Category Highlight Show all
-
Integrating the Cree and Dane-zaa languages into wayfinding signage in the new Dawson Creek & District Hospital
Share Integrating the Cree and Dane-zaa languages into wayfinding signage in the new Dawson Creek & District Hospital on Facebook Share Integrating the Cree and Dane-zaa languages into wayfinding signage in the new Dawson Creek & District Hospital on Twitter Share Integrating the Cree and Dane-zaa languages into wayfinding signage in the new Dawson Creek & District Hospital on Linkedin Email Integrating the Cree and Dane-zaa languages into wayfinding signage in the new Dawson Creek & District Hospital link
We are excited to share that the Dawson Creek & District Hospital Replacement Project has achieved a meaningful milestone in our journey toward cultural safety and inclusivity.
In collaboration with the Treaty 8 First Nations, we explored how the new hospital could reflect and honour the cultural heritage of the Indigenous peoples whose traditional territories it resides on and completed a thoughtful engagement process to integrate local Indigenous languages into the new facility.
As a result, the Cree and Dane-z̲aa languages will be integrated into the new hospital on select wayfinding signage including department entrance signs as well as key destination, room, and amenity signs.
Indigenous languages will also be integrated into the digital wayfinding kiosks offering an inclusive and accessible experience without the limitations of physical signage.
In addition, a dedicated welcome wall located in the main lobby of the new hospital will celebrate the diversity of our region by showcasing the many Indigenous and global languages spoken in our region. This wall will serve as a visual reminder of our shared commitment to inclusion, reconciliation, and cultural safety.
One of the core values of the Dawson Creek & District Hospital Replacement Project is providing culturally safe care to all who use the new facility. Language inclusion plays a vital role in honouring the diverse communities we serve, and we committed to ensuring it was done in an intentional and thoughtful way.
Our goal is to create a welcoming and respectful environment for Indigenous patients, families, visitors, and staff. We also want to ensure that the signage system remains inclusive and respectful of cultural diversity, while still fulfilling its core purpose: to guide and orient all users clearly, safely, and effectively.
This initiative is in alignment with the Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada’s Calls to Action, particularly those that call on health care systems to recognize the value of Indigenous healing practices and to provide culturally safe care. By integrating Indigenous languages into the hospital environment, we are taking a meaningful step toward reconciliation – acknowledging the importance of language in identity, healing, and cultural continuity.
This work is a testament to the power of partnership and the importance of listening to community voices. We are grateful to the Elders and Knowledge Keepers who generously shared their time, wisdom, and traditional languages with us to help create a new facility that reflects the people it serves.
The integration of Indigenous languages is more than signage – it’s a step toward healing, recognition, and respect. We look forward to welcoming everyone into a hospital that honours the past, embraces the present, and builds a more inclusive future.
-
Highlight: Interior Design Inspiration and Colour Schemes
Share Highlight: Interior Design Inspiration and Colour Schemes on Facebook Share Highlight: Interior Design Inspiration and Colour Schemes on Twitter Share Highlight: Interior Design Inspiration and Colour Schemes on Linkedin Email Highlight: Interior Design Inspiration and Colour Schemes link
REGIONAL INSPIRATION
The concepts for the interior design of the new Dawson Creek and District Hospital draws inspiration from features of the surrounding environment; the FLOW of the Pouce Coupe River and Dawson Creek, the CONNECTIONS along the Alaska Highway, and the railroad as important gateways to the surrounding region and the northern lights of the BIG SKY which offers a full spectrum of colour palette.
INTERIOR DESIGN APPROACH
The concept of FLOW has been translated in a consistent design approach for wall, flooring, ceiling finishes, millwork design and lighting applications throughout the hospital. Flooring patterns, unique acoustical ceiling treatments and strategic use of colour and accent finishes have been considered in the design of key spaces to help guide and direct patients and visitors through and to key spaces.
Major destinations become CONNECTION points throughout the hospital and are reinforced in wall, floor and ceiling treatments along with accent lighting, colours and graphics to support wayfinding for patients, visitors, staff and volunteers. Public elevator lobbies, prominent public corridors, patient waiting areas, care team stations, department and clinic entrances are all areas where accent finishes treatments have been considered to make these spaces unique and recognizable.
The seasonal light changes of the BIG SKY and northern lights of the region offer a full spectrum colour palette for the hospital. One unique and prominent colour accent is applied to accent wall treatments and graphics to distinguish each floor throughout the hospital.
FINISH SELECTION CRITERIA
LEVEL 0 – MOUNTAINS
The mountains surrounding this region provided inspiration for the colours used in public and staff areas in the lower level. This colour palette is bold but timeless and it helps emphasize the strong foundation the facility is built on.
LEVEL 1 – RIVER
The Dawson Creek, Pouce Coupe River, and Peace River that wind through the region serve as the main inspiration for the design of the main public spaces on Level 1, to provide a welcoming, calming and serene first impression for patients, staff and volunteers. The deep aqua colour combined with warm neutral tones and graphic references of river grasses are applied to floors, walls and ceilings to support the FLOW concept throughout this main floor, and on signage to assist with wayfinding.
LEVEL 2 – PRAIRIE
The surrounding prairie fields are an important feature that inspired the development of the interior design and wayfinding approach for the inpatient level. The abundance of natural light that floods the canola fields in a golden glow creates a prominent element on the exterior of the building that not only enhances the visual appeal of its design but also fosters a sense of vitality and rejuvenation within the interior spaces.
