We know it's a bit odd to write about the medical community on a home inspired blog, but if you or a loved one has ever had to spend an extended amount of time in a hospital you would know how much your bed and room become your life. If you have never had the experience we definitely hope it stays that way. But if you do, the design community has started to pay attention to some details that may not make you better, but when you're ill every little bit of happiness counts. If it comes in the form of something pretty or functional than hurray! We've seen three designers in the past couple of weeks who have given great consideration to the heath field that we thought was of note.
Angela Adams is announcing a set of cubical curtains this week with her partnership with Architex in their Rx division. The bright, happy curtains can be used as sliding dividers, draperies and bedspreads and hold up to the demanding requirements of hospitals. Available in "Breezy" in her famous motif [other colors available] and also a pretty floral as well.
The Zieken+Huis IV tricycle for children by Jetske Verdonk is such just great design in motion. For those who are so little to understand what illness is, and just really want to play, this gives them some assemblance of normalcy.
And lastly, Donna Karan has gotten involved on a broader scale by hosting a forum next week called the Urban Zen Initiative's Well-Being Forum. Her first piece of design will be of course the famously bad hospital wear. Ultimately, she hopes to create centers for patient advocacy and alternative medicines that were spurred by her own experiences when her husband and business partner Stephan Weiss was diagnosed with lung cancer. He didn't beat his battle with the disease, but alternatives such as yoga helped him feel more comfortable. Karan believes that every family should have the opportunities for alternative as well as traditional medicines available to them.
We hope that your hospital room never becomes your bedroom, but if it does know that the design community is getting involved and it may just make your stay a little more pleasant and hopefully a lot shorter.
I work for a health system that has a hospital located in Vancouver, Wash. When Legacy Salmon Creek was built just two years ago, the hospital was outfitted from top to bottom with incredible modern details. From the gigantic artichoke lamp above the grand staircase to the Aalto chairs in the chapel and the Maharam fabrics throughout, it is quite literally just as beautiful as any five-star hotel.
I'm anxiously awaiting the day when all the lobby furniture (including Platner coffee tables) needs replacing and employees can buy it at bargain rates!
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Thanks for posting this, the arch. firm I am with specializes in health care facilities; I will pass this around!
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I have a strong interest in this area of design and in universal design and home modification. Nice to see this featured. : )
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