Children's Minnesota in the News
The Midwest Fetal Care Center (MWFCC) in Minneapolis and The Mother Baby Center in St. Paul, both collaborations between Children’s Minnesota and Allina Health, have been recognized for interior design by Minnesota Physician. Both spaces were featured in the magazine’s Health Care Architecture and Design Honor Roll 2020. The award honors outstanding achievement in the design of new health care facilities.
“We are so proud of this honor. The goal of the clinic design was to enhance patient experience and support close collaboration between specialists at Allina Health and Children’s Minnesota,” said Dr. Saul Snowise, medical director of the MWFCC. “The space has supported collaboration and our patient-centered care approach by allowing patients to stay in one location and have the clinical specialists come to them.”
The MWFCC was designed to reflect the clinic’s family-centered care model. Minnesota Physician noted the “tall ceilings, carefully crafted soffit and wall details, soothing and artful graphics, and creative lighting design create a sense of calm and provide positive distraction for families.” Glass walls around a large teaming room at the core of the clinic allow for privacy while encouraging transparency and collaboration. The clinic includes a state-of-the-art conference room where specialists can communicate live with operating room teams, as well as with fetal care experts from around the world.
The Mother Baby Center at United Hospital was designed for families, featuring large private rooms for mother and baby. Minnesota Physician pointed out the “center offers the comforts of home, 5-star hotel amenities, positive distractions and state-of-the-art care.” Four design elements can be seen in all three Mother Baby Center facilities: iconic-exterior, super-graphics, sculptural-ribbons and lighting. The magazine focused on the St. Paul location and pointed out how the flowering trees on the walls deliver art through architecture.
Design firm HDR was the architect/interior designer for both projects.
“The footprint, the façade and the interior design of a space not only define functionality but make an enduring statement about the culture, values and mission of the organization,” said Julie Robertson, interior design director at HDR. “Children’s Minnesota and Allina Health deliver exceptional care and it was important that the design of the Mother Baby Center reflect that quality. These spaces create a refreshing and extraordinary experience for patients through art and architecture.”
11 projects are featured in the Health Care Architecture and Design Honor Roll 2020. The full list and descriptions can be found on the Minnesota Physician website.