East Tennessee Children's Hospital - Discovery, Innovation, & Simulation Center

Since 1932, East Tennessee Children’s Hospital (ETCH) has committed to providing extraordinary pediatric care and services. Whether it is through their specially-trained staff, state-of-the-art equipment, or the design of their facilities, ETCH fosters a culture conducive to improving their mission and operations.

To further reinforce the importance of this mission, ETCH embarked on a renovation to create a technologically advanced learning center designed to reflect and enhance their passion for pediatric care. The resulting “Think Space” provides functional environments to provide hands-on skills training, collaboration, and innovation which impacts real-life patient outcomes within the Hospital. Called the Discovery, Innovation, & Simulation Center (DISC), the program contains a range of simulation spaces, including those for the Emergency Department and NICU/PICU, as well as flexible skills labs for both staff and visiting families that can easily be converted to accommodate various simulation scenarios.

The design features branded colors set against a crisp white background that ties the space into the surrounding Hospital. The Center is bisected by a curvilinear, louvered wall that defines the Innovation Lab while supporting visual connections to the adjacent learning & simulation spaces. As one moves throughout the space, a graphic of smiling children is gradually revealed on the louvers which reminds and reinforces the mission behind the DISC.

Framework for Design Excellence

Design for Integration
Our project employs beauty and delight in the central design and performance concept, connecting with place, including climate, history, and people using an integrated design process.

Design for Equitable Communities
Our project employs beauty and delight in the central design and performance concept, connecting with place, including climate, history, and people using an integrated design process.

Design for Ecosystems
Our project employs beauty and delight in the central design and performance concept, connecting with place, including climate, history, and people using an integrated design process.

Design for Water
Our project employs beauty and delight in the central design and performance concept, connecting with place, including climate, history, and people using an integrated design process.

Design for Economy
Our project employs beauty and delight in the central design and performance concept, connecting with place, including climate, history, and people using an integrated design process.

Design for Energy
Our project employs beauty and delight in the central design and performance concept, connecting with place, including climate, history, and people using an integrated design process.

Design for Well-Being
Our project employs beauty and delight in the central design and performance concept, connecting with place, including climate, history, and people using an integrated design process.

Design for Resources
Our project employs beauty and delight in the central design and performance concept, connecting with place, including climate, history, and people using an integrated design process.

Design for Change
Our project employs beauty and delight in the central design and performance concept, connecting with place, including climate, history, and people using an integrated design process.

Design for Discovery
Our project employs beauty and delight in the central design and performance concept, connecting with place, including climate, history, and people using an integrated design process.