Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta (Children’s) Arthur M. Blank Hospital—located on the North Druid Hills campus—helps Georgia’s only freestanding pediatric healthcare system continue to provide care for children today and for generations to follow. This 19-story, 2 million-square-foot facility transcends the notion of being merely a structure—it represents a significant stride in the continuous pursuit of delivering state-of-the-art, cutting-edge care, improving outcomes to meet the healthcare challenges of tomorrow.

The new hospital is designed to be a pediatric healing environment that embraces the therapeutic benefits of nature. Situated on 70 acres, including more than 20 acres of green space, the full Children’s campus includes miles of walking trails and provides calming views from patient rooms. Nestled in a park-like setting, the 446-bed pediatric hospital and its attached South Tower (housing outpatient clinics and administrative functions) are strategically positioned to optimize natural light and panoramic views, allow patients to use campus gardens and incorporate views of Atlanta’s Downtown, Midtown, and Buckhead areas along views of the city’s beautiful tree canopy.

Featured highlights of this thoughtfully designed facility:

  • Four hundred forty-six (446) patient beds.
  • A Good Manufacturing Practice (GMP) Lab dedicated to support cell and gene therapies;
  • Larger, brighter, private rooms so parents and caretakers can comfortably stay with their children during challenging times;
    Convenient family amenities on every floor, including washers and dryers, family lounges and kitchenettes, with child life activity rooms throughout the hospital;
  • Two dedicated floors for cardiovascular services that include three cardiovascular operating rooms, two hybrid operating rooms, cardiac catheterization labs, and MRI/non-invasive cardiology imaging services;
  • Nineteen operating rooms (for non-cardiac surgeries);
  • Autonomous mobile robots (AMRs) that will assist staff by delivering materials, medication and supplies throughout the hospital;
  • A 20-inch pneumatic tube system that will transport trash and recycling directly to the hospital’s loading dock;
  • More than 20 acres of greenspace, providing patients easy access to nature and serene views from their hospital rooms;
  • Conference and simulation space for training fellows and helping keep clinicians current with best practices;
  • Additional amenities in the lobby, including an eatery, a gift shop, a coffee bar, and a family resource library for families.
  • Energy efficiency and sustainability incorporated at every turn—the entire project is on track to achieve Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) certification.

ESa, as Architect-of-Record and Interior Designer, partnered with architectural firm Page Southland Page (formerly EYP / AE, Inc) as Associate Architect for Design. The ESa team collaborated on and completed all facets of the project design associated with the building’s exterior core and shell, Diagnostic and Treatment platform (levels 0-4) and led the design effort for the interior design of all spaces throughout the hospital. ESa coordinated and managed design development through all phases of the project, including: concept validation, schematic design, design development, construction documents, and construction administration.

Photos: ©Jeremiah Hull