Pediatric Surgical Suites
at Dignity Health Bakersfield Memorial Hospital
When Dignity Health's Bakersfield Memorial Hospital expanded its campus to include a new Pediatric Surgical Unit, the goal was clear: create an environment that reduces anxiety, supports families, and delivers a seamless care experience – from arrival through recovery.
Constructed within an active hospital campus, the new unit required more than a physical build-out; it needed to be clearly introduced, intuitively navigated, and thoughtfully experienced. Takeform was engaged to deliver a comprehensive signage and experiential graphics program spanning check-in, lobby, pre-op areas, and code and life safety signage within operating zones.
LOCATION:
Bakersfield Memorial Hospital | Bakersfield, CA
OTHER CONTRIBUTORS:
Devenney Group
Inner Design StudioPRODUCTS:
Interior Signage | Vivid
Dimensional Ceiling Tiles | Oomph Acoustic Panels
Window Film | Amplify
Dimensional Letters | Ethos
Custom Acrylic Animal Shapes
Navigating Complexity
While the Pediatric Surgical Unit was newly built, it was embedded within an established hospital infrastructure. Reaching the second-floor destination required families to move through paths not originally designed for public use – including elevators previously reserved for staff and service access. Successfully integrating the unit into this environment required more than directional signage. It called for a clearly defined journey – one that introduces the destination with confidence, guides visitors step-by-step through unfamiliar territory, and removes uncertainty at every point of decision.
Playful, Yet Precise
Once inside the unit, we introduced an animal-based graphic language that serves as both intuitive wayfinding and a reassuring narrative layer for young patients. Each room is anchored by a distinct animal, creating recognizable cues for families while reinforcing the unit’s nature-inspired design theme. The resulting signage and graphics system brings warmth, clarity, and emotional ease to a pediatric hospital setting.
Each pre-op and recovery room features a custom sign from our Vivid collection. The two-piece design integrates simple animal silhouettes with the room ID component, creating moments of character and comfort while meeting ADA requirements and Dignity Health brand standards. The result is a signage system that softens the clinical experience through familiarity and gentle storytelling, easing anxiety while remaining clean, legible, and precisely executed.
Inside each room, a grouping of animals is positioned within the patient’s line of sight from the hospital bed. Custom cut from acrylic and surface-painted to coordinate with the room’s finishes, these elements introduce a calming focal point while reinforcing the overall design language.
Dimensional Design Overhead
One of the most intricate features of the project are the dimensional ceiling tiles created using our Oomph acoustic panels. The tiles extend the animal theme beyond the walls to create an overhead moment of whimsy and distraction for young patients. Achieving the right result required multiple rounds of engineering refinement to ensure the tiles integrated seamlessly into existing ceiling systems and maintained long-term durability.
Where Wayfinding Meets Care
The signage and graphics system transforms navigation into part of the care experience. Friendly visual cues reduce anxiety, clear wayfinding connects the main hospital to the new surgical destination, and durable materials ensure the system performs under constant daily use and cleaning. For families entering pediatric surgery, the space offers reassurance, clarity, and a sense of welcome from the moment they arrive.
Our work in healthcare
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To support its expanding presence in the West Valley, Phoenix Children’s opened the Arrowhead Campus to improve access to specialized pediatric care. In collaboration with Healthcare Graphics Consulting, Takeform delivered a cohesive signage system - spanning interior, exterior, and donor recognition - that enhances wayfinding, maintains brand integrity, and simplifies future growth.
Baylor St. Luke's Medical Campus
As part of the new 12-story O’Quinn Medical Tower at Baylor St. Luke’s Medical Center – McNair Campus in Houston, Takeform delivered a comprehensive signage package to support cancer care and surgical services. Building on our long-standing partnership with CommonSpirit Health, we produced and installed over 4,700 pieces of signage across the tower and three parking garages.
Hoag Health Center Foothill Ranch
Hoag Health Center in Foothill Ranch partnered with Takeform to transform a 44,000-square-foot retail space into a welcoming, hospitality-inspired healthcare environment. By joining the project early, we helped shape a calming, community-focused space that delivers elevated care and an enhanced patient experience.