Interview about PEDIATRIC CLINICS INTERIOR DESIGN , winner of the A' Interior Space, Retail and Exhibition Design Award 2024
The most beautiful place where reality seems completely unreal is a desert oasis. Patients and visitors are immersed into a dream-like environment safe and fascinating at the same time. A fun, creative and distracting space inspired by the desert oasis and mirage. Enchanting tree, sensory walls, peek a boo and mushroom pods are all elements stimulating the kid's curiosity and cognitive development. The floor curves mimic the movement of the wind on the sand dunes. The reflective ceiling blurs the space limits and reinforces the illusion effect; the floating spheres add a touch of poetry.
View detailed images, specifications, and award details on A' Design Award & Competition website.
View Design DetailsMirages are fascinating visual phenomena, typically seen in deserts, where light refracts through layers of air with different temperatures, creating the illusion of water or distant objects. Translating this ethereal effect into a healthcare environment, especially for a pediatric clinic, involved creatively combining the symbolic and sensory elements of a mirage with the functional needs of the space. Mirages often create fluid, shifting forms that can be interpreted as distortions of reality. To replicate this in the clinic, I incorporated sweeping curves and organic shapes in the walls, furniture, and partitions. Soft, flowing forms were used to create a sense of movement and adaptability, mirroring the illusionary nature of a mirage. Mirages are not just optical illusions. They engage the viewer’s senses. The reflective ceiling evokes the shimmering and mirroring effect of a mirage and acts as an interactive element, creating an environment that plays with perception and engages all the senses. By incorporating the shifting nature of mirages through materials, light, and textures, I crafted a space that feels dreamlike yet welcoming, soothing, and dynamic, allowing children to feel both comforted and amazed in their healing journey.
Pediatric healthcare environments are not just about treating physical ailments, but also about supporting emotional well-being, and these playful elements contribute to that goal. Both the enchanted tree and mushroom pods were designed with therapeutic intentions in mind. Inspired by elements of nature that children can easily connect with; while also evoking a sense of magic and playfulness, they are intended to transform the clinical environment into something imaginative and inviting, creating a positive emotional experience. The enchanted tree, for example, serves as a central focal point in waiting areas, offering a sense of serenity and distraction for children who may be anxious. The mushroom pods are playful nooks that children can retreat to, helping reduce stress and fostering imaginative play. In a pediatric healthcare environment, safety is also paramount, so while the design had to be fantastical, it also had to prioritize child safety. I paid close attention to how the enchanted tree and mushroom pods were constructed, ensuring that they met all safety codes and were free from any sharp edges or toxic materials. While the enchanted tree and mushroom pods needed to feel dreamlike, I also ensured that they fit seamlessly into the practical layout of the clinic. Mirroring the natural world and the whimsy of a dream-like environment, I also thought about sensory design when integrating the tree and pods. Both elements were designed to stimulate multiple senses. sight, touch, and sound to create a holistic, immersive experience. I considered incorporating sound design into the pods or tree, such as soft chimes or nature-inspired sounds, that could further enhance the magical atmosphere. These subtle auditory cues could help reduce anxiety and provide a calming influence. Given the wide range of ages seen in a pediatric healthcare setting, I designed both the tree and the pods to appeal to various age groups. For younger children, the mushroom pods offer a cozy, fun space for exploration, while older children might appreciate the enchanted tree as a focal point for games, reading, or simply enjoying the environment.
The decision to incorporate a reflective ceiling into the interior design of Al Moosa Pediatric Clinics was driven by the desire to create a sense of boundless space and an uplifting, calming atmosphere for young patients. In a medical setting, particularly a pediatric one, the environment can play a profound role in a child's emotional and psychological well-being. The reflective ceiling was intended to break down the traditional, enclosed feel of healthcare spaces and replace it with something that feels open, expansive, and even a bit magical. Creating a space that transcends traditional clinical design, turning the environment into one of calm, wonder, and expansiveness. By blurring spatial boundaries, I effectively opened up the room, offering children a sense of freedom, tranquility, and connection to the outside world. The reflective ceiling doesn’t just serve as a passive design feature, it invites engagement and interaction. Children can lie on their backs, gaze upwards, and explore the reflections. This design choice not only alleviates stress and anxiety but also engages young patients’ imaginations, making the clinic feel more like a place of healing and exploration rather than a sterile, intimidating medical environment. The reflective ceiling is a powerful design element that helps create a positive and nurturing experience for children during their time at the clinic. It also maximizes the amount of light in the space, creating a brighter, more welcoming atmosphere. By reflecting both natural and artificial light, the ceiling helps spread brightness more evenly across the room. This makes the space feel lighter and more open, reducing the stark, sterile feeling. Especially when combined with elements that evoke the sky or clouds, it fosters a sense of connection to the natural world. This connection is comforting for children, as it creates a sense of continuity with their everyday lives, outside the clinic's walls.
