Medical University of South Carolina (MUSC) Shawn Jenkins Children’s Hospital and Pearl Tourville Women’s Pavilion
AWARD OF MERIT – 2020 Healthcare Design Showcase
The Medical University of South Carolina (MUSC) Shawn Jenkins Children’s Hospital and Pearl Tourville Women’s Pavilion is a 10-story, 250-bed patient tower with adjacent four-story D&T podium that has transformed how care is delivered to children and women at MUSC, seamlessly integrating children’s care with obstetrical services, for pediatric tertiary, quaternary, and complex cardiac cases, and the simplest to the most complex obstetrical cases. It has the largest neonatal ICU, and the most comprehensive, dedicated pediatric heart center in South Carolina. There is an entire interventional program for non-cardiac surgical procedures. An entire floor is dedicated to the care of children with cancer.
The facility has 96 pediatric med/surg, 30 critical care, 82 NICU, and 41 ante-/post-partum beds including 7 couplet-care rooms where mothers and newborns can recover together. There are 12 LDRs, a newborn-nursery, two C-section, 8 ORs, EP and Cath-labs, minor procedure, endoscopy rooms, an emergency department, imaging with an MRI designed for children, maternal-fetal medicine, outpatient clinics, and infusion.
The Women’s Pavilion is strategically collocated with the children’s program to create a safe place for expectant women by seamlessly integrating children’s care and obstetrical services,
to enhance safety and to improve outcomes in high-risk pregnancies.
For resilience, the design turned challenges into opportunity; due to the site’s floodplain, critical programs, amenities, and equipment are located above ground level, maximizing access to
nature, and enhancing interior beauty for wayfinding and the patient family experience. All patient units—bedrooms, family lounges, and staff work areas—have expansive water views. Connecting
to the natural environment with simple interior moves enhances the interior experience.
Design decisions were made through deep collaboration with the Patient-Family Advocacy group, Child Life, Clinical Leadership, and with Poltronieri Tang. An autism-spectrum friendly facility informed by research considers a full-sensory experience. Child Life play areas are located on each patient floor, in addition to a large Child Life playroom and outdoor play deck. Family dining near patient units has an outdoor terrace. Families staying for extended time have comfortable sleeping accommodations and amenities. Each floor has a conference room where medical teams consult and collaborate with families in developing their care plan. Caregiver well-being is supported throughout and includes access to an off-stage roof terrace with water views.
The overarching theme of “Stories of the Lowcountry” celebrates the natural and cultivated landscape, history, architecture, arts, and culture of this unique region.
Project category: New construction
Chief administrator: John Sion, director of major construction projects, MUSC
Firms: Perkins and Will, www.perkinswill.com; McMillan Pazdan Smith Architecture, www.mcmillanpazdansmith.com
Design team: Perkins and Will (architect, planner, interior designer, landscape architect); McMillan Pazdan Smith (associate architect); ADC Engineering (civil engineer);
Walter P Moore (structural engineer); BR+A Consulting Engineers (MEP engineer); Smith Seckman Reid (technology)
Total building area (sq. ft.): 625,000
Construction cost/sq. ft.: $431
Total construction cost (excluding land): $269.4 million
Completed: January 2020