Children’s healthcare requires a unique balance of compassion, innovation and functionality. More than simply treating illness, pediatric facilities must create spaces that comfort children, empower families and support healthy futures. At Wold, we believe thoughtful design has the power to positively influence every stage of a child’s healthcare journey, from the first appointment to long-term wellness.
Hospital stays can be overwhelming for children and their families. Designing with families in mind means creating spaces that are not only functional but also restorative and nurturing. Flexible patient rooms that include zones for rest, work and play can reduce stress and promote healing. Designing clear circulation paths also minimizes disruption, helping families and staff move comfortably within the space.
Features such as in-room showers, comfortable sleeping arrangements and workstations with reliable Wi-Fi allow parents to remain present while still managing daily responsibilities. Some facilities are also incorporating respite rooms or hotel-style accommodations, ensuring families have the space they need to recharge while remaining close to their child’s side. Our work on community clinics and critical access hospitals has shown how even small details, such as flexible family zones and integrated respite areas, can dramatically improve comfort for caregivers during long stays.
Technology continues to transform the way children receive care. From telemedicine to holographic imaging, advancements are expanding access and improving precision. Virtual visits enable families to stay connected with their providers, while smart devices and hospital-wide connectivity facilitate real-time monitoring and communication. Interactive tools, gaming systems and apps can also reduce isolation, keeping children engaged with friends, classmates and learning opportunities during extended hospital stays.
Looking ahead, robotics and artificial intelligence will play an even larger role in supporting caregivers and enhancing efficiency, from automated delivery systems that free up staff time to AI-powered diagnostics that improve accuracy and speed of treatment. For designers, this means creating adaptable spaces with robust infrastructure, from flexible floorplates to distributed antenna systems, that can accommodate rapid technological change, ensuring pediatric facilities remain resilient, responsive and ready to serve children well into the future.
Children’s health is deeply tied to their schools and the communities in which they live. Increasingly, schools are becoming hubs for preventive care and wellness. On-site clinics provide convenient access for students, staff and families, helping reduce emergency visits and allowing earlier intervention for physical and behavioral health needs.
By bringing healthcare closer to where children learn, communities can build stronger, more integrated systems of support. With decades of experience designing education facilities, Wold understands how integrating health services into schools can strengthen both student well-being and community connection. These partnerships also create opportunities for students to explore healthcare careers and advocate for their peers.
Mental health is a critical component of pediatric care, and the built environment plays a powerful role in supporting it. Drawing on Wold’s behavioral health expertise, we know that subtle design strategies, from calming colors and natural imagery to flexible furniture and access to daylight, can help reduce anxiety and give children a greater sense of control during their care journey.
Equally important is balancing dignity with safety. Anti-ligature fixtures, discreet monitoring and thoughtful sightlines create secure environments without feeling institutional. Drawing on our experience designing behavioral health facilities such as the Dakota County Crisis and Recovery Center, we’ve seen how daylight, calming imagery and flexible spaces support healing for patients of all ages. By blending these lessons into pediatric settings, we design spaces that foster trust, encourage resilience and promote healing for children and their families.
With childhood obesity and related conditions on the rise, pediatric facilities have an important role to play in prevention as well as treatment. Spaces like wellness centers, therapy pools and outdoor areas encourage children to stay active and support overall well-being. At the same time, abundant daylight and views of nature can inspire movement, reduce stress and encourage a healthy connection with the outdoors.
Teaching kitchens and multipurpose spaces can also provide families with hands-on lessons in nutrition and healthy habits. When these wellness elements are integrated into the design rather than added on, they become part of the daily rhythm of care, helping families build long-term lifestyle changes that extend far beyond a hospital or clinic visit. In our education and government projects, we’ve created multipurpose kitchens, gyms and outdoor spaces that could easily be adapted to support pediatric wellness and prevention programs.
Healing environments don’t need to feel sterile. For children, especially, moments of joy and discovery can play a powerful role in recovery, easing anxiety and encouraging a more positive outlook on their care experience.
Interactive play zones, scavenger hunts and colorful design features help reduce fear and make hospitals feel more welcoming. Additionally, elements like outdoor gardens, water features or digital storytelling walls create opportunities for wonder. These moments of delight are carefully integrated into the design so that materials remain durable and safe, ensuring playfulness never compromises performance. By balancing fun with functionality, we create spaces that support imagination while still meeting the needs of caregivers and staff.
The future of pediatric healthcare will be defined by environments that put children and families at the center. By blending comfort, technology, community connection and delight, we can design facilities that not only heal, but also inspire hope.
We are committed to working alongside healthcare providers, educators and communities to create spaces that support the health and well-being of our youngest patients – because every child deserves a strong foundation for a healthy future.
