The Site Built on a site donated by the University of the Witwatersrand, the building is located in Parktown, Johannesburg, which is a heritage precinct. Through consultation with local heritage and community associations, it was agreed that the height of the hospital building would be limited and the green tree-lined character of the suburb would be maintained in order to respect the surrounding context. Piers along the perimeter fence also acknowledge the property lines of the original houses that were demolished when the land was originally expropriated.
The Design The design broke away from housing all departments in a single‘ box’ building, which often leads to deep floorplates where the patients and staff have little contact with the outside world. After extensive consultation, it was clear that long, institutional and windowless corridors should be avoided in favour of a plan that connected to its natural surroundings.
The design concept revolved around creating six wings, each with its own specialism. These were connected by a‘ street’ that ran through the centre of the project. This‘ street’ was vital for connectivity, with three main junctions that enable efficient flow of people. The separation of floors avoided cross-overs and assisted wayfinding.
By breaking down the mass of the building into six elements, the design has a domestic, human scale that is reassuring and familiar to children. Further moving away from a feeling of institutional
design, each wing has subtle twists of the common design language to give it a distinct identity; for example, the colour of the solar shading walls- formed from horizontal rails- changes for each department, picking up on vibrant, local colours.
This composition increased the length of the perimeter of the building and created shallow floorplates. This meant more natural light could flood into the building, placing many treatment spaces next to windows, making the most of the views out over the surrounding landscape as well into the internal courtyards created in between the hospitals wings.
The wards are positioned on the first floor of the wings to maximise views, whilst more heavily serviced, critical care facilities are located in more private spaces on the lower levels.
Design details focusing on the needs of the user include the following:
• Patient bathrooms designed and fitted out for the comfort of a child.
• Colour coding of spaces within the various zones of the hospital
• A friendly, welcoming and less‘ sterile’ environment was designed to reduce anxiety
• Warm and bright colours were used to lift the patients spirits
• Coding and signage is playful and descriptive, which allows for easier navigation
• The entire campus is universally accessible
• LUX levels for the hospital environment are achieved without the standard‘ white light’ hue
• The exterior gardens allow for patients to enjoy nature and produce a calming effect
Nelson Mandela Children ' s Hospital 41