Top 10 trends in children’s hospital design and construction

Top 10 Trends in Children’s Hospital Design and Construction 

1. Detailed design of neuro-diverse environments
2. Increased use of efficient, optimized areas
3. Family amenities get a boost
4. A growing children’s hospital market, overall
5. AI on the rise of advanced medical technology
6. Increased size of patient rooms
7. Biophilic elements to support wellbeing
8. A growing behavioral health focus
9. Improvement in refined, sophisticated finishes
10. More respite spaces for providers 

What sets children's hospital design apart from its more traditional counterpart? Care for children is different than it is for adults; "it just is," says one provider. Not only do you have the unique sensitivities that come from children, but considerations must be made for their families and providers as well.

A big push in the children's hospital market this year is maintaining focus on the patients' priorities. The Children’s Hospital Association (CHA) has called upon policymakers to keep children in mind while developing healthcare policies in 2025. CHA outlines making federal investments to address the children’s mental health crisis, protecting and strengthening Medicaid, bolstering federal support for the pediatric workforce, and preventing proposals that would jeopardize children’s access to care.

Many of these proposals align with what AEC firms are integrating into these healthcare spaces today. The mental health crisis among children continues to grow as mental health emergencies and intensive outpatient visits have been rising since 2020, according to Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center. In the Cincinnati region alone, the number of children seeking emergency care for a mental health crisis grew 91% from 2011 to 2017.

Similarly, the integration of neuro-diverse environments in children's hospitals has been put into the "must" column. While not all of the most recent innovations and trends in the healthcare market reflect a focus on mental health awareness, it is a growing consideration among firms who design pediatric spaces.

As far as markets go, the pediatric hospital market is expected to continue rising over the next five years. The children's hospital sub-sector is estimated to generate $49.1 billion in revenue in 2025, according to IBISWorld. The undeniable growth (of which we'll dive deeper into later) has AEC firms dedicated to crafting meaningful, healing environments for children and their families.

BD+C interviewed several AEC experts who have worked on children’s hospitals to determine the biggest trends happening right now. Here are the top 10 trends in the design and construction of today's children’s hospitals.

1. Detailed design of neuro-diverse environments

Across the board, experts agree that incorporating neuro-diverse and inclusive environments is a “must” for children’s hospitals. Universal design principles ensure accessibility for people of all abilities. This can be particularly challenging in pediatric settings that involve a wide range of ages from newborns to teenagers.

Accommodating a diverse population aids in healing and letting patients adapt to the environment of the hospital. Color and texture are very important in creating calming spaces, according to Ali Summerford, NCIDQ, EDAC, LEED AP ID+C, IIDA, RID, Interior Design Director, Oculus Inc.

Considering the sensory needs of both hypersensitive and hyposensitive individuals is of the utmost importance. Connecticut Children's new eight-story clinical tower is designed with “mystical habitats” to take children and families on a journey to wellness, and includes an elevator marked as a “low sensory” car with less visual activity designed to put patients at ease.

Connecticut Children’s also converted a pediatric physical therapy floor into an inpatient med-psych floor for children with behavioral health and medical comorbidities. The program included a calming room with soothing color palettes. Additionally, an “Imagination Garden” connecting the existing hospital to the Tower expansion was designed for palliative care patients and their families, with doors wide enough for a hospital bed to pass and a screened Zen Garden that can be closed off at both entry points.

Firms like DPR Construction have seen an increase in “Whole Child Design:” a modern approach to incorporating whole health spaces that focus on the cognitive, emotional, and physical development of patients. This can include playrooms, teen and family lounges, and indoor gardens.

“Our ultimate goal is to create spaces that support children and their caregivers in coping with the stressors they face, ensuring a healing environment that works for everyone,” says Vince Avallone, AIA, ACHA, Vice President and Medical Planning Leader, SmithGroup.

2. Increased use of efficient, optimized areas

Hospitals are increasingly focused on optimizing efficiency for hospital workers by minimizing the number of steps between care stations and patient rooms. Streamlining workflows is critical due to staff shortages and an aging nursing workforce.

Firms like Oculus aim to design spaces that are flexible and used for more than one function to maximize patient care. Similarly, the new VCU Children's Tower at Children's Hospital of Richmond consolidates pediatric services, bringing together emergency, trauma, and inpatient care into a single location. This consolidation enhances coordination among specialties and supports collaborative teaching environments for healthcare professionals.

3. Family amenities get a boost

As families play a pivotal role in the patient healing process, there is a growing emphasis on amenities and spaces for families. Hospitals are investing in dedicated family respite areas that offer outdoor views, privacy, workspaces, and rest areas, so that they don’t need to leave the hospital while their child is receiving treatment.

Additionally, playrooms and teen lounges for use by patients and siblings help create a sense of normalcy. These amenities provide families with a comfortable and supportive environment, allowing them to stay close to their children while also taking care of their own needs.

“This focus on family-centered care enhances the overall patient and family experience, promoting healing and well-being,” says Channing McLeod, AIA, ACHA, NCARB, Senior Principal and Architect, SmithGroup.

Hannah Rohlfing, IIDA, RID, NCIDQ, Senior Interior Designer, Oculus, asks: When designing patient rooms, how can you enhance the environment of care without compromising a family space?

4. A growing children’s hospital market, overall

Despite the aging population and declining birth rates, the children’s hospital market is growing as the need for specialized pediatric care remains significant. Exacerbated by the rising rates of pediatric asthma, diabetes, and other chronic conditions, the overall trend is “undeniably positive,” says McLeod of SmithGroup.

