View from the nurses station into treatment room

Shinrin

Background

MRU Thesis Project

Project Type: Healthcare

Each student is assigned Calgary’s Historic Fire Hall No. 1 to explore any type of project/topic they would be most passionate about.

Learning Outcomes

Healthcare Design

Biophilic Design
Sketchup Extensions:
- FredoSpline
- BezierSpline
- Curviloft
Enscape Material Editor

Concept

Shinrin-Yoku

Translation: Forest (Shinrin) Bathing (Yoku)

Shinrin-yoku is a Japanese practice recognized by the World Health Organization that promotes spending time in nature to improve your overall health. Benefits of this practice include; lower anxiety, boosted immune system, reduction of high blood pressure, and accelerated recovery from illness. I wanted the spatial experience to be reminiscent of walking along a forest path so the question quickly became “How can I incorporate biophilic elements into a space that, due to disease prevention and control, no longer allows you to bring in flowers to your loved ones?”

Presentation

Final thesis presentation with professor critiques.

April 12, 2023

Main Level

An atrium wall encases a forest display with carefully concealed animal figures sprinkled throughout, creating an immersive life-sized version of the beloved game "i-spy" that captivates the young patients on either side. This enchanting forest serves as a gentle guide, leading patients toward their destinations in the exam rooms or treatment area. The greenery mirrors the familiar flora of North America, offering a comforting and recognizable environment for children who call this region home.

Adjacent to the exam rooms, a restroom provides a discreet pass to the wet lab, facilitating seamless sample collection for analysis.

The pharmacy prepares medications not only for the treatment rooms and inpatient units upstairs but also for public distribution. Given the immunocompromised nature of the patients within the facility, there is no public access from the pharmacy into the main building. A pass is strategically positioned within the pharmacy, providing convenient access directly into the medication preparation area/nurses' station, simplifying the transportation of medications within the facility.

Laundry Chute

Elevator

Food Dumbwaiter

1 Toxic &

1 Non-Toxic Medication Dumbwaiter

Isometric Diagram

Cytotoxic drugs are prepared in a pressure-controlled environment and then transported to the Medication Preparation room, located on either the first or second floor of the facility. Medications intended for the main floor Med. Prep. area is conveniently passed to the nurses through a designated wall opening, while those intended for the second floor are carefully transported via one of the two medical dumbwaiters, each designated for toxic or non-toxic drugs.

Additionally, the food dumbwaiter serves the purpose of facilitating the smooth transfer of meals and dishes between the main and second levels.

Treatment Room

The treatment area is separated into several zones;

The Toddler Zone provides an environment for children to discover and enhance their motor skills with interactive wall-mounted play panels. Light tables serve as a valuable educational tool, allowing young minds to grasp the concept of color interaction and its effects.
The gaming cave is equipped with various gaming systems, offering children the opportunity to enjoy both multi-player and single-player games on three TV screens provided.
The Art Tree features a unique whiteboard table, specifically designed for children to unleash their creativity. The tree is equipped with convenient holes to store whiteboard markers, making it easy for young artists to dive into their imaginative drawings right on the table.
The Reading Nook, a cozy alcove nestled beside the nurse's station, provides a peaceful sanctuary for patients experiencing mild anxiety, offering them a serene space to unwind and find solace amid their concerns.
Flooring patterns throughout the space replicate the flow of a river and a gravel path, offering a unique visual and tactile experience that inspires creativity and fosters imaginative play among visitors.
All millwork is positioned 6 inches A.F.F. to provide ample clearance for IV wheels to smoothly slide under, ensuring that the IV pole can be conveniently placed beside the patients without causing any obstructions.

Quiet reading area located beside the nurses station

Gaming cave peaks into glass atrium. Laminated laser-cut panels are backlit, casting a dancing leaf pattern on the floor below.

Section 1

Section 2

Mez. Level

Located on the Mezzanine level, The Treehouse is a pre-exam/pre-treatment area dedicated to easing children into their appointments through medical play. This form of play involves the use of real or toy medical equipment, allowing children to familiarize themselves with the tools used during their appointments. Play is a crucial aspect of childhood, facilitating exploration, interaction, and understanding. Moreover, play in healthcare settings supports children's development, normalizes the environment, and effectively diminishes anxiety levels.

Accessible via elevator or stairs, both designed to spark a child's excitement, the Treehouse features an elevator resembling a tree trunk and stairs spiraling around it, with each landing resembling a leaf on a branch. The first landing offers a peek into a forest atrium, inviting children to engage in a playful "I-spy" game.

The Treehouse

Various seating options empower children to choose where they feel most comfortable, providing a sense of control in uncertain situations. Additionally, a floormat integrated into the design creates a safe retreat space for children experiencing high anxiety. Furthermore, the Treehouse offers a view into the treatment area, granting children a glimpse of the chemotherapy process, and promoting a sense of security.

View from elevator into the treehouse entrance.

View from corner of treehouse- looking onto entrance

Second Level

Upon entry of the second floor, visitors are welcomed by "the hygiene tree," a designated spot encouraging handwashing before interacting with patients. The small in-patient facility is designed to accommodate up to 4 children, including 1 toddler. Privacy is upheld through the atrium wall along the patient rooms, offering both seclusion and visibility from the nurse’s station. For added privacy, curtains can be drawn. Each room is equipped with separate workstations for parents and children.

The staff lounge is well-equipped with lockers for personal items, a kitchenette, and a cozy seating area. A secluded "flop" sofa behind curtains provides a spot for staff needing a break during their shifts.

Additionally, there are 2 meeting rooms separated by a movable partition wall, allowing for flexibility in accommodating various sizes of staff gatherings.

In-Patient Room

Each child has a unique constellation to gaze up at while lying in bed. Displayed above is the Big Dipper room. Each room features a complementary landscape, mirroring the creature’s (from the constellation) native surroundings. All constellations were specifically selected for their representation of North American animals, easily recognizable by children. The stars are arranged using adjustable pot lights, outlining the constellation points.

Each child is provided with a cozy Nature Nook within their room, offering a private sanctuary for relaxation or catching up on homework.

Lighting Plans

Main Level

Second Level

Backlit Leaf Panels

Wooden laser cut panels are laminated as per Disease Prevention & Control measures.

Legend

Glamox SkyPanel

Glamox SkyPanels can be equipped with a tunable white solution that simulates natural light.. The panels can be manually dimmed or automatically controlled. Installed within T-bar ceiling.

Cloud Feature Lights

Plastic light fixtures that resemble clouds floating in the sky

CoeLux

CoeLux also uses the latest LED technology to create the full spectrum of sunlight, as well as a sophisticated optical system to mimic the distance between sun and sky.

Building Context

Calgary Fire Hall No. 1 was built in 1911 to replace the city's first Fire Headquarters from 1887.

The two-storey building stands on six lots in downtown Calgary, surrounded by high-rise office buildings. The front facade, featuring five bay doors and a pedimented metal cornice, faces the corner diagonally. The exterior is primarily brick with sandstone accents. The roof is encircled by a brick parapet, while a metal cornice embellishes the top level. A square tower in the northeast corner showcases a reconstruction of the original copper-covered cupola.

Most recently the building was utilized as a budget car rental office.

Site Context

Surrounding Amenities

Sun Path