Material selection was one of the most crucial aspects of the design process, as it needed to meet both the strict healthcare standards of a medical environment and the evocative, poetic desert oasis concept I aimed to create. The goal was to choose materials that would foster a healing, safe, and pleasant environment for children, while still staying true to the dreamlike, nature-inspired themes of the space. I began by thoroughly understanding the medical and functional requirements for the clinic. This involved collaborating with healthcare providers and experts in hospital standards to ensure the materials would comply with health and safety guidelines. Once the healthcare requirements were clear, I turned to the conceptual side of the design, The goal was to transport children into a space that felt like an escape into a serene, dreamlike world inspired by nature’s beauty. The materials I selected had to support this idea while still being functional and safe. The desert itself was the main inspiration for the color palette and texture choices. I opted for warm tones, like sandy beiges, soft terracotta, golden yellows, and muted pinks, which evoke the colors of the desert. To capture the illusion of mirages and the play of light across desert landscapes, I incorporated materials like glass and reflective stretched fabric. For children, the tactile experience of a space is critical. I selected materials with varied textures, smooth polished surfaces alongside textured fabrics and soft, plush finishes. Sustainability was a key consideration in material selection. I aimed to use eco-friendly and renewable materials where possible to align with the desert oasis concept, which celebrates nature and life in arid environments. Given that pediatric spaces often have to accommodate a variety of activities, including waiting, play, and even medical treatments, I selected materials that offered flexibility without sacrificing comfort or safety. Modular furniture pieces were chosen for their ability to be easily moved or adapted to different uses. I opted for high-performance soft flooring like rubber for high-traffic areas. This material is durable, easy to clean, and has a tactile, pleasant feel underfoot, making it ideal for pediatric spaces where children are often playing or moving around.
The inspiration behind the floor patterns was rooted in the natural beauty and movement of the desert landscape. Sand dunes, sculpted by the wind over time, have a fluid, flowing quality that speaks to the idea of transformation, movement, and the passage of time concepts that align with the experience of healing. In the clinic, I wanted the floor to evoke the sense of a peaceful desert environment, where the undulating curves of the sand symbolize the journey toward recovery and the gentle, rhythmic flow of life in a natural landscape. The floor patterns were designed to naturally guide patients and visitors through the clinic. By using curving, wave-like lines, I could subtly create directional paths that lead from one area to another, ensuring a smooth progression from the waiting room to examination areas and treatment zones. These organic curves allowed me to visually break up the space into distinct zones without the use of harsh, rigid boundaries, maintaining the feeling of openness and fluidity. The floor’s organic curves contribute to the playful, whimsical environment, making it more engaging for young patients. The curving pathways invite children to explore, moving through the clinic with a sense of wonder. By mimicking the natural, flowing lines of sand dunes, the design mirrors the way children naturally move playfully, curiously, and often with a sense of adventure. This subtly engages them and encourages them to roam freely in a relaxed, open environment. The use of color played a significant role in reinforcing the organic flow. I chose a gradient of warm, desert-inspired hues subtle creams, sandy beiges, golden browns, and muted oranges. These colors not only mimic the look of dunes under sunlight but also serve a practical function by differentiating pathways and areas without the need for harsh borders.
