Our Lady of the Lake Children's Hospital released new details about the inspiration behind a first-of-its-kind interior design style for the future freestanding children’s hospital campus.
"As Louisiana’s Children’s Hospital, we want everyone who walks through our doors to see a little piece of their home," said K. Scott Wester, president and CEO of Our Lady of the Lake. "Our Louisiana roots run deep and we wanted to build a special place where you receive not only state-of-the-art healthcare, but also feel at home."
Each floor depicts a different ecosystem of Louisiana, complete with a color story and animal ambassadors to guide patients with wayfinding icons. Each region, color palette, and animal were specifically thought through and designed to illustrate the diverse and rich heritage of Louisiana.
“From the plains and piney woods to our bayous and wetlands, each region is represented and the animal icons will not only guide families, but also offer a whimsical and child-friendly atmosphere,” said Shaun Kemmerly, MD, chief medical officer of Our Lady of the Lake Children's Hospital. “This piece of the hospital design is the icing on the cake. We are not only building a statewide network of medical care, but we are building a structure that speaks to our home state and celebrates all that this state is and will be.”
This design with many references to nature also serves as a tribute to St. Francis of Assisi, a nod to Our Lady of the Lake's founding order, the Franciscan Missionaries of Our Lady. St. Francis is known for his love of nature and creation, especially animals.
This unique interior theme was created through a collaboration between HKS Architects who brought forth the ecosystem concept, and Our Lady of the Lake team members who designed and conceptualized the animal ambassadors. Examples include a pelican, an alligator, a beaver, a crab, a black bear, and a roseate spoonbill. Our Lady of the Lake Children’s Hospital will bring these wayfinding icons to life as cartoon brand characters to serve as friends and ambassadors for our patients and team members.
The new Our Lady of the Lake Children's Hospital is expected to open in fall of 2019. To follow construction updates, view footage from a live web cam, see hospital renderings, and learn more about the project, visit letsbuildamazing.com.