The Children's Hospital at Montefiore
Bronx, N.Y.
Rockwell Group

A child's vision of the universe is the rallying point of this innovative design

© Paul Warchol

For more photos click on 'photos & drawings' above. To see the people and products behind this project click on 'people & products.'

This hospital provides fine medical care to the children of the Bronx and southern Westchester County. The architect’s design reflects both the philosophies of "family-centered care" and the teachings of Carl Sagan, stressing our connection to the larger whole of the universe and making the hospital a place where the journey is not only towards healing, but also knowledge.

Throughout the hospital, the child is the centerpiece and driving force behind the design. A "Powers of Ten"–style bridge spanning the lobby sets the tone for the child’s journey, depicting two children at the center of a scaled graphic set of panels which range from the size of DNA up to the diameter of the earth. From a "you are here" showing our location on a jumbo size glass mural of our Milky Way galaxy, to in-scale relationships between our own solar system’s planets as depicted by architectural elements, visitors find themselves immersed in an environment that continually reiterates their place in the universe, both in scale and location.

The concepts of journey and connection are explored on each floor using different themes and depicted through numerous art installations. Local and nationally known artists were hand picked to develop each floor’s pieces around a specific idea geared either to the developmental level or illness treated on that floor. A custom Intranet site and supporting software helps synthesize these ideas with the principles of the hospital and, more importantly, connects a child in bed to a whole world of information and entertainment.

Formal name of Project:
The Children's Hospital at Montefiore

Location:
Bronx, N.Y.

Gross square footage:
155,000 sq. ft.

Owner:
The Children’s Hospital at Montefiore
Bainbridge Avenue
Bronx, NY 10467

Architect:
Rockwell Group
5 Union Square West – 8th Floor
New York, NY 10003
212.463.0334/212.463.0335