Seashore Pediatrics
Biophilic Design, Acoustics
Location: Madison, CT
Class: Interior Design Studio II
Client Profile:
Design Statement:
Located in Madison, CT, the Seashore Pediatric Office will serve the communiy as a center for support and well-being. The design will focus on biophilic attributes by minimizing the transition between outside and inside, providing children with a calming yet fun space. The site, located right in front of a small pond, landscaped with sea grass and hydrangeas provides occupants with views of nature. The office will function to support an organized workflow and to make patients as comfortable as possible.
Madison is part of the span of shoreline towns that directly face the long island sound. These contain sandy and gravel beaches, rocky peninsulas, and salt marshes. There is an abundance of marine life including fish, crabs, sharks and many more. This area is largely influenced by this coastal climate. Madison has built, their beach club, hotel, country club, racquet club around and on the water. Their many restaurants like “Sea House,” are based off the local seafood and nautical appeal. Hammonasset State Park is a one of the most popular attractions that show these costal characteristics. Many people visit throughout the seasons to go to the beach, walk the trails, visit the nature center and much more. Heavy urbanization of this area is decreasing the amount of forest cover near the coast, most remains more inland. The remaining deciduous forests in this area are a mixture oak-hickory, white pine-red pine forest, pine-oak woodlands or barrens, and many other hardwoods. Inland bodies of water contain amphibians like salamanders, frogs, turtles and insects.
Research
Design Attributes
Sketches & Protypicals
Positive Distractions
Wayfinding
Data analysis shows that the introduction of distraction conditions was associated with more calm behavior and less fine and gross movement, suggesting significant calming effects associated with the distraction conditions. Data also suggest that positive distraction conditions are significant attention grabbers and could be an important contributor to improving the waiting experience for children in hospitals by improving environmental attractiveness.
Wayfinding is navigability which means that the navigator can successfully move in the information space from his present location to a destination, even if the location of the destination is imprecisely known. Three criteria determine the navigability of a space: first, whether the navigator can discover or infer his present location; second, whether a route to the destination can be found; and third, how well the navigator can accumulate wayfinding experience in the space (Foltz, 2014).
Light & Space
Site Analysis
Non Rhythmic Sensory Stimuli
Natural light is shown to lower blood pressure and heart rate (Brown, Barton, Gladwell, 2013; van den Berg, Hartig, & Staats, 2007; Tsunetsugu & Miyazaki, 2005). It also positively impacted attitude and happiness (Barton & Pretty, 2010). It also helps to not disrupt the circadian rhythm (Simpson, 2011).
A periodic, yet brief visual or auditory distraction that causes one to look up (for >20 seconds) and to a distance (of >20 feet) allows for short mental breaks during which the muscles relax and the lenses flatten (Lewis, 2012; Vessel, 2012).
Bubble Diagramming
Inspiration
_edited.jpg)
Design Development
Children's Area Rendering
Reception Desk Rendering
Nurses Station Rendering
Fabric Selections
The design behind the waiting area was to make it look like it was not a boring and dark waiting room. Residential style furniture was chosen to make the area feel more inviting. A custom play nook provides an area of refuge and fun for children.
The exam rooms and hallways feature acoustic ceiling clouds integrated with glisten lights. This integrates non rhythmic sensory stimuli which allows for short mental breaks causing the muscles to relax.
Exam Room Elevation
Nurses Station Elevation
Exam Room Perspective
A periodic, yet brief visual or auditory distraction that causes one to look up (for >20 seconds) and to a distance (of >20 feet) allows for short mental breaks during which the muscles relax and the lenses flatten (Lewis, 2012; Vessel, 2012).
.jpg)
Final Presentation
