BAYHEALTH
Milford, DE
Venue
Bayhealth Hospital Sussex Campus
LOCATION
Milford, DE
THE GOALS
Bayhealth and the Cannon Design team collaborated with Chicago Art Source to develop a comprehensive art program for their Delaware hospital campus. The program was created with evidence based design as the guiding principle, whereby art in healthcare environments is evaluated for its impact on patients and caregivers.
We sought to curate a highly positive, memorable experience through art that makes a lasting impression, accelerates the healing process and fosters a sense of assurance, advocacy, empathy and confidence.
THE STORY
Our design inspiration for curating the program was based on dramatically communicating the feeling within the built interior environment and focusing on a “Waters Edge” concept. We looked to bring in pieces that would communicate the calming and fluid feel of water, the shore, sand, dunes and riparian forests. The use of blue was a prominent color accent to reinforce the branding palette of Bayhelalth and provide a further connection to water.
A connection to nature is important to the extent that the building design focuses on the views outside. The subject matter may be locally familiar but the art speaks to it in a fresh and unique way that may not have been visible within the landscape before.
the RESULTS
The results are a program that delivers on a specific concept with literal and abstracted art from nature through originals, photography, limited-edition and open edition prints.
We selected artists that considered nature in a fresh and unexpected way. For instance, the chemical make-up of water interpreted in an abstract painting. Or, the use of texture, pattern and color to evoke natural forms and an organic process representing the flow of water with organic regularities. In all cases, a critical analysis of nature along with technology was used to create art that inspires and provides a sense of calm.
The art also reinforced way-finding throughout the building path of travel and became a focal point in areas of rest. A combination of active, quiet and reflective art acts as a positive distraction for patients, visitors and staff.