix Children's Hospital's website

"With the opening of the new Phoenix Children’s Hospital in June 2011, there’s a new landmark on the Valley skyline. At night, distinctive LED lighting outlines the tower, bringing to mind a night-blooming desert flower. Along the circle drive that leads to Thomas Garage West, 64 queen palms lend the plaza a resort atmosphere. The Hospital’s name and distinctive hand print logo has been installed over the main entrance. Each letter weighs more than 100 pounds."

When doing a hospitality project for school, I found in my research that it was often hard to draw the perfect line between creating a sophisticated hospital for adults and a fun hospital for children. With this design, compliments of HKS inc., both parties are meshed together perfectly with the interactive lights and technology throughout the entire building.

Let's take a look at the beautiful lobby...

If you're like me, there is so much to feast your eyes on that it's almost overwhelming!

The Main Building lobby consists of a large, three-story atrium that welcomes patients, families and visitors with sweeping vistas and stunning views of the mountains. Natural light plays off reflective surfaces in this gateway to the services of Phoenix Children’s Hospital. Lighting features in the floor magically change color as you walk through the lobby. Overhead, a suspended sculpture shimmers, mimicking the effect of falling water. Blue-green tiles surrounding the elevators add to the oasis environment.

Tile surround in lobby area

Some seating options amongst the design

Every part of this hospital seems to give off an awesome design vibe... here are just a few corridors that branch off of the lobby.

An awesome feature of this design is that it can easily be altered by simply changing the color of the LED lights that are throughout the entire space. Notice that all the walls that aren't covered in marvelous tile patterns are white, giving the hospital a perfect canvas for the varying colors of the LED lights throughout

Here is just one example of what you will find immediately after you step off the elevator. Each floor features a special sculpture, which assists in way finding, as well as a different LED color then the floors above and below it. Color, art and images of desert flora and fauna theme each floor. Whimsical art is designed to make the Hospital less frightening, while interactive pieces will keep active children occupied in waiting areas.

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Here are just a few more pictures of the newly renovated cafeteria, waiting area, and 3rd floor outdoor patio area.

Cafeteria

Waiting Area

3rd Floor Patio

Not only is this an awesome design, but what better way is there to apply such an interactive and fun environment then to a children's hospital? The Phoenix Children's Hospital has done a spectacular job at creating a positive light (pun anyone) in a dreary situation. I know many families have found this as a blessing in their times of struggle, whether they consciously know this or not. This hospital is just another example of how design can have such a positive impact on people's lives. This, my friends, it what makes it all worth it for me.

If you want to learn a little more, check out the hospitals website here! >>http://www.phoenixchildrens.com/<<

Well, there you have it, another awesome design to leave you thinking about for the next few minutes/hours/days of your life. I hope it inspires you the way it has inspired me!

Tell everyone you care about that you love them today, and once you've done that, do it again 5 times over! We don't know the Lord's plans so we best love passionately till our days are up!

God bless you all!

- T