The project comprises the refurbishment and expansion of the existing PICU facility from three bays and three side rooms to eight bays and four side rooms including staff and patient facilities. Gelder and Kitchen have developed the interior design to create a total healing environment for patients and staff by using evidence-based design, integrating a colour scheme for the expansion ward with existing finishes. They have retained blue vinyl flooring and introduced a neutral grey vinyl flooring to create an inset design that unifies the two sides of the ward while giving emphasis to the main circulation routes.
A total of 10 square metre or 28 specially commissioned Bioguard Acoustic mineral tiles in five blue-sky designs ranging from helium and hot air balloons to kites and planes, feature above the beds in the unit at Glenfield Hospital in Leicester. The 290 square metre of bioguard acoustic tiles were painted with a special finish that claims to inhibit the growth of mould, yeast and bacteria and feature acoustic performance to sound absorption Class C, are complemented by 11square metre of Bioguard Plain tiles in the dirty utility area and 45 square metre of Dune Max mineral tiles in the entrance lobby, office, changing areas and staff room.
There are images on walls and ceilings inspired by natural elements such as water and sky. The lack of natural light in some areas is balanced by the use of backlit images and printed Armstrong ceiling tiles. Printed tiles are also used in the bed areas as a positive distraction from the clinical environment and to create a healing environment.
Partition walls are used to maximise speed of construction, minimise noise, and optimise the hospital’s future flexibility. The layout enables the ease of observation from the staff base while the clinical facilities are developed in four phases to enable the facility to remain operational with restrictions in place to minimise noise and dust.
