Case Study | Softening Rady Children's Hospital with Moss Walls

Bringing Warmth and Whimsy into Healthcare Spaces: CHOC’s Reindeer Moss Walls

Sweeping walls of lush green reindeer moss welcome visitors at the entrance of the Rady Children's Hospital of Orange County (CHOC). What may seem like a simple design choice is, in reality, a carefully considered installation with the aim of transforming the hospital's atmosphere from intimidating and sterile into one that's soft, welcoming, and full of life.

The Goal: A Soothing Touch in a Stressful Environment

Hospitals can often feel cold and clinical, especially for children. The goal for CHOC’s moss walls was to introduce a nature-inspired design to alleviate some of the stress patients may feel. By integrating organic shapes, vibrant color, and tactile softness, the installation helps provide patients and visitors a sense of calm and comfort.

Designing a Whimsical Biophilic Experience

This project features two installations: a large moss wall that flows seamlessly from the outdoor entryway into the hospital's interior lobby, and a smaller wall that continues the aesthetic onto the second floor. Together, these pieces create visual continuity and invite a sense of joy and playfulness throughout the space.

The moss panels were hand-crafted by GrowUp’s team in our Escondido, CA studio using a blend of ⅔ light green and ⅓ dark green deerfoot moss. This two-toned approach adds visual depth and intrigue while maintaining a low profile, allowing for customization such as LEDs and acrylic signage to be easily installed onto the moss without disrupting the design.

GrowUp’s team engineered the moss walls to flow with the fluid curves of the hospital's architecture, creating natural movement that reflects the organic forms found in nature. Each panel was mounted onto wooden backer boards that were carefully scored to bend and follow the wall's curvature to ensure a seamless finish.

Precision and Safety

From fabrication to installation, every detail was carefully considered. The GrowUp moss artists utilized fire-rated moss that was mounted onto backer boards and installed on-site using a system of steel z-girts to ensure stable and secure structural support. The curved entryway presented a unique challenge for the team, requiring both creative problem-solving and technical precision to maintain quality and cohesiveness. 

Safety was especially important in this installation, because these pieces are in a healthcare facility, our team utilized specialty fire-treated moss, ensuring that the final design met all health and safety codes while maintaining its natural beauty and contributing to a safe and uplifting environment.

The Result

The completed moss walls bring whimsy and color into the hospital's environment. The result is a space that merges art, safety, and a biophilic design, all helping to create a welcoming, uplifting experience for children, families, and staff.

What began as a vision to bring warmth and color into a cold clinical environment has sprouted into a living, textured piece that embodies the healing power of its location and nature.