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of illness from a child’s perspective, treating the child holistically. The Ryan House design reflects and supports this key objective, said Nabil Abou-Haidar AIA, architect and senior living studio director at Orcutt | Winslow.
“The architectural challenge was to design a state-of-the-art health care facility with a home-like environment. The design had to support the staff’s goal of providing an active and total approach to care, embracing all the physical, emotional, social and spiritual elements. Working with a 3D model in ArchiCAD enabled us to experiment and collaborate with the staff in a variety of designs, tailoring each space to its unique care-giving function,” he said.
For example, the facility will include innovative services – such as art, music, hydrotherapy and pet therapy – for the comfort and enjoyment of children and families. It will also include a sensory room and a fully accessible playground.
GRAPHISOFT donated ArchiCAD software to the building contractor to facilitate collaboration with Orcutt | Winslow architects and accelerate construction using a BIM model.
Family support is another critical objective of Ryan House. Families often care for a seriously ill child 24 hours a day over many years, putting them under enormous emotional, physical and financial strain. Family relationships can suffer, a parent's career may have to be abandoned, brothers and sisters often feel left out, and typical family activities can become impossible.
Family suites will be available for parents or caregivers who wish to stay at Ryan House with their children. A reflection room and memorial garden will offer a comforting place for families, friends and caregivers to spend quiet time.
Ryan House, expected to be completed in February, 2010, will serve as a national model for pediatric palliative care.
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