Nowadays, the recurrent themes among children are superheroes (for boys) and princesses (for girls). Hence, the solution I propose to this hospital that “takes play seriously” is the following. First and most importantly, I propose the installation of a smart, interactive, touch-screen display at the average child size. As he or she walks in, the screen calls for attention and asks him or her to input their name and age (information that most children are aware of). This cool, almost imperceptible step is important for two reasons: 1. It leaves a great impression within the first, important 7-10 seconds on both the parents and the child (or children); 2. It optimizes the reception desk’s work, for, at this point, they already have the patient's name and age waiting on a virtual line. Furthermore, this machine can also be adapted to accept insurance plans’ cards, which would make the check-in process even more efficient and also give the child the feeling of an even greater responsibility.
Second, I do propose an elegant, yet interactive décor that pleases both women (or the parents) and the children. It does not entirely need to be children themed. At the reception desk, a chair that can go from the child’s level up to the counter’s level at the push/ pull of a lever/ pedal could be installed. This simple feature is playful, would provide the children with their desired independence, would allow the receptionist to talk to them directly (and being at the same level as the adult is very important), and would facilitate the parent’s work of lifting or holding the child. At the end of the interaction, the family is given a buzzer: a device that alerts the patient of his or her turn by vibrating until it is turned back in to the receptionist. Upon returning it, the receptionist gives the child a key (see below).
Third, the hospital I envision would have small, electric, child size cars, both for boys and girls (I suggest two themes above, but they could vary). The key given by the receptionist (see above) is used to operate these cars. These cars not only maintain the children entertained and give them a feeling of independence, but also function as guides, for they are equipped with a GPS system (the screen is visible to both the parents and the child – Fig. 1) and inbuilt speakers, being able to also communicate with the driver, alerting him or her about what directions to take, what things to avoid, and even asking more questions about their illness as they are going to a specifically designated area, speeding the process up. The voice being transmitted via this system could be the doctor’s, a nurse’s, or somebody else’s. I believe this is a great way to maintain the children interacting with the staff at all times, entertained, and with a feeling of independence and belonging. The cars would only move at a previously determined, safe speed and only function within the hospital. For smaller children, a remote control could be given to the parents, giving the small child the illusion of independence, yet the fun. For the princesses who do not like cars, small motorized toy animals (like the ones used in malls – Fig. 2) could be used instead.
Fourth, as for the waiting time at the reception or wherever else, I propose that, in addition to comfortable couches, swings be installed, for they are fun no matter the age. Also, why not involve pet-therapy in this process, even before medical treatment? I suggest that a small “pet-play-area” be built within the reception or as an entirely different area, where pets may move freely, yet not escape, and interact with children and parents who are waiting for treatment. Additionally, another fun way of getting to specific places or departments within the hospital would involve working together with the architects in order to plan an intricate system of “fun, colorful, tunnel slides,” where each colored slide would end up in a different room, place, area, or department within the hospital. Yet, they would always be located next to each other (Fig. 3). I honestly could not think of a more fun way to navigate within a hospital than what was just described. This solution is not only fun to all patients, but promotes efficiency, continuous interaction, a coordinated process, groundbreaking architecture, and an intuitive way on the patient’s part of finding their destination. In this scenario, an elevator could also take patients up to a secondary reception (the highest point), where they would find the original opening for the tunnel slides, being able to find their way down through the system from the beginning of it, which may also go underground into, perhaps, food courts, a cinema, a play area, a sports area, and even an “amazon-themed relaxing area” with aquariums where one can place his or her head inside, an indoor waterfall, lots of plants, themed jungle music, a few hammocks by the waterfall, the right level of humidity and temperature, etc. (Fig. 4).
