ANITA LOUISE DESIGN
Anita Justins
Ronald McDonald Family Rooms, Randwick Children's Hospital
2019
Software and skills:
Revit
Enscape
Photoshop
SketchUp
The brief was to design a two or three bedroom apartment for Ronald McDonald Family Rooms which could be placed close to a palliative care ward in any Children's Hospital. The design was submitted for the Eussen Interior Design Awards Competition in 2019.
"A Space for all the Family" Ronald McDonald Family Room is a three bedroom, two and a half bathroom apartment with a sleeping zone and a living zone. There are two entrances to the apartment. One directly into the Living Zone from the right and the second from the left to the Sleeping Zone, allowing staying guests the opportunity to arrive discretely if they need personal space.
The design is inspired by the concept of nourishment. Nourishment for the mind, body and soul. The fully equipped galley kitchen delineates the centre of the apartment with the adjacent laundry containing two large washing machines, two dryers and a sink. The ability to cook a meal in the kitchen provides an opportunity to share meals with other guests and is integral to this design. By integrating these three elements into the design, carers and familes alike benefit throughout their stay
My design concept was nourishment: for the mind, body and soul through sleep, food and shared company through shared experience.
My initial design entry incorporated a dual zoned apartment with three bedrooms consisting of a relaxing sleeping zone and a welcoming living zone. The apartment had two separate entries: one discretely entering into the sleeping zone and the other entering directly into the living zone to cater for the different needs of the guests using the Family Rooms.
Features such as zip beds to allow guests to reconfigure the sleeping space; bedheads with adjustable shelving and lighting; two separate guest bathrooms (one completely wheelchair accessible) for overnight guests and a powder room for day visitors; a separate place for siblings to find reprieve from their sibling's sickbed.
In 2022 undertaking a documentation project I modified the floor plan to fit within the confines of the Randwick Children's Hospital template. This redesign meant the zoned apartment was reconfigured due to spatial restrictions. The entry locations were retained; however, only two bedrooms were included. The communal dining table and the quiet zone designed for teenagers or breast-feeding mothers were also retained.
In addition to these spaces, a complete bathroom and powder room were included as well as multiple configurations of comfortable seating; a children's play zone with a focus away from digital play for under 8's and an internal laundry with two washing machines and dryers.
Contemporary materials suited to healthcare were selected with a carefully considered palette to promote a positive outlook, a warm and comforting respite from patient ward and a calming and soothing ambience.