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Nemours Children's Hospital, Stanley Beaman & Sears | International Design Awards Winners
Nemours Children's Hospital, Stanley Beaman & Sears | International Design Awards Winners

Nemours Children's Hospital

CompanyStanley Beaman & Sears
Lead Designers
ClientBetsy Beaman
Prize(s)Honorable Mention
Entry Description


The alignment of outpatient and inpatient care on each level
of a single building, according to each specialty, resulted in
the shape and form of the building. For child patients,
anxiety of a hospital admission is allayed by prior familiarity
with caregivers and the close presence of family members.
For family members, comforting amenities and spaces
where siblings can play allow uninterrupted attentiveness to
the patient. For clinicians, there is seamless cross-training
from outpatient and inpatient care that enables a consistent
team for visits and inpatient stays, encouraging familiarity
and trust between them and the patient and family.

The building is highly integrated with its site. Outdoor
spaces for relaxation and active play include landscaped
rooftop terraces, interactive water features, a discovery
garden and an outdoor community stage for live
performances. Patient rooms feature colorful, changeable
LED lights and can be seen by airport visitors. Service
functions, located in the basement, ensure they do not
intersect the paths of patients and families. The hospital’s
24-hour visiting policy led to design strategies, including
patient rooms with overnight accommodations for parents,
laundry, and concierge desk in the lobby of each patient
floor. Lounges and playrooms give access to outdoor
spaces for respite and active recreation.

The 60-acre greenfield site has little vegetation and high
water table. In response, a curving ramp raises the entry
drive one level, allowing the daylight basement to
accommodate service functions. This curving gesture
continues through and out the back of the building where it
slowly returns to grade. Rainwater drains from rooftops and
site into bioswales and retention ponds. Extensive solar
studies maximized shaded outdoor spaces and determined
the design and placement of shading devices that block
direct sunlight, admitting natural light to the interior. This
project is on track for LEED Gold certification.