The doors of Texas Children’s Hospital (TCH) Pavilion for Women in Houston were opened to attendees of the Healthcare Design Expo & Conference for a tour on Nov. 12. Leaders shared successes and lessons learned during the design of the $575 million facility operated by the pediatric hospital and opened in March 2012.

Designed by FKP Architects, the 796,000-square-foot, 15-story structure was built with a four-level, 525,000-square-foot subterranean garage as well vertical expansion capacity for up to 10 more floors and shell space.

The project answers the need to fill a missing component in TCH’s service offerings. A neighboring OB/GYN practice was acquired and the health system developed an all-inclusive program for women, with services that now include labor and delivery, diagnostic, outpatient, fetal center, inpatient, surgery, neonatal intensive care, as well as a separate laboratory, and more.

Subdued colors, subtle wayfinding cues using flooring and lighting, and adult-oriented finishes were used to provide a more sophisticated atmosphere. Nurses’ stations are partially enclosed with wood and patterned glass to provide privacy while remaining open enough to be welcoming. Corridors provide daylighting on each end, while staff break areas are located on the corner of the building with floor-to-ceiling glass along the outside walls so that abundant natural light can enter.

Since the pavilion’s open, TCH leaders have continued to expand the facility and make use of the shell space via renovations or the addition of new service lines.

Project summary:
Architect: FKP
Interior design: Inventure Design
Structural/civil engineer: Walter P Moore
MEP engineer: Smith Seckman Reid
Contractor: W.S. Bellows Construction Corp.