Between the two units, more than 80,000 square feet of nora® rubber flooring’s noraplan® mega help to create a cheerful environment that enhances the healing experiences of patients and their families.

Plans for the environment evolved as architects and designers from Earl Swensson Associates, Inc., the architectural and interior design firm for the hospital, met with 28 different committees representing the interests of the hospital, patients and families. According to Earl Swensson interior designer Molly Alspaugh, these meetings proved to be invaluable in the design process. “Color quickly emerged as a priority for everyone -- a bright, cheerful color palette. nora®’s bright accent colors played well into this requirement.”

“The need for acoustic masking also grew out of our discussions, and again, nora® offered a three millimeter product that served our purposes well.” In fact, the NICU was so quiet that a fire alarm system installed in the building had to be reprogrammed to work in the unusually low ambient sound conditions of the NICU.

“The floor absorbs sound well and offers comfort underfoot for healthcare providers who spend long hours on their feet,” said Alspaugh. “At the same time, the flooring is durable enough to stand up to the roller mobility of some very heavy equipment.”

John Sparks, project manager at Vanderbilt, also appreciates the easy maintenance associated with nora® products. “Infants are very sensitive to sound, so the acoustical characteristics of rubber were our first priority. However, the maintenance features of the nora® product were also important. We wanted something that was easy to care for and did not require waxing, minimizing disruptions to patients, families and staff and eliminating odors associated with the waxing and stripping processes.”

According to Sparks, the flooring continues to meet expectations. “We are treating critically ill patients in a quiet, easy-to-maintain environment. And two years after its installation, it still looks great – colorful and cheerful.”