FEATURED PROJECT
Starship
Children's
Hospital Atrium
IMMERSIVE INTERIOR GRAPHICS
& SPATIAL DESIGN
Designed and produced in New Zealand by YDS Studio
This project transformed the main atrium of Starship Children’s Hospital into an immersive New Zealand forest environment.
Using large-scale printed graphics, suspended elements, and natural textures,
the space was designed to create a calming and engaging experience for children, families, and staff.
THE CONCEPT
Bringing the New Zealand forest indoors
The design draws inspiration from native New Zealand forest environments, using layered foliage, soft greens, and organic forms to create depth and movement throughout the space.
Transparent fern graphics were applied to the glazed walkways, designed to be experienced both from within the walkway and when viewed from above within the atrium, creating a layered visual connection between levels.
Floor and wall graphics were produced using hospital-grade vinyl and laminated for durability and ease of cleaning, ensuring long-term performance within the space.
Suspended bird elements were designed as three-dimensional forms, allowing them to be viewed from multiple angles throughout the atrium while adding a sense of movement and life.
THE NARRATIVE & DESIGN STORY
Inspired by a story of care and guardianship
This project was inspired by a narrative gifted to Starship Children's Hospital by Dame Rangimarie Naida Glavish.
The story of the shining cuckoo and the grey warbler speaks to care, trust, and guardianship. The shining cuckoo lays its eggs in the nest of the grey warbler, who then raises them as its own.
This metaphor reflects the role of doctors and nurses within the hospital, caring for and nurturing children as if they were their own.
This narrative informed key elements throughout the space. Suspended grey warblers bring a sense of movement and life, while woven timber forms inspired by nests reference shelter and protection.
Material selections and colour tones were aligned with the architectural vision developed by Chowhill, creating a cohesive environment. Bamboo finishes introduce warmth and softness, helping to balance the clinical setting with a calm, natural presence.
Feature Details
High resolution floor graphics transform the atrium into an immersive New Zealand forest canopy, creating depth, colour and a strong connection to nature from every level of the space.
Layered transparent fern graphics extend across the elevated walkways, allowing the design to be experienced both within the space and from above.
A subtle projected native bird concept introduces movement, bringing the environment to life and reinforcing the narrative of care and guardianship.
Suspended elements were designed to bring depth, movement, and storytelling into the space. Custom David Trubridge pendant forms were integrated with colour-matched interiors, introducing warmth and aligning with the surrounding palette.
Alongside these, custom crafted grey warblers were positioned throughout the atrium as three-dimensional forms, designed to be viewed from multiple angles and reinforcing the narrative of care and guardianship.
Transparent fern graphics were applied to the glazed walkways, designed to be viewed both from within the walkway and from above, creating a layered visual connection across the atrium.
Complementing this, custom leaf stencil graphics were developed to introduce pattern and rhythm throughout the architecture, reinforcing the forest-inspired environment.
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Important for large-scale projects
For commercial and healthcare environments, we use specialised materials designed for durability, ease of cleaning, and long-term performance.
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