NICU Prototype

from Design 10 Architecture Studio with Prof. Chris Harnish and Prof. Chitsanzo Lamba-Isaac
As planning occurs relative to the expansion of neonatal intensive care units in Malawi, architectural solutions can play a crucial role in strengthening the quality of care able to be provided to patients. Care in Malawi occurs across the primary, secondary, and tertiary levels of the healthcare system, and the implementation of a prototype design for these tiers has the potential to create meaningful, long-lasting impacts across the country. This design proposal is for a prototype NICU at the district hospital level, where the most deliveries occur and the potential for impact is greatest.

​In collaboration with the Malawi Ministry of Health (MOH) and Newborn Essential Solutions and Technologies (NEST 360), this project seeks to improve patient care in the NICU by responding to medical literature on patient outcomes and quality of care as informed by World Health Organization guidelines. The goal is to use improved programmatic and performance strategies to address stakeholder concerns in order to positively influence NICU planning in Malawi.​
Audrey Swanson
B. Architecture '21 
One of my favorite things about the field of architecture is the constant learning that comes with each new project and the way exposure to the world makes us better designers.
​What role can architecture play in improving patient quality of care?
​One of the design challenges in the NICU that immediately caught my attention was the desire to mediate the drastically different thermal comfort needs of the staff and patients. Newborns are an incredibly sensitive patient population and need to be kept very warm. The ambient temperature in the nursery should be 25-28° C, or 77-82° F. Although the heaters and incubators are the primary way of keeping the newborns warm, I wanted to investigate the role that the architecture itself had to play in keeping newborns warm while still ensuring staff are comfortable so they can perform at their best. The design responds to the stakeholder concerns by creating thermally isolated zones with semi-glazed walls which still allow visibility and patient access. The raised roof above the nurse’s station zone uses high windows to provide daylight and ventilation for the healthcare workers while minimizing exposure to drafts and excessive light for the newborns. 
How would you describe your design process?
Designing in an unfamiliar context requires extensive research to understand the needs of the project, including the existing conditions and the standards for neonatal care. The research is a crucial part of the process which is also a method of communication with the medical professionals. Another important part of the process involves sharing design work with the stakeholders for feedback. This project has been truly collaborative and would not have been able to be developed to this level without the insights from the stakeholders involved. Between the research and the stakeholder meetings, a lot of design iteration took place to make sure the stakeholder needs were addressed.

"The research is a crucial part of the process which is also a method of communication with the medical professionals." 

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