Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) Room Type Design Trends

This study explores data regarding NICU room types and NICU room access to daylight. Multiple-room configuration, which usually means an open-bay layout in NICU design, was the prominent room type before 1990. The rapid expansion of SFRs and mixed SFRs, relative to 2-3 beds per room units since 1994, reveals the trend to reduce the number of beds per room and create a more individualized developmental care environment. The average number of beds in NICUs with 2-3 beds per room is 2.71. Regarding light, access to daylight via exterior windows is the most commonly used means.

This article originally appeared in The Academy Journal, published by the AIA Academy of Architecture for Healthcare (17th edition).