The sensory walls and peek-a-boo elements are designed to stimulate the senses, encourage curiosity, and promote learning in a fun, engaging way. These interactive features are intended to support various aspects of cognitive development, including sensory processing, problem-solving, and fine motor skills. The sensory walls were thoughtfully created with various textures, colors, and tactile features (e.g., raised patterns, soft fabrics, mirrors, buttons, and knobs). These elements encourage children to explore their environment using multiple senses touch, sight, and even sound. This type of stimulation is essential for sensory development, particularly in younger children, who are still learning to process and respond to sensory input. Many of the interactive features, such as turning knobs, sliding panels, or pressing buttons, require children to use their hands and fingers in specific ways. These actions support the development of fine motor skills, which are critical for tasks like writing, dressing, and self-care. The process of interacting with these elements also fosters hand-eye coordination and spatial awareness. When children engage with the sensory walls or peek-a-boo elements, they are momentarily distracted from the potentially stressful or frightening aspects of the clinic, such as waiting for an appointment or preparing for a procedure. These playful features help shift their focus away from anxiety-inducing thoughts and place it on something enjoyable and safe. This distraction can significantly reduce stress and prevent children from becoming overwhelmed by their surroundings. lay is a natural coping mechanism for children, and incorporating elements that allow for imaginative play can be extremely effective in alleviating anxiety. The peek-a-boo features, in particular, evoke a sense of playfulness, which is crucial for emotional regulation in young children. As they "discover" hidden elements, they experience moments of delight and surprise, which can help them feel more at ease and less intimidated by the unfamiliar medical environment. One of the most powerful ways to reduce anxiety in children is to give them a sense of control over their environment. The sensory walls and interactive features provide children with opportunities to make choices and interact with their surroundings. This sense of autonomy can help reduce feelings of helplessness and fear, which are common in medical settings. In addition to benefiting the individual child, the sensory walls and peek-a-boo elements also promote social interaction, which is crucial for emotional and social development.
The desert landscape provided the foundational inspiration for the overall color palette, with its warm, natural tones serving as a grounding element in the design. These colors are inherently soothing and help to create a calm, serene environment, which is essential in a medical setting where children may feel anxious or apprehensive. While the foundation of the palette was inspired by the natural desert landscape, strategic pops of bright, stimulating colors were added to the design to engage young patients and foster a sense of joy, creativity, and curiosity. These colors were carefully selected to activate different psychological and emotional responses, making the space more dynamic and engaging while supporting developmental and therapeutic goals. The careful selection of colors goes beyond aesthetic appeal it is rooted in the psychological and therapeutic impact that color can have on children in a healthcare setting. Beyond emotional and cognitive benefits, the color choices also had to support the clinic’s overall functional and aesthetic objectives.
The idea for the floating spheres originated from the desire to transform the clinic into an ethereal space one that would feel less like a typical medical environment and more like a nurturing, otherworldly haven. The floating spheres were inspired by the notion of weightlessness and movement, reflecting the elusive, shifting qualities of light and air. This was tied to the overarching desert oasis theme, where elements of nature wind, light, and sky interact in mysterious and magical ways. The floating spheres draw on the imagery of a mirage a vision that seems tangible but remains just out of reach, creating a sense of awe. In this context, the spheres function as metaphorical representations of the child’s imagination and wonder. By introducing an almost otherworldly quality to the space, these spheres help young patients feel as though they have entered a world of possibility and magic, reducing the typical clinical atmosphere of a medical setting. The spheres were conceptualized to gently drift or float in space, creating the illusion that they are suspended by nothing but air. This floating quality invites patients to gaze upward and experience a sense of calm curiosity, sparking a feeling of awe and fascination. Their light, spherical shapes symbolize lightness and freedom, enhancing the dream-like atmosphere without overwhelming the senses. A key goal in the design was to ensure that the floating spheres not only served as visual elements but also interacted with children on a sensory level. The spheres are meant to capture the imagination of young patients, drawing them into a playful, dream-like world. Whether suspended in waiting areas or positioned over play zones, the spheres would invite children to look up in wonder, helping them escape momentarily from the clinical nature of the environment. To achieve the illusion of floating, the spheres are suspended from a discreet and secure suspension system that ensures they remain stable and fixed in place. The suspension cables or wires are concealed within the design, so they don’t detract from the aesthetic impact of the floating spheres. The system is designed with redundancy and safety measures, such as multiple attachment points, to prevent any risk of the spheres becoming dislodged or falling.
