Santosh Children’s Hospital, Indirapuram, Ghaziabad

Santosh Children’s Hospital is a sensitively and thoughtfully curated adaptive reuse project that is designed to connect with its young users. The project aims to resuscitate a dilapidated clinic and the existing built form into a configuration that is engaging, responsive and altruistic, whilst creating an environment that promotes the well-being of children and their caregivers. 

The building intends to connect with children through its architecture and design. By understanding the cognitive framework of children, the architects tapped in on what they know. Children between the age of three and fourteen either begin to develop or have completely developed familiarity with basic shapes, nature and trees, and colours. The design aims to enhance the wellbeing of young patients through inclusion of both functional and visual elements that are designed from an anthropometric and cognitive perspective for children under fourteen years. 

As a result of this understanding and a careful macro-level analysis of the existing street elevation and morphology, the exterior of the building emulates the organic form of a tree. The organic mutation and segmentation of the facade breaks away from the linear, horizontal contextual language of the adjacent buildings.  Located in a mixed-use neighbourhood with a predominant white and grey colour palette with dints of red and blue, the hospital building emerges as a striking green manifestation of an urban sapling. The design brief demonstrates a need for establishing a strong brand statement through the design and architecture of the hospital; and the distinct, green exterior augments the facility with a brand identity. 

The entrance lobby on the ground floor includes a waiting area that overlooks a play area for children and the pharmacy and out-patient exam room.  The first floor houses the counselling and imaging departments, while other operative and intensive care units are located on the second and third floors. The play area adjacent to the therapy room on the terrace floor is designed considering children’s needs. The design instils a sense of wellbeing in all the end-users through its use of form, texture and colours, and augments a seamless delivery through slick medical planning. 

An adult patient ward in a hospital generally follows the conventional clinical, linear notion. Stepping into the shoes of a young patient, engaging interiors are planned at all levels by incorporating vibrant colours, forms and organic movement patterns. Families and caregivers are crucial partners in a child’s healing journey. Therefore, patient rooms and wards, though fairly lean in their square footage, incorporate a family couch to keep loved ones close. The clear and distinct signage located throughout the facility serves functions beyond wayfinding, promoting interaction with its youngest patients through enhanced legibility. 

Children perceive spaces differently than adults and are more sensitive to the environments around them. Santosh Children’s Hospital intends to provide a healing environment that engages with its young patients through the colours, textures and shapes. The design augments the hospital ensuring patient and staff safety, satisfaction and well-being.