Emily's House on Hermann Dr.

Abstract

Emily's House is an outpatient day healthcare facility and hospice house for children with long-term illnesses. It provides a safe space for children and their families to learn and grieve, to come to terms with their illnesses without being defined by them. By focusing on the patient, the family, the staff, and the community, I designed a facility that promotes mental health and emphasizes the power of play. The facility also houses an on-site hospice unit for six patients and their families. I aimed to challenge traditional architecture for health by exploring play therapy, positive distraction, and innovative architecture.