Sponsor: Coaniquem: Santiago, Chile and DesignMatters: Art Center College of Design
Coaniquem is a leading, internationally recognized nonprofit that provides
free long-term treatment to pediatric burn victims across Latin America.
Research
Traveling to Coaniquem, a pediatric burn rehabilitation center in Santiago,
Chile we conducted field research on the challenges faced by families,
patients, professionals and communities responsible for caring for them.
Current state of waiting room
The main focus for me on the project was the waiting room experience. Conaiquem does a great job at creating an environment filled with love and care for families and patients, however there is room for improvement in the waiting room. Noticing that design could lessen anxiety, confusion and boredom for both families and patients.
CHALLENGE
Following the burn event:
- The child and parent share a parallel journey of grief, rejection, self blame, depression, and acceptance
- Parents lose trust in the child and self
- Child lose efficiency and control
EXPERIENCE
- Parents with multiple appointments scheduled can wait between 3 to 8 hours
- To make the wait more bearable, two adults often come: one to supervise their child, one to endure the wait
How can the story and magic extend throughout the waiting room?
Through field testing and utilizing design methodologies, we curated design probes
to test our assumptions in the waiting room to help guide the future design within
the waiting room.
New Spatial Programming (High resource)
New Spatial Programming (Low Resource)
A. Orientation
Insight: Parents are very emotional when first coming to Coaniquem
Solution: Opening up the check in area allows staff to easily connect
B. On Deck Seating
Insight: Staff have a difficult time finding patients and parents
Solution: This space is designated for parents and patients to meet as well as wait when there name is called to allow staff to easily find the patient
C. Calming Play
Insight: Parents, patients and teens want to have their own space
Solution: An inviting private space for teens, parents and patients
D. Greeter
Insight: Parents and patients do not know where to go when entering the waiting room
Solution: They help check in parents and patients and act as a concierge
E. Active Play
Insight: Patients do not know what to expect in their appointment
Solution: A space that introduces patients to physical and occupational therapy tools they will experience in their appointment
Since Coaniquem is a non profit corporation we looked at 2 ways to approach the design. A high resource design and a kit of parts system that addressed key challenges found in the waiting room and solved for these experiences.
B. On Deck Seating
C. Calming Play
D. Greeter
E. Active Play
Spatial elements that were kept the same way:
Furnishings
Flooring
Reception
Want to see more, take a look at the Safe Ninos overview booklet or:
http://www.designmattersatartcenter.org/proj/safe-ninos/
Booklet designed by Leo (documentarian)
Content and Design (Class)
Basecamp design (Rachel Moore, Nicholas Jayanty, and Dave Hansung)
