Phoenix Children’s Hospital gets big expansion

PHOENIX - The brand new Phoenix Children's Hospital expansion is opening Monday morning.

ABC15 got a private tour with Building and Design Director of PCH Dave Cottle and one of the lead architects, Sidney Smith of HKS, Inc.

The Valley has watched a massive 11 story, 750,000 square foot expansion emerge after ground broke just over two years ago.

Architect Sidney Smith is excited to see the results.

"It's been absolutely amazing," said Smith.

From the bright primary colors the hospital is known for, to whimsical art and just plain fun features like; 3D tiles and floors that appear to squish when you walk.

Dave Cottle says this was much more that just another project for everyone involved.

"Everybody loves to do this for the kids. It's exciting," Cottle said.

One of Smith's favorite features can be seen outside and inside the building.

"One thing people will notice is the theater light show. We have specialty LED light fixtures," said Smith.

The lighting is a show stopper, and while all the design touches are pleasing to the eye, fun and function are the name of the game.

"Our design intent was to create an oasis here in the Sonoran Desert for those children to find that oasis of medical treatment," Smith said.

The team worked very hard to keep things local, sustainable and comfortable.

"One example of that is each clinic has its own flower and color theme for an identifier, so it's a calming thing," said Cottle.

All the beautiful design comes from a very real need for more children's hospital beds in the Valley. The new tower will nearly double the available beds in the hospital from 345 to 626 by 2012.

The first two floors of the expansion opened Monday, including five specialty clinics. Then the first patient floors will open with private rooms in June.

Three floors will remain closed until future need is determined. Whether it be more clinics, patient rooms or other needed facilities, Phoenix Children's Hospital is ensuring it will grow right along with the Valley.

"We decided it was time for us to do something, and what's exciting about that is we did do something," Cottle said.