The Stead Family Children’s Hospital, part of University of Iowa (UI) Health Care, is a 14-story, 140-bed tower that consolidates UI Health Care’s pediatric and neonatal services into a purpose-built environment designed exclusively for children and families. As Iowa’s only nationally ranked children’s hospital, the facility supports expanded programs and new services that promote health at home, in school and across the community. Filled with natural light, the hospital features transparent façades, double height atrium lightwells, and views of the surrounding landscape, creating a bright, uplifting experience.
Private inpatient rooms — including NICU, PICU, pediatric medical/surgical and oncology — are designed around patient comfort, with large windows and dedicated family zones for overnight stays. Pediatric specific operating suites, imaging and procedural areas, playrooms, education spaces and family living rooms further reinforce a healing environment that prioritizes care, comfort and connection.
Ventilation with purpose
Our team designed an advanced heating, ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC) system to support healing through exceptional comfort, safety and quiet performance. Individual room controls allow families to personalize temperature, while hospital wide filtration removes 99.9% of airborne contaminants — reducing infection risk for patients, staff and visitors. High risk areas and operating rooms receive additional filtration for enhanced protection. Built with redundant, high-capacity air handling units, the system ensures uninterrupted operation even during maintenance or component failure. Despite its scale, the system operates at very low noise levels, creating a calm, restorative environment that supports patient recovery and family wellbeing.
