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Product Application Acrovyn 4000 wall coverings help create child-centric environment for new pediatric unit T he Palmyra Medical Center in Albany, Ga. recently renovated an existing facility on its campus to create a new, multi-million dollar pediatric unit, which will serve the nearly 8,000 children who go through its doors every year. The architectural team from K2J, Inc. designed the interior of the new unit to provide a warm and caring environment for pediatric patients and their families as well as the staff that oversees care. The new unit is part of a larger expansion program under way at the Palmyra Medical Center. The new 5,000-square-foot pediatric unit features spacious, private patient rooms, a children's playroom and a multi-media room for adolescent Headwall made from demountable wall panels. Creating a safe and playful atmosphere for patients was a priority for K2J. Child-appropriate colors and themes were introduced. Most notably was a unique mural made from rigid wall covering sheets that was displayed along the public corridor. The Interior Wall Protection division at Construction Specialties (C/S) worked directly with the designers and architects to create various custom-made shapes from the sheet material, such as a schoolhouse and several nature scenes. In addition, C/S worked with the designers to continue the playful theme into the patient rooms. K2J's design goals for the project included renovations to the existing stor- age and vanity areas in the patient rooms, along with installation of new headwalls and impact-resistant doors. Mural factory-cut from rigid wall covering. patients. The families of the pediatric patients were also taken into account when planning the unit. The architects at K2J designed a special family media center and adjacent lounge, allowing parents to relax while still keeping their children in view. www.mcdmag.com "By working with C/S, we were able to create a unique design element with the use of the headwall," said Kris Kirchner, interior designer at K2J, Inc. "C/S worked with us every step of the way to help realize our design goals with their custom sheeting and headwall products." For the hospital staff, K2J also worked to create more comfortable care-team sta- tions and designed deeper worktops that offer more practical space. The C/S Acrovyn collection of high-im- pact wall panels and wall coverings offers a wide range of products to meet aesthetic and functional requirements. C/S offers a comprehensive selection of materials including new durable Acrovyn simulated wood and metal patterns. C/S products specifi ed for this project include wall coverings, wall panels, corner guards, handrails and impact-resistant doors. The architects and designers chose C/S' Acrovyn® 4000 for this project because of the full breadth of the line and the variety of colors available. Its MBDC Cradle to Cradle® Certifi cation assures architects, designers and hospital owners that there are no chemicals of concern in the wall-protection material chosen for this pediatric project. "I've worked with Acrovyn on projects before, and because of the high quality of the products and custom care that I received working with C/S, I plan to use Ac- rovyn 4000 products again," said Kirchner. The new pediatric unit offers a warm, child-friendly atmosphere to its patients, and C/S' custom sheet designs are thoughtfully placed throughout the unit's interior walls to refl ect this intention. The products installed offer the best of both worlds: safe, strong and reliable wall pro- tection and a truly unique design center- piece for the unit. For more info, visit www.c-sgroup.com. May/June 2012 | Medical Construction & Design 61