St Jude Family Commons

During my time at ICRAVE, we were fortunate to work on the St Jude Family Commons. The center is concerted to the groundbreaking cancer treatment center for children in Memphis, and provides an invaluable addition to the children and their families during rough times.

This facility is the first-of-its-kind: a 45,000 sqft space that is designated as non-clinical: no doctors, nurses, or reminders that you are in a hospital. ICRAVE sought to reimagine what patients – kids under the age of 18 – parents, families, and caregivers, could experience in this new space.

This project came with a particular set of challenges – to create a warm, cozy, and nurturing environment, we were not able to use typical ‘soft’ elements such as stuffed animals or plush couches. Our team had to incorporate organic lines, playful color palettes, whimsical furniture, and textured patterns that could prioritize infection control. When designing play areas, we had to be extra mindful of heights, knowing that falls could be particularly dangerous for certain patients. Knowing that children often express their fear by hiding, we intentionally created safe spaces, such as nooks in the library, and small alcoves within the trees, for kids to ‘hide’ so they could self-regulate and recharge.

the project took first place at SBID® - Society of British & International Interior Design Award for Best Overall Healthcare & Wellness Design.

Images Credit: ICRAVE