The Task
To transform the lobby of the Specialized Children’s Hospital “Prof. Dr. Ivan Mitev” in Sofia into a functional space that provides a comfortable and healthy environment for both staff and patients. As the lobby is the intersection point of all circulation routes in the hospital and a central distribution area, one of the main challenges was to organize, in the best possible way, the flows of people and the waiting areas within a space of limited size.
The interior project encompasses the complete design of the lobby, two emergency examination rooms, and patient restrooms, including a baby care room. The main requirement from the staff was that the space be well-organized, provide sufficient storage space, room for medical equipment, and be easy to maintain and clean. The patient waiting areas needed to offer adequate seating, along with a designated play area for children.
Our Approach
We achieved zoning not through partitions, but through furniture, materials, and lighting. In the lobby, we addressed the main circulation challenge by positioning the reception desk at the most strategic point for welcoming and directing patients, close to the other circulation routes. This also allowed hospital staff to exercise the most effective control over movement within the space.
We created two patient waiting areas with an optimal number of seats, as well as a children’s play area featuring an installation of colorful pipes. In addition to serving as an attractive, welcoming element, the installation also helps separate the waiting areas from the flow of newly arriving patients.
Part of the task of enhancing the lobby also included renovating the patient restrooms. We added a baby care room, which was part of the hospital’s broader strategy to become a contemporary and comfortable place for parents and their children.
The color palette is restrained, limited to white, calm shades of green, and oak veneer — a combination that balances contemporary minimalism with a sense of warmth and homeliness. Pink accents are used sparingly to highlight characteristic interior elements, both new and existing, subtly enlivening the otherwise calm atmosphere of the lobby. A similar approach is applied in the patient restrooms, continuing the aesthetic of the shared spaces.
The addition of an extra emergency examination room played a key role in relieving the pressure on the single existing room, which had been functioning beyond its capacity. We also considered the needs of the staff, who require a change in sensory experience and atmosphere within the context of their demanding daily routine. The interiors of the examination rooms follow the same principles of minimalism and functionality, but with a different color palette. Here, we used light blue tones, white neutral surfaces, clean lines, and carefully selected details to create a sense of cleanliness and calm.
The Result
A bright and harmonious space in which every element has a clear function and place. The interior relies on thoughtful solutions that make the hospital’s operation more convenient, calmer, and even an enjoyable experience.