Part of the growth may be consumer-driven, as families hold higher expectations for quality care and family-centered care. There is also a need to replace outdated facilities and consolidate services to provide more centralized care, according to Summerford. As a result, there has been more emphasis on developing dedicated pediatric care spaces outside of the traditional hospital setting.

Alternatively, many health systems are creating dedicated pediatric spaces within their acute care hospitals to provide specialized care experiences, including separate emergency departments, imaging spaces, and treatment spaces.

“Although we may experience future decline in the pediatric and birth hospitalizations, we expect some offsetting of volumes via increases in clinical complexity and comorbid mental health and health conditions,” says DPR Construction experts.

5. AI on the rise of advanced medical technology

DPR experts Supina Mapon, National Healthcare Strategist; Steve Sheahan, LEED AP, CHC, Northeast Region Healthcare Core Market Leader; and Jason Maxwell, Project Executive; all agree that children's hospitals are incorporating state-of-the-art technology to enhance care and safety.

It’s common for new hospital designs to include electronic health records, telemedicine capabilities, and automated medication dispensing systems to enhance patient care and operational efficiency. Technology is even being integrated into community connections, like interactive artwork and wayfinding.

The VCU Children's Tower includes pediatric-specific operating rooms, imaging suites, and trauma bays equipped with the latest advancements, ensuring optimal medical care and infection control.

However, 2025 gave rise to a new generation—Generation Beta (babies born between 2025 and 2039)—that will grow up immersed in AI. DPR Construction experts believe this generation will become out first AI natives, and that AI-personalized learning, AI-driven medical devices and diagnoses, and AI companions and social interactions will be latent and embedded in children’s hospitals of the future.

In fact, Cincinnati Children's has begun testing supercomputing algorithms to detect mental disorder symptoms early on. Partnering with Oak Ridge National Laboratory in Tennessee, an early version of the AI tool has shown that it can detect signs of clinical anxiety nearly two months earlier than when such children would receive a diagnosis. Cincinnati Children's goal is to use this system to not just reduce but eliminate pediatric suicides in the region by 2033.

6. Increased size of patient rooms

What SmithGroup’s McLeod calls “a notable trend in children’s hospital design” is the increasing size of patient rooms. The updated FGI Guidelines now require larger square footage for spaces providing ECMO in pediatric ICU settings. Hospitals are adopting universally sized rooms that can be easily converted from lower acuity med/surg beds to higher acuity ICU beds with minimal effort, such as changing or removing furniture.

“This approach involves investing in the necessary infrastructure, including headwalls, medical gas outlets, and electrical outlets, to support higher acuity use from the outset,” says McLeod.

7. Biophilic elements to support wellbeing

The integration of sustainable, biophilic design is increasingly sought after in children’s hospital design. This design approach that focuses on patient wellbeing aims to connect patients of all ages to one-another through nature, organic shapes, natural materials, and artwork.

“Biophilic design not only enhances the aesthetic appeal but also promotes a healthier and more productive environment for patients and staff,” says Hsiao Lin Hu, IIDA, Senior Principal and Architect, SmithGroup.

8. A growing behavioral health focus

Traditionally viewed as an issue primarily affecting adults, mental health challenges among children, adolescents, and teens are increasing. Avallone of SmithGroup believes that factors such as increased exposure to injustice, violence, addiction, social media and peer pressure are contributing to this trend. According to Avallone, this escalation has led to a significant increase in emergency department visits and hospitalizations.

A 2023 report by Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center outlines the growing need for providers to focus on behavioral health in their facilities. A Cincinnati Children's initiative dubbed the "Mind Brain Behavior Collaborative" aims to bridge the gaps to care through four pathways:

1. Embed more psychologists inside hospital-run clinics.
2. Reroute crisis care through a Bridge clinic or Intensive Outpatient Programs (IOPs).
3. Creating a virtual training program, Project ECHO, to enhance mental health skills for anyone working with children—from school nurses to general pediatricians and social workers.
4. Improve early detection of mental health disorders via the use of artificial intelligence.

9. Improvement in refined, sophisticated finishes

Some firms like SmithGroup have found that their clients are increasingly requesting designs that feature a more refined finish palette, reflecting the growing recognition that pediatric patients appreciate a sophisticated environment. This shift acknowledges that pediatric patients are not exclusively young children, but also include teenagers and young adults, extending up to 25 years old in long-term pediatric oncology settings.

“By creating spaces that cater to this broader age range, we can ensure that every pediatric patient feels comfortable, valued, and engaged, no matter their age,” says McLeod.

That doesn't mean "remove all the whimsy," however. Phoenix Children’s Hospital has taken an approach to making their space more welcoming by transforming a main hallway with vibrant artwork. Involving children in the process, the hospital and acclaimed artist Shara Hughes created "Wonder and Wander," an interactive mural extending over 1,000 feet. Hughes utilized crayons and watercolors to design imagery that appeals to kids' creative spirit.

10. More respite spaces for providers

While not necessarily a new trend, ensuring the physical and mental safety of healthcare providers is becoming more prevalent because of the aging nursing population and staff shortages, according to Summerford of Oculus.

There is a growing emphasis on creating respite spaces for providers to combat burnout and support mental health. Because real estate is expensive in hospitals, these spaces could be very small, but they are critical to ensure providers have a safe environment to recharge during their long and stressful shifts.