PEDIATRIC ONCOLOGY & HEMATOLOGY

The main issue that arises in the inpatient care setting for children is the lack of consideration of a child’s need within the design. Hospitals in smaller cities such as Albany lack resources compared to hospitals in Boston or New York City. The well-being of a patient is often a second thought in the design of many hospitals and facilities due to functional efficiency, marketing, limited resources, and code restrictions. Specifically, in the design of pediatric cancer units, the main focus is on the physical well-being of a child.​​​​​​​

ABOUT
Research conducted by the American Cancer Society found that after accidents, cancer is the second leading cause of death in children ages 1 to 14.  About 15,590 children are diagnosed with cancer each year. 90% of those 15,590 children diagnosed with cancer in the United States will receive treatment at a cancer facility. Pediatric oncology and hematology treat patients from the ages of 0-20. The treatment schedule for cancer consists of 1-2 weeks of receiving treatment in inpatient care and then returning in 3 weeks to continue treatment rounds. This schedule is very disruptive to the day to day lives of children. The diagnosis of cancer does not only affect the child but also their family members. Though this is an emotional time for parents, they have to be a significant support system in their children’s lives. Research supports an urgent need to change the way we build, maintain, and work in hospitals to promote rest and healing while preventing stress and infection
CONCEPT
THE "NEIGHBORHOOD"
The idea of a neighborhood is to create a community within the unit to encourage social interaction that will help nurture the mental well-being while the physical is being treated. The encouragement of social communication between patients can be very vital to their healing process. Patients will be able to relate to one another and even feel a sense of normalcy.

1. Family 
2. Friends 
3. School 
4. Play
PEDIATRIC ONCOLOGY & HEMATOLOGY FLOOR PLAN
This floor plan promotes a sense of community. It is allowing for multiple settings for relaxation, play, learning, and communication. 
To maintain a stable support system for patients, accommodations such as the Ronald McDonald House extension have been made in the plan to allow family members to stay longer within the hospital with their relatives. 
Up to 40 patients can be treated within this unit, also accommodating outpatient children.  
WAITING AREA 
Interactive walls are equipped on either side of the reception. The children can draw a character or pick out of a list of pre-drawn characters. These characters can travel to individual patient rooms where the children can interact further.
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HALLWAY 
The patient room allows the child to have some control. A whiteboard enables the patient to draw anything their minds can imagine. Also, while in the room, the child can play with different light settings to change colors to their liking. The circle details on the floor can also change color upon the child’s selection. Displayed on the back right wall is an interactive picture frame. This can be customized to any pictures, artworks, or videos. The characters from the reception can appear on this screen, and the child will be able to further interact with the drawing.  

KID PLAY ROOM
TEEN HANG OUT
RETURN TO INTERIOR DESIGN
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