a futuristic-looking floating pebble room 

 

‘the pebble’ is a three-story family room inside a children’s hospital in nijmegen, netherlands, that redefines the conventional spaces inside a medical facility. designed by EMG architects in collaboration with interior designers thoben & minten, the structure takes shape as two connected floating bubbles, offering a warm domestic atmosphere, that stimulates the senses of the young patients and their beloved ones. the new ronald mcdonald family room is finished with soft round shapes and vibrant interiors, where sick children and their parents can retreat into a world of peace and privacy. they can enjoy a sense of intimacy and safety, escaping for a while from the rather harsh hospital conditions. 

 

anouar, father of yanis, enjoys visiting the family room. ‘our son has been admitted to nicu because he requires light therapy. the family room helps us forget everything, as weird as that sounds. at the same time, i’m just a few steps away from yanis.’floating pebbles within children's hospital in nijmegen offer a warm domestic atmosphere

all images by scagliola+brakkee

 

 

 

escaping from the hospital environment

 

the pebble by EGM architects (see more here) in collaboration with thoben & minten (see more here) offers a warm and welcoming venue inside the radboudumc amalia children’s hospital. the three-floor family room underlines the family-integrated care offered at the children’s hospital. the entrance is located on the second floor, right next to the nursing wards. the design team formed easy accessibility, giving the opportunity to parents, brothers, and sisters to be nearby, providing a positive effect on the wellbeing and recovery of children.

 

the shape and design of the new family room arouses a sense of wonder and offers a pleasant distraction. the ‘pebble’ consists of three floating levels connected by a spiral staircase. along with the reception area and a private space to pump breast, one can find three cheerful seating areas, a play area, and a kitchen. the family room, therefore, offers a range of settings.

 

‘the look and feel of this design is in perfect sync with the theme of ‘theatre of nature’ at amalia children’s hospital. it’s a combination of openness and privacy. the family room is suspended between two floors like a series of floating pebbles and stands out because of its rounded shape. inside, smooth transitions create cozy spaces full of intimacy and peace,’  said EGM architect daniel van den berg.

floating pebbles within children's hospital in nijmegen offer a warm domestic atmosphere
the pebble aligns with the redeveloped children’s hospital, where everything revolves around family-integrated care

 

 

‘the new family room is a long-cherished dream and replaces the three units in the hospital that had become too cramped. the design stands out from a distance because visitors coming from the main entrance can see the suspended pebbles from outside. this is the most beautiful ronald mcdonald family room in europe,’ mentioned erny boots, manager of the house in nijmegen.

floating pebbles within children's hospital in nijmegen offer a warm domestic atmosphere
visitors arriving from the main entrance can already see the pebbles from outside

floating pebbles within children's hospital in nijmegen offer a warm domestic atmosphere
the shape and layout of the new family room provide a surprising diversion

 

 

floating pebbles within children's hospital in nijmegen offer a warm domestic atmosphere
the pebble is articulated in three layers connected by a spiral staircase

 

 

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inside, flowing transitions create spaces full of intimacy and tranquility
inside, flowing transitions create spaces full of intimacy and tranquility
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project info:

 

name: the ‘pebble’ – ronald mcdonald family room nijmegen
designer: EGM architects

interior design: t & m (thoben & minten)

realized together with: PBB radboudumc, 2doubleyou, aronsohn, peutz, cornelissen, jora vision and engie

location: nijmegen, netherlands 

photography: scagliola+brakkee

video: radboudumc

 

 

designboom has received this project from our ‘DIY submissions‘ feature, where we welcome our readers to submit their own work for publication. see more project submissions from our readers here.

 

edited by: christina petridou | designboom