Knuf, Blij, Vouw, C-bot and Vizzel: five cheerful little buddies that pop up all around the new Juliana Children’s Hospital (JKZ) in The Hague, accompanying the patients and their families during their stay. Tinker imagineers created and designed the animated children’s experience for the JKZ and the Ronald McDonald House within the HagaZiekenhuis, which was officially opened on 12 June by Queen Máxima.

Magical world
The five little friends live in the children’s hospital, in a magical world of sun, sea & sand. They help the children realise that they are not alone. Every figurine has its own character, and so there will always be someone to tag along, distract the children, make them laugh or provide information.

The goal was to create of world of relaxation and diversion, helping children and their parents to experience less stress and fear. “These are all important factors contributing to a more positive hospital experience, with less pain from operations and a speedier recovery,” according to paediatrician Madelon Ruige. “The children’s experience, which was designed as an integral whole, is playful and full of surprises. An unique chance for the JKZ to makes it mark in the areas of Planetree (patient-centred care) and the healing environment.”

Over 4000 m2 of unique graphic wallpaper covers the walls of the corridors, waiting areas and treatment rooms, taking the children to the bottom of the ocean, the beach or high up in the sky. Walls are literally brought to life with moving projections and interactive animations. In the corridor to the operating room, the most nerve-racking place of the hospital, Hugg, Happy, Fold, C-bot or Fizzle walk along with them. And when they wake up in the recovery room, their buddies are there too!

The lift is magical as well. An animation in the porthole shows the children where they are: under water (ground floor), on the beach (first floor) or in the air (second floor). When it’s playtime, they can visit the life-size play ship in the central atrium, the beach houses in the casualty department or the lighthouse at the entrance.

Ronald McDonald House
In the Ronald McDonald House on the top floor, the adventure continues. In the cockpit of the copter or airship, the children can fly to fantasy worlds, which will help them forget that they are in the hospital.
 

photo: Studio Oostrum, Gera Nieland