Pediatric Tower
Interior Architecture

Miller Children’s Hospital
Long Beach, CA

Pediatric Tower
Interior Architecture

Miller Children’s Hospital
Long Beach, CA

Miller Children’s Hospital was envisioned as more than a place of healing—it was designed as a welcoming environment where advanced pediatric medicine and the emotional well-being of children and their families are equally valued. Located on the Long Beach Memorial Medical Center campus, the hospital includes seven state-of-the-art operating rooms, a dedicated pediatric imaging center, 48 neonatal intensive care beds, and 24 private pediatric patient rooms. The design is grounded in the belief that every child is the hero of their own story, creating an environment that empowers young patients through imagination, comfort, and hope.

Inspired by Southern California’s waterfront culture, the interiors celebrate the joy, color, and energy of the beach while providing a reassuring sense of familiarity. Visitors are welcomed by a vibrant reception desk inspired by a colorful beach umbrella, while a playful Ferris wheel motif animates the gift shop façade. The lobby features boardwalk-inspired arcade games that engage older children and teens, transforming waiting into play. Throughout the hospital, daylight, color, texture, and interactive elements create moments of discovery that reduce anxiety and encourage exploration.

Every detail was thoughtfully scaled for children and families. Waiting areas and family spaces on each floor feature windows positioned at multiple heights, allowing even the youngest visitors to connect with the outside world. Furnishings vary in scale to accommodate infants, children, teens, and adults alike, creating spaces that encourage sitting, climbing, gathering, and play. Bright colors, tactile materials, and engaging forms foster an inclusive environment that resonates with patients and families from diverse backgrounds while reinforcing the hospital’s mission of healing through compassion and imagination.

As Design Leader, Ms. Mabus (Ms. Hanley) established the architectural vision for the interiors and guided its execution from schematic design through design development. She led the integration of the project’s design philosophy into every aspect of the planning, spatial organization, material selection, and interior detailing, ensuring that functional healthcare requirements and a rich patient experience were seamlessly united. Her leadership helped create an environment that supports exceptional clinical care while celebrating the resilience, curiosity, and optimism of childhood.

Design Firm: TAYLOR
Senior Design Leader: Cynthia Mabus AIA (Now Cynthia Anne Hanley AIA)

Long Beach CA

124,000 sf

2009

Health+Wellness