15 Artists Collaborate To Make London Children’s Hospital Cozier For Kids

The sights, sounds and smells of a hospital can make it a terrifying place, especially for children, but it doesn’t have to be that way. Vital Arts, a British arts organization in charge of introducing art to Britain’s hospitals, had 15 artists collaborate to turn the interior of London Royal Children’s Hospital into as fun and colorful a place as a hospital can be.
Despite being limited by the fact that hospital environments need to be easy to clean, the artists were still able to use vinyl, ceramics, wood and even rugs to liven up these hospitals, each approaching the wards they decorated with their own unique style.

Trauma and gastroenterology (Wing 7D) by Morag Myerscough
“The piece has a huge amount of references that had been embedded in my memory for many years and came out all together at one time. So there are elements of circus, organic, art deco, Asian culture, Victorian architecture and the list goes on so a real mash-up that came out of my head onto paper and then onto the walls”


Haematology (Ward 7F) by Donna Wilson
 “One of the most important things for me was to make the hospital not feel like a hospital. I wanted the patients, parents and nurses all to feel relaxed, happy and stimulated by the environment that surrounds them and by using design you can lift the mood and well-being of the people there”

Paediatric Assessment and Short Stay Unit (Ward 7C (B)) by Chris Haughton
“Rather than numbering each room Haughton decided to give each room a different animal character; a lion room, a parrot room and a fish room etc”


Respiratory (Ward 7E) by Miller Goodman, 2014
“Wood is a traditional warm medium that soulfully ages softening with play. It is traditional and always evokes childhood memories of play. We hope that the mix of bright vinyl colours and wooden characters encourages and entertains the child as well as wishes them a speedy recovery”


Elevator Lobbies by Katharine Morling
“Featuring performing rhinos, butterflies and train tracks made from rulers, Collective Memories of the London presents a dream-like version of the everyday world”
Throughout All Wards by Doran
“A seminal moment for me was when a three-year-old girl stopped crying the moment she saw the curtains, pointing excitedly to the hidden cats and rabbits. That’s when I knew my design had worked”

Paediatric Critical Care (Ward 6c) by Tord Boontje