Perkins Eastman was tasked with the renovation of the Mount Sinai Pediatric Cardiac Intensive Care Unit in New York City, New York.

Mount Sinai was the first medical center in the greater New York area to have a unit dedicated to pediatric cardiac critical care, and for more than 30 years, has treated children who are critically ill with heart conditions or are recovering from cardiac surgery. These patients are now being cared for in a state-of-the-art Pediatric Cardiac Intensive Care Unit (PCICU) designed by Perkins Eastman.

The PCICU was created through full demolition and reconstruction of 5,000 sf while an existing unit on the same floor remained operational. Spatial constraints in the early 1900s building—including floor-to-floor heights and existing infrastructure necessary for floors above and below that also remained operational—posed the biggest design challenge.

Described by staff as “a stunning transformation,” the new PCICU meets project objectives to create a state-of-the-art CICU where patients and families could heal in, supported by a soothing and whimsical environment.

The renovation created spacious, high-tech, private patient rooms, each with a dedicated nursing substation, separate zones for patient, family, and the care team, and direct access to a handicapped-accessible patient toilet. The playful design theme takes inspiration from the project’s location along New York City’s Central Park and evidence-based design concepts of biophilic design and circadian lighting. Light-filled patient rooms also include positive distractions and features that help give patients and caregivers a sense of control, which aids in the recovery process.

Throughout, the design team incorporated feedback from families, staff, and Child Life specialists to create a welcoming, comfortable, functional environment for these high-acuity patients and their families.

Architect: Perkins Eastman
Design Team: Maureen Carley-Vallejo, Alexa Donaphin, Ahmad Yousufi, Horacio Repetto, Kien Hua, Chelsea Dimpflmaier
Photography: Chris Cooper