Healthcare design for a new children’s hospital in Riga

The expansion and reorganisation of the Children’s Clinical University Hospital (BKUS), Latvia’s largest specialised paediatric facility, was completed in 2024. While respecting the existing structure, the new development introduced a 265-metre-long façade and emphasised the separation between the pavilions, with the aim of making the entire complex more welcoming and functional.

The outpatient area is distributed across three floors, while the emergency department and reception occupy a single level, consistent with the scale of the surrounding buildings.

“Surrounded by pine forest and coastal woodland, the facility offers a rare combination of healthcare spaces and beautiful natural scenery,” says Martiņš Ošāns, founding partner of the practice. “The outpatient areas are housed in a large glass pavilion so they feel like a single, open space that is easy and comfortable for patients and visitors to use.”

At the entrance to the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) stands a large sculpture of Doctor Stork, while another – Doctor Deer – greets visitors to the reception, outpatient clinic and diagnostics block. “These large, colourful sculptures by Kārlis Alainis help visitors find their bearings and reduce the psychological and emotional stress young patients may experience during treatment,” Ošāns adds.

Special care went into the choice of finishes to guarantee durability, ease of cleaning and aesthetic quality. For the flooring, the design team selected tiles from Gardenia Orchidea’s Origini collection in Crux White, an 80×80 cm size and an R11 non-slip finish. The collection covers a total surface area of 820 m² and combines excellent performance in high-traffic environments with a bright, welcoming look that reflects the contemporary, functional character of the new pavilions.

The interior design creates light-filled, accessible spaces with clear circulation routes and constant visual connections to the surrounding landscape. The stone-effect porcelain stoneware floors in Origini Crux White reinforce this atmosphere, offering a sober, harmonious image that echoes the pine trees and sand dunes of the park.

“Functionality and well-being were the guiding principles behind this project, which brought together a multidisciplinary team and the work of an artist,” concludes Ošāns. “The quality of our surroundings, especially when we are unwell, plays a vital role in treatment. This is all the more important when most of the patients in the hospital are children.”