Wise, in collaboration with project partners Shepley Bulfinch, McNamara Salvia, BR+A, Jensen Hughes, R.W. Sullivan Engineering, and CW Design, recently completed a renovation on the first floor of Boston Children’s Hospital’s main building. The renovated space for their Vaccine/Travel Program now features new exam rooms, injection bays, a waiting area, reception, a staff lounge, and other support spaces designed to better serve patients and staff.
Renovating within an active hospital environment required strategic coordination. The project was adjacent to the hospital’s emergency department (ED) overflow-waiting area, so when we had work that required us to temporarily enter part of that space, our team installed a partition wall for safety and privacy. The work included tying new return ductwork into an existing riser, removing a closet, opening the wall separating these two spaces, and adding a new door into the vaccine clinic space from the ED’s waiting area. Also next to the clinic, the Seacrest Studio continued to broadcast live radio programs throughout construction. To ensure uninterrupted operations, Wise installed insulated temporary walls to minimize noise and vibration transfer.
The Vaccine/Travel Program sits directly above the main corridor connecting the hospital’s lobby to the cafeteria, which is one of the busiest paths at the hospital. New plumbing lines had to be run overhead, requiring careful planning with our trade partners and the hospital’s facilities, engineering, safety, and infection control groups. This work was completed during multiple weekends, with temporary containment set up while ceilings were opened to install new piping. The corridor was safely reopened for hospital use each day. Wise’s self-perform team completed the ceilings and provided general services. We maintained close collaboration with the vaccine department staff, and thanks to our self-perform team’s on-site presence, we were able to respond swiftly to scope changes and keep progress uninterrupted.
A standout feature of the finished space is its artwork, curated by Christina Godfrey, Director of Savage Godfrey Gallery, and Elisabeth Gordon, Art Program Manager at Boston Children’s Hospital. Wrapped around the interior of the space is a captivating mural by the talented Mia Cross. Her well-crafted narrative follows a child’s adventure that begins with reading a book entitled “The Car That Went Far”. The mural, rich with vibrant color and story, allows children to follow the little red car as it travels from the city to a serene beach setting, with many references to the artist’s childhood. An interactive element was introduced with coloring pages created by Cross that mimic the mural, providing a tangible connection for visiting children.
Additional art throughout the space further celebrates the theme of travel and exploration, featuring photographs by hospital staff that showcase animals and landscapes from around the world. The photography is then complemented by “Build to Snap”, a framed Lego piece by master builder Christine “Tacos” Blandino, which depicts a red car traveling through a landscape of camera film—a playful nod to the mural’s storyline!
Completing this collection is another significant installation by artist Remmi Franklin. Her pieces, part of her Fly By series, capture the Earth with collages emphasizing land and artistically painted waters.
These thoughtful artistic additions not only enhance the thematic experience of the Vaccine/Travel Program but also transform the experience for patients and families, creating an atmosphere that distracts and delights children as they receive care.
A big thanks to our partners:
Boston Children’s Hospital
McNamara Salvia
BR+A Engineering
Jensen Hughes
R.W. Sullivan Engineering
CW Design
Wise Project Team:
Ryan Finn
Pat Brower
Andrew Cacciola
