New Children’s Hospital

Opened in September 2018, the award-winning New Children’s Hospital in Helsinki was developed putting the needs of its users first. It is the leading pediatric treatment centre in Finland, the majority of its patients are young children, for whom a visit to the hospital can be a scary and difficult time.

The New Children’s Hospital was conceived with a new approach to healthcare: a hospital is not just a facility where medical treatments and procedures are carried out, but also a healing environment. Facilities and services are designed to make life easier for patients and their families, and include playful elements that will stimulate children, fostering a positive mood, and taking their thoughts away from illness.

The project was developed in collaboration with hospital staff: care personnel, hospital management and also hospital engineers and architects.

Together we found solutions that both met the medical needs and respected the children and their families.

From building layout to interior design, everything was thought with young patients in mind. A brightly-coloured facade, nature-inspired artwork etched into the floors and walls, and an interactive virtual aquarium that brings fish the children draw to life.

Each floor of the building is themed as a natural environment inspired by Finnish children’s favourite, the Moomins. Walls, floors and lifts are decorated with quotes and illustrations from Moomin stories, offering a comforting familiarity and stimulating little patients’ imaginations.

Play is the work of children, and it supports healing.

For this project, Tarkett delivered 33 000 m² of floor and wall coverings along with 118 pieces of unique Moomin-themed Floorcraft designs. Beyond the customised designs, bringing to life the design concept thanks to its Floorcraft technology, Tarkett also provided products adapted to the demanding requirements of a hospital environment: heavy traffic, hygiene standards, high chemical resistance…

Photos: © Moomin Characters™