Kentucky Children’s Hospital is located at the University of Kentucky Medical Center. The renovation and expansion of this 46,750 square foot neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) included the design of a 72-bed unit with a new entry sequence from the Medical Center atrium.

Pivotal worked closely with both architectural teams to develop concepts, mockups, and final detailing and control strategies for the project, including backlit color-changing walls featured in the main entry lobby and waiting areas. However, the most complex design strategies were focused in NICU patient rooms. Due to the unavailability of daylight in these spaces, the primary lighting design goal was to reinforce circadian cycles by manipulating the timing, distribution, color, and intensity of electric light.

The Lighting Research Center (LRC) provided information on current circadian lighting research and initial design concepts for the project, and Pivotal was tasked with combining these LRC concepts, stringent NICU Design Guidelines and University of Kentucky design standards for a cohesive and functional design.