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Healthcare Highlight – Improving the Waiting Room Experience

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Akron Children's Hospital brought world class care to Boston Heights in 2019, serving families from Akron to Cleveland.  The Boston Heights Health Center is thoughtfully designed with top of the line equipment, and the waiting areas are no exception.

The last thing you want when taking your child to the doctor is an unpleasant or uninteresting waiting space.  You may already be anxious about an appointment, and looking after children who become fussy with lack of entertainment or exciting views to explore. With accommodating features and design elements, a waiting space can create a calming environment for everyone.

“A space that elicits a calm and soothing energy helps reduce patient and visitor anxiety. Positive distractions, especially colors and images of nature, tend to help enhance the experience.” (Spacesinc.com)

The Health Center is surrounded by large windows letting in natural light, and the second floor waiting space includes a signature ACH design – a circular focal point window and 3 smaller windows overlooking the lobby, parking lot, and nature beyond. The colors are calming, with earth tones and joyful photography.

“Elements of seating and spacing are also fundamental characteristics of a quality waiting room. It’s important to provide areas where families can sit together and talk, but also have chairs and couches for people who prefer a more private setting.” (Spacesinc.com)

Children can sit at small tables with butterfly shaped chairs.  Parents or guardians can sit nearby on spacious couches with tables to set down purses, iPads or diaper bags.

“Your waiting room is the first chance to tell patients we care about you,” says Michelle Granelli, a principal at San Francisco design firm Urban Chalet.” (Patientpop.com)

When constructing a healthcare facility, SCC’s ultimate goal is to empower physicians and clinical staff to continue their work in a high functioning and accommodating space.  

Our team is thrilled to collaborate with architects who envision and prioritize human interaction with a space while it is still only a concept on paper. 

Akron Children’s Hospital Boston Heights Health Center was designed by Hasenstab Architects

Summit Construction served as CMR.