TRI-CITY MEDICAL CENTER
NICU Hall of Hope
One of our greatest project to never see the light of day.
The Hall of Hope was envisioned as a transformative redesign of the 100-foot corridor between Labor & Delivery and the NICU—widely known as one of the most emotionally harrowing walks a parent can take. JerseyMade was charged with reimagining that space in a way that inspired hope, peace, and reassurance—a sanctuary for families at their most vulnerable.
Challange
Parents making this walk needed more than sterile walls; they needed signs of comfort and connection.
Under the leadership of Aaron Byzak, MBA, hospital staff gathered stories and portraits of NICU graduates—from newborns to college students—seeking to turn pain into purpose. Our challenge: translate those stories into a visual environment that soothed, inspired, and grounded parents in hope.
Our Process:
We began with a guiding question: What does hope feel like?
Our answer lay in the quiet beauty of Japanese gardens, signaling:
Color & Texture: Soft, natural tones and organic materials designed to calm and nurture.
Panels: Each story and portrait was featured on a panel with its own unique color and texture combination—celebrating individuality and resilience.
Entry Points: Artful installations at both ends of the hallway (Oceanside Pavilion & Vista North) to create a peaceful and welcoming introduction.
Window Art: Gentle, nature-inspired coverings filtered light and carried the theme throughout the space, using quotes from past NICU parents.
Every design element—scale, pattern, imagery—was intentionally curated to create an immersive, Zen-like experience.
Proposed Solution
Story & Photo Panels: Each NICU graduate’s narrative paired with a visual design that honors their journey.
Environmental Harmony: A cohesive blend of flooring, trim, wall treatments—supporting the visual identity at every level.
Overarching Theme: Peace meeting inspiration, reminding parents that countless others have walked this hallway—and found hope.
Why "Greatest Project Never Finished"?
Despite a fully conceived and approved design, funding ran out and the NICU and Labor & Delivery unit ultimately closed. The project remains unrealized—yet the vision still speaks volumes.
Although it was never built, the Hall of Hope stands as one of JerseyMade’s most meaningful endeavors. It stretched us into environmental-scale design, blending storytelling with spatial experience. Most importantly, it reinforced that design isn’t just aesthetic—it’s emotional architecture that can transform how people feel in their most challenging moments.