LEVEL 3 – FOREST
The depth of the forest colours combined with fir and pine needle imagery inspired the colour scheme for the mental health floor. We aimed to design a space that is reminiscent of the tranquility and calmness felt walking in nature.
PUBLIC ELEVATOR LOBBIES
The application of the four colour schemes is more evident at the public elevator lobbies, where each geographical feature is prominent.
The design features of the public elevator lobbies include durable wall cladding material with back lit graphic floor identification, colour accent treatments that wrap around recessed glass display cases, unique to each floor, which will feature original art and Indigenous artifacts.
Acoustical wood ceiling treatments have been designed at each elevator lobby to assist with acoustics and help with orientation and wayfinding.
-
Highlight: Floor plans
Share Highlight: Floor plans on Facebook Share Highlight: Floor plans on Twitter Share Highlight: Floor plans on Linkedin Email Highlight: Floor plans link
These floor plans are approximate and subject to change. Departments and units shown may not be to scale or inclusive of all rooms and spaces. They are not a final map of the facility and are for illustrative purposes only.
-
Highlight: Inpatient Rooms
Share Highlight: Inpatient Rooms on Facebook Share Highlight: Inpatient Rooms on Twitter Share Highlight: Inpatient Rooms on Linkedin Email Highlight: Inpatient Rooms link
Key features of the inpatient unit include:
- Located on Level 2
- 32 medical and surgical beds
-
10 convalescent care beds
- This includes 2 bariatric patient rooms with more square footage, a larger bathroom, and equipment and furniture to support bariatric patients
- All rooms allow for more flexible and enhanced care
- Visitor and patient lounges
- Family consult room
-
Quiet rooms
All typical patient rooms are private with an ensuite washroom, located around the perimeter of the building and include:
- Large windows for access to natural light
- Bed and bedside table
- Accessible and private 3-piece washroom
- Furniture for visitors (chair and/or pull out couch)
- Hand hygiene sink
- Interactive patient station/entertainment system
- Wardrobe
- Ceiling lift extending from the bed into the washroom
Download a copy of the DCDH Inpatient Unit highlight poster.
Design is ongoing and subject to change. Renderings are simulated views that are approximate and illustrative.
-
Highlight: Mental Health Unit
Share Highlight: Mental Health Unit on Facebook Share Highlight: Mental Health Unit on Twitter Share Highlight: Mental Health Unit on Linkedin Email Highlight: Mental Health Unit link
Key features of the mental health unit include:
- 18 private inpatient rooms with ensuite washrooms
- Two high observation rooms
- Located on Level 3
- Secure courtyard for patients to have access to the outdoors
- Family visiting and consult rooms
- Patient lounge, dining room and kitchen
- Laundry room
- Exercise room
- Group therapy room
- Activity room
Download a copy of the DCDH Mental Health Unit feature poster.
Design is ongoing and subject to change. Renderings are simulated views that are approximate and illustrative.
-
Highlight: Maternity Unit
Share Highlight: Maternity Unit on Facebook Share Highlight: Maternity Unit on Twitter Share Highlight: Maternity Unit on Linkedin Email Highlight: Maternity Unit link
Key features of the maternity unit include:-
4 labour, delivery, recovery and post-partum (LDRP) rooms
- 2 rooms with tubs for water births
- 1 room is bariatric with a larger floor plan that can support twin births
- 3 ante/postpartum rooms
- Holding nursery with advanced equipment to support infants that need to be transferred to a higher level of care
- Quiet room for families and visitors
- Infant security system
- LDRP model of care allows patients to experience labour, delivery and postpartum stay in the same room
All rooms are private and include:
- Large windows for access to natural light
- Birthing bed and bedside table
- Infant area with a built-in isolette and warmer
- Rocker chair
- Pull out couch
- Small refrigerator
- Accessible and private 3-piece washroom
- Hand hygiene sink
- Interactive patient station/entertainment system
- Wardrobe
Download a copy of the DCDH Maternity Unit feature poster.
Design is ongoing and subject to change. Renderings are simulated views that are approximate and illustrative.
-
4 labour, delivery, recovery and post-partum (LDRP) rooms
-
Highlight: Emergency Department
Share Highlight: Emergency Department on Facebook Share Highlight: Emergency Department on Twitter Share Highlight: Emergency Department on Linkedin Email Highlight: Emergency Department link
Key features of the emergency department include:
- 15 treatment spaces
- 3 high acuity treatment spaces
- 4 clinical decision spaces
- 2 tandem trauma/resuscitation bays
- Significantly larger and more welcoming space
- Double in size from the current emergency department
- Designated entrance, waiting area, and registration area (separate from main entrance)
- Treatment spaces are separated by walls improving privacy and infection control
- Enclosed, heated double bay ambulance garage
- Staff workstations with clear sight lines to waiting areas and treatment spaces to enhance patient care and safety
- Security office for improved patient and staff safety
- Negative pressure treatment rooms for enhanced infection control
- Crisis interview room
- Quiet bereavement room
Download a copy of the DCDH Emergency Department feature poster.
Design is ongoing and subject to change. Renderings are simulated views that are approximate and illustrative.
