North Pavilion Expansion and Renovation
Driscoll Children’s Hospital is a lifeline for more than 100,000 children each year, serving as the largest and most established pediatric hospital in South Texas. To expand access and elevate care, the hospital introduced the North Pavilion—a bold, vibrant addition designed with children and families in mind. This five-story facility brings color, light, and thoughtful design to the healing experience, making navigation intuitive and the environment uplifting.
At its core is a state-of-the-art Pediatric Intensive Care Unit (PICU), where every detail, from room layout to advanced equipment, is designed for seamless, family-centered care. Adjacent spaces include a dedicated procedure suite, a calming recovery area, and an isolation unit for infectious disease care. Beyond medical excellence, the North Pavilion invites wonder, from its bright, engaging entryway to the colorful “Green Box” play space—turning a hospital visit into an experience that feels welcoming, hopeful, and innovative.
Awards
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1AIA DC Honor Award
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2IIDA Award for Design Excellence
Color and wayfinding
A bold welcome
Color isn’t just decoration; it’s a guide, a mood booster, and a source of wonder for young patients and families.
Driscoll Children’s Hospital envisioned a space where young patients and their families would feel welcomed, comforted, and uplifted. The North Pavilion brings that vision to life with a design centered around color, light, and movement. Ribbons of vibrant hues wind through the public areas, creating intuitive wayfinding while adding a sense of energy and play.
When families step onto the Driscoll Way path, they’re immersed in an environment encouraging exploration and ease. The “Green Box,” a playful, color-saturated landmark, invites children to pause, interact, and feel at home. Rainbow-colored window boxes throughout the pavilion bring daylight inside, reinforcing a positive atmosphere.
PICU and critical care
Built for healing, designed for life
The North Pavilion’s state-of-the-art PICU and expanded critical care services—including 35 Pediatric Cardiac Intensive Care beds, a 60-bed NICU, and a Pediatric Congenital Heart Unit—provide lifesaving treatment for South Texas’ most vulnerable patients. Thoughtful design and leading-edge technology ensure the best care for every child.
“These are the most injured and ill children that need critical care, post-surgery, after open-heart surgeries, brain surgeries or traumatic injuries. Parents are allowed to stay around the clock in a much more comfortable situation with their child throughout their stay in the ICU.”Martha AveryVice President for Development, Driscoll Children's Hospital
Design for well-being
Healing happens in more than just patient rooms—it’s in the spaces where families gather, where staff recharge, and where thoughtful design enhances the entire experience.
Flooded with natural light, the three-story lobby sets a welcoming tone, with warm wood finishes creating a sense of calm. Beyond aesthetics, the North Pavilion is designed for seamless operations: separate corridors keep hospital logistics running efficiently behind the scenes, while caregiver spaces along exterior walls offer restorative views and natural light.
From the PICU to the public spaces, every detail was considered to balance medical innovation with human-centered design—ensuring a hospital that works for everyone who enters its doors.
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