One of the core tenets of the design was to incorporate elements that are engaging and imaginative for children, but without veering into overly cartoonish or juvenile aesthetics. The aim was to create a space that feels inviting and comforting to children, but not so whimsical or childlike that it feels out of place in a medical facility, where parents and healthcare professionals also need to feel at ease. While the space is designed to be engaging for children, I avoided overly bright primary colors or exaggerated, playful motifs. Instead, I opted for a color palette inspired by the desert landscape, using warm, earthy tones mixed with pops of stimulating color. These colors are sophisticated, mature, and calming, creating a space that feels welcoming to both children and adults. For example, using soft desert tones sand beige, golden yellow, and soft green avoided the risk of the space feeling too juvenile while still evoking a sense of warmth and comfort. The furniture and design elements such as the dynamic, wind-swept floor patterns and floating spheres were chosen to feel organic and fluid, rather than rigid or overly structured. These natural forms evoke a sense of wonder and playfulness, yet their design is sleek and sophisticated, lending the space a sense of harmony and balance. For example, the floating spheres, inspired by the illusion of mirages, feel magical and captivating, but their minimalist design and subtle integration into the space ensure they don’t overwhelm the environment. The clinic had to be a safe, nurturing space for children without falling into the trap of creating an overly infantilized environment, which might lack the sense of dignity and professionalism that parents and healthcare providers expect.A child-friendly environment should cater to the developmental and emotional needs of young patients. However, it is important to do so in a way that doesn’t treat children as if they are always in need of “babyish” elements. This approach required a focus on creating engaging experiences without overly simplifying the design. Another aspect of creating a child-friendly yet not childish space is incorporating elements that tell a story or evoke a narrative, which can be comforting and engaging for children, but without veering into overly simplistic or literal interpretations. The overarching theme of a desert oasis is rich with symbolism and is woven throughout the space in ways that are both visually engaging and conceptually sophisticated. Rather than using overtly childlike images or obvious representations of deserts and oases, I focused on more abstract interpretations like the flowing, organic curves in the floor patterns or the floating spheres that resemble mirages. These elements engage children's imaginations, encouraging them to form their own interpretations of the space, which allows for more complex storytelling and fosters cognitive development. I wanted to avoid creating a space that felt like a “fantasy land” that might be confusing or inconsistent with the medical environment. Instead, the design uses subtle visual cues such as natural textures, colors, and patterns that align with the theme without overtly imposing it. For example, the tree-like sculptures and organic forms represent growth and life, but they are designed in a minimalist, elegant way that adds wonder without distracting from the primary function of the space. Finally, the clinic had to be a space where both children and their caregivers often parents could feel comfortable and respected. The design had to bridge the gap between child-centered playfulness and adult-centered professionalism, creating a seamless experience for all users.
One of the most important lessons from the Al Moosa Pediatric Clinics project is the power of therapeutic design to enhance a child’s experience in a healthcare environment. The integration of calming natural elements, such as desert-inspired patterns, organic shapes, and soft lighting, helps reduce anxiety and stress, which are often heightened in medical settings. This trend is likely to expand, with more healthcare facilities focusing on emotional wellness as an integral part of the design process. The space exemplifies the shift toward holistic healing in healthcare, where emotional and psychological comfort are just as important as physical treatment. The use of soothing, nature-inspired themes in the design promotes relaxation and emotional recovery, suggesting that future pediatric healthcare environments will increasingly prioritize spaces that nurture mental and emotional health. Al Moosa Pediatric Clinics also demonstrates the importance of building trust and safety through design. For children, the clinical environment can feel intimidating and creating a space that feels welcoming and secure is critical. The space, with its whimsical yet calming elements, such as the floating spheres and desert oasis concept, makes the clinic feel like a refuge rather than a sterile medical facility. The balance between playful elements and professional aesthetics ensures that children can feel comfortable and intrigued, without being overstimulated or overwhelmed by bright, cartoonish visuals. This could set a precedent for future pediatric healthcare spaces, where the design language encourages imagination and exploration, while still maintaining a sense of calmness and control, The concept of the desert oasis, with its emphasis on natural forms and materials, is a clear nod to the growing trend of biophilic design in healthcare. Biophilic design, which integrates natural elements into the built environment, is gaining traction in healthcare spaces, as it has been shown to promote well-being, reduce stress, and improve overall patient outcomes. By incorporating natural materials, organic shapes, and desert-inspired colors, the design not only supports emotional well-being but also emphasizes sustainability. This approach signals a future where pediatric healthcare spaces are designed with environmental consciousness, fostering a connection to nature that can be both calming and grounding for young patients. Pediatric healthcare spaces must be adaptable to changing needs. The dynamic nature of the design at Al Moosa Clinics such as the flexible use of interactive spaces, multifunctional play areas, and adaptable layouts could influence future designs by focusing on flexibility. Pediatric clinics often serve children at different developmental stages and with diverse needs, so spaces that can be easily reconfigured to suit various age groups or medical procedures could become a common feature in future designs. While the Al Moosa Pediatric Clinics project beautifully combines the emotional needs of children with a professional medical aesthetic, it also does so in an inclusive and accessible way. The design ensures that children of all ages, abilities, and backgrounds can experience the space in a way that supports their unique needs. The success of Al Moosa Pediatric Clinics demonstrates the importance of collaboration between designers, healthcare professionals, and child psychologists to create spaces that are truly beneficial for young patients. This model could inspire future projects where designers work closely with medical staff to ensure that the environment is tailored to both the clinical and emotional needs of patients.
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