Connecting Researchers and Clinicians
Ann & Robert H. Lurie Children’s Hospital of Chicago
Healthcare
ZGF, Solomon Cordwell Buenz, and Anderson Mikos Architects Ltd. Planned and designed the Ann & Robert H. Lurie Children’s Hospital of Chicago. At 23 stories, the building is one of the tallest children’s hospital in the world. In 2004, ZGF assisted in preparing a vision for the future of the hospital, which focused on the current physical environment, an evaluation of existing facilities, a comparison to peer institutions, steps involved in creating a Master Plan, and a timeline for realization and implementation. In 2005, the scope grew to include a review of a potential new building program and assessment of site alternatives. In 2006, design of the new building began.
The Lurie Children’s, a Pebble Project® partner, is located on a 1.8-acre site at the Northwestern University Medical School Campus just north of the downtown business center of Chicago. A key driver for the relocation was to be closer to its academic partner, Feinberg School of Medicine, for a stronger collaboration with researchers and clinicians. The new building, which is connected by bridges to the Prentice Women’s Hospital, integrates inpatient care; diagnostic and treatment space; clinical support; and logistical, medical office, and clinical operations. The initial planning calls for 288 beds in Phase I, including 22 observation beds and eight clinical research beds. It has the capacity to expand to 313 inpatient beds.
Location
Chicago, IL
Square Feet
1,255,000
Completion date
2012
Project Component
Architecture services
Interior design and space planning
Graphic design
Certifications
LEED Gold®
A unique feature of the hospital is the Crown Sky Garden, an interactive indoor garden located on the 11th floor. A linear bamboo grove is framed by a multi-colored light wall that changes color when motion sensors are activated. Colored glass marbles in water runnels meander through the bamboo planters. Reclaimed wood sculptures serve as play elements, as well as benches. They are equipped with interactive speakers that emit sounds of nature. A transparent overlook deck on the 12th floor, called the Tree House, allows patients and their families to view the garden from above.
The building’s design supports a 2nd floor emergency department, 3rd and 4th floor diagnostic and outpatient clinics, along with radiology, operating rooms, psychiatry, and support services on the remaining lower floors of the building. The upper floors house inpatient services. These distinct services are divided by two levels of public and family support spaces on the 11th and 12th, respectively. On the 11th floor, major amenities include an indoor garden, cafeteria, gift shop, and large conference center. The 12th floor houses a chapel, teen lounge, a central playroom, hair salon, and a family sleep center. Color selections for the hospital are based on five palettes—city, park, lake, woods, and prairie—inspired by Chicago and the surrounding regions. The colors and themes also contribute to wayfinding between and throughout the floors of the hospital.
Rady Children’s Hospital San Diego, Intensive Care Unit and Emergency Services Pavilion
