DuPont Corian Healing Colors Collection Introduced For Therapeutic Healthcare Environments
Orlando, FL - The DuPont Corian Healing Colors Collection for interior healthcare spaces was unveiled recently at the 2008 International Conference and Exhibition on Health Facility Planning, Design and Construction (PDC). This selection of 72 colors brings a sense of the natural world to interior healthcare environments, helping influence patient recovery and providing better working environments for staff. The Corian Healing Colors Collection has six color groups, H2O, Flame, Earth, Wood, Alloy and Oxygen, allowing architects and designers to create many different therapeutic environments that help stimulate recovery and rejuvenation.
"Today, we know that healthcare spaces, including patient rooms and public areas can, simply by their color scheme and design, offer positive therapeutic effects," said Thomas F. Schuler, vice president and general manager -- DuPont Building Innovations. "These colors, chosen specifically to help promote healing, convey tranquility, vitality or comfort, and are perfectly suited for healing environments."
In addition to its aesthetic versatility, Corian often is the healthcare surface of choice because it delivers superior surface characteristics often required in healthcare facilities. The 2006 Guidelines for