For their North Austin Campus, Texas Children’s Hospital wanted a clear, thoughtful design to ease the healthcare experience for patients and families. They reached out to our team to help.
We worked closely with Texas Children’s Hospital to develop a Central Texas landscapes motif for the campus. Inspired by Texas Hill Country, the design blends limestone exteriors, themed floors, and local artwork to create a welcoming, restorative environment.
Each level reflects a distinct Hill County topographical environment, from “Caverns” on the lowest level to “Texas Sky” at the top. We tied these environments to specific identifiers—an activity or landmark, animal, and plant life of the area—expressing them through color, texture, form, light, and graphics. Flooring designs reinforce this concept, with dark tones defining the field, while medium and accent colors shape pathways and destinations. A mix of carpet textures adds visual depth, echoing the surrounding landscape.
In close collaboration with our contracting partners, we prioritized low-emitting and healthy materials without compromising health standards. Active wayfinding, access to nature, biophilic-informed interiors, and local produce purchasing policies all contribute toward a meaningful connection to place.
Completed in less than four years, this four-building campus embodies efficiency, innovation, and sustainability. Prioritizing environmental responsibility, the hospital earned an Austin Energy Green Building (AEGB) 3-star certification, integrating rainwater recycling and energy-efficient systems.
Serving the growing population of the 10th largest city in the US, the North Austin Campus includes a NICU, PICU, operating rooms, epilepsy monitoring, a sleep center, emergency center, diagnostic imaging, and acute care. It also has a fetal center for advanced fetal interventions and surgery with a special high-risk delivery unit.
With future expansion embedded in the master plan, the campus is positioned to evolve alongside Central Texas’s growing healthcare needs.
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