The Royal Columbian Hospital redevelopment showcases how interior design can tell a story, transforming the hospital experience into one that feels intuitive, supporting and inspiring. At the heart of the new acute tower is the design concept of Journeys, a narrative framework that guided every aspect of the interiors and resonated deeply with staff, patients, and families.
The Journey Concept: A Foundation for Design
The theme of Journeys reflects the experience of moving through the hospital, with interiors designed to feel less institutional and more human-centered. Inspired by natural elements, the design team established a neutral palette that creates calm, balanced environments while allowing graphic storytelling and moments of colour to come forward. Flooring patterns, lighting features, and portals act as visual cues, creating intuitive wayfinding and easing transitions as patients move from one area to another.
The concourse, for example, carriers a riverbank continuum from the existing Health Care Centre into the new build. A flowing floor design echoes the river’s edge, while the “logs of the river” lighting concept breaks up long corridors, giving rhythm and scale to an otherwise linear space. These elements not only reinforce the Journeys theme but also bring a sense of comfort, familiarity, and orientation to the hospital environment.
A Full-Circle Career Moment in Hospital Design
The project was particularly special for one Parkin team member, who began their career working on the original Columbia Tower at Royal Columbia Hospital 30 years ago. They had the opportunity to lead the design of the new tower, which was both a professional milestone and an opportunity to mentor emerging talent. The connection to the hospital, the community, and continuing a legacy of excellence in hospital design, made this project truly unique.
Design Features that Bring Journeys to Life
Pediatric Healthcare Design: Riverbank Animals
Nowhere is the Journeys theme more playful and immersive than in Pediatrics. The concept of Riverbank Animals transforms the idea of a journey into a child-friendly adventure. Starting at the river’s edge, children encounter illustrated animals—bears, squirrels and more—that guide them through the space. Graphics grow larger and more animated along the way, climbing walls and corner guards to create a sense of movement and discovery. Bright pops of colour, layered onto a cohesive backdrop, establish a space that balances fun and familiarity, an approach that reflects best practices in pediatric healthcare design.
Super-Floors and Intuitive Wayfinding
The new tower also introduced large program floors, or “super-floors.” From an interior design perspective, the challenge was to create environments that were intuitive, navigable, and welcoming despite their scale. Finished were strategically applied to distinguish waiting areas from circulation zones, while transitional moments signaled the entry into sub-departments. The goal was always to de-institutionalize the environment, making it feel softer, warmer, and more connected to the human experience.
Staff Well-Being in Healthcare Design
Recognizing that staff well-being directly influences patient care, the design incorporated lounges that provide respite from the clinical environment. Rather than multiple themes, the client selected one unified concept: a biophilic, nature-inspired design. These staff spaces are brighter, softer, and intentionally different from the high-intensity work areas, offering moments of restoration that support morale and retention.
Collaboration with Indigenous Communities
Inclusive healthcare environments are at the core of Parkin’s work. For Royal Columbian Hospital, engagement with Indigenous communities played a vital role. The team worked closely with Indigenous stakeholders to create a design that was inclusive and reflective of their principles. This collaboration resulted in a theme that resonated deeply with the Indigenous community, making the hospital a more welcoming and comfortable space for all.
A New Standard in Healthcare Design
For Senior Designer, Mary Chernoff, the project was “a more holistic view of the patient’s experience that brings other caregivers and other aspects of life into that journey and not just a segregated, institutional treatment.”
Through its narrative foundation, inclusive engagement, and attention to both patient and staff experience, the Royal Columbian Hospital redevelopment demonstrates the power of interior design to shape healthcare environments. The new tower not only delivers state-of-the-art care but also sets a new benchmark of how storytelling, design, and community can come together to transform healing spaces.