EGM wins selection children’s hospital

New child-friendly environment for Beatrix Children's Hospital Groningen

EGM architects has been selected to renovate Beatrix Children’s Hospital in Groningen. The two-part commission consists of drawing up a so-called ‘visual quality plan’ for the entire hospital and renovating the nursing departments. The jury included a delegation from the Advisory Council for Children at Beatrix Children’s Hospital.

Trusted, unique and academic

The visual quality plan for the renovated Beatrix Children’s Hospital echoes the core values of the University Medical Centre Groningen (UMCG). A familiar environment that offers space for uniqueness and with the quality appropriate to an academic centre. Beatrix Children’s Hospital provides top-level care to children of all ages.

Design vision

Everything at Beatrix Children’s Hospital is geared to providing children with a safe and familiar environment in which the quality of care is optimal. This is achieved with the new layout for the nursing departments. These integrate family-centred care and contain as many single-patient rooms as possible. Children of all ages find a temporary home here, where there is room for the whole family. Moreover, there is space to play, develop, interact, rest, and even feel sad.

Child-friendly and well-organized children’s hospital 

The starting point for the design vision is to create a child-friendly world that is not childish. Visitors also feel welcome here and find their way around easily. Care professionals are proud of the character of the department, can perform their work effectively in a pleasant setting, and feel connected to the UMCG.

 

EGM partner and lead architect Willemineke Hammer: “UMCG features a layered composition with streets, roads and squares. EGM’s vision is to connect these to interior avenues for work and play within the departments, and create natural transitions to the hospital areas. Together with our clients and various users, we are working to create a friendly, lively and well-organized children’s hospital.”

 

The design phase started in May 2017.