Meet Our New Wayfinding Friends

If you’ve been inside Connecticut Children’s new Tower, you may have noticed that an entire menagerie of animals has taken up residence—from the parking garage and lobby atrium to elevators, on the uniforms of our nutrition delivery team members, and even the NICU. Banjo, Bubbles, Spout, and their cheerful friends are part of our new wayfinding system designed to help patient families and visitors navigate this new space with ease.

Wayfinding friends welcome you to the NICU

The wayfinding system showcases Connecticut’s native flora and fauna across the state’s four ecosystems: forest (floors 1, 2), meadow (fetal care clinic), mountain (floors 3, 4, 5), and reef (floors 6, 7, 8).

Room A with fish wayfinding friends — The wayfinding system showcases Connecticut’s native flora and fauna across the state’s four ecosystems: forest (floors 1, 2), meadow (fetal care clinic), mountain (floors 3, 4, 5), and reef (floors 6, 7, 8).

Connecticut Children’s team members chose fun names for each of the wayfinding friends—including Bella the Bobcat, Hops the Bunny, Ollie the Octopus, and Waddles the Duck.

Whale wayfinding friend — Connecticut Children’s team members chose fun names for each of the wayfinding friends—including Bella the Bobcat, Hops the Bunny, Ollie the Octopus, and Waddles the Duck.

The wayfinding friends like Luna the Coyote and Daisy the Deer calm and distract children as they travel on their journey to wellness—and bring daily joy to families and team members alike.

Fox wayfinding friend — The wayfinding friends like Luna the Coyote and Daisy the Deer calm and distract children as they travel on their journey to wellness—and bring daily joy to families and team members alike.

Instead of elevators, the new Tower transports patients and families in whimsical flying submarines, where wayfinding friends have hitched a ride, too.

Tower elevator with fun, fishy wayfinding friends

The wayfinding friends and playful, nature-inspired artwork were created by local artist Tracy MacLauchlan and are completely unique to Connecticut Children’s.