Selected images from the project
by Stella Corrall
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Project: Waterfall House [Oncology, Rare Diseases and Theatres], Birmingham Children’s Hospital
Commission Brief: Lucentia was commissioned by Birmingham Women’s and Children’s Hospital Charity to design and deliver a ‘Magical Journey’ arts scheme to turn the 4 floors of Waterfall House into a child and young people friendly environment.
Art Scheme Delivery: The Magical Journey Arts Project has been a wonderful journey of delight working closely with patients, YPAG [Young Person's Advisory Group], Think4Brum [Young Person's Mental Health Group] and staff. The journey starts from the street right onto each ward department. Waterfall House now has an identity with its stylised waterfall and colourful pencil wayfinding signage. Spaces have been considered for the patient experience and their hospital journey. Whether for a day case theatre or long-term stem cell treatment each ward has had its specific challenges. Ease of wayfinding and orientation was a critical thing to address, and fun pencil signage has helped people navigate more easily to the right ward. Themes were developed to help give each ward an identity and make spaces less clinical. The varying stages of the project have seen a wide remit covered and allowed a thorough approach for engagement and site-specific designs. The artwork, ranging from printed solutions, bespoke signage and external fabrications, has bought joy and life to the Waterfall House. Areas covered range from the entrance and circulation spaces, stairwells, lift landing foyers, 4 outpatient wards and 2 inpatient wards.
All of the work was steered by in-depth creative engagement with patients on the departments. We used their ideas, drawings and views to make sure our designs were relevant for children of all ages. Where possible we created separate spaces for younger and older children, or for those with sensitivities. We designed activity sheets to go with the designs where patients spent long periods waiting - for example before theatre or while having day case treatment. The external courtyard saw a complete transformation from an under used space to one with artificial grass, colourful canopies and planters. The courtyard is now somewhere special all building users can go to take time out from the ward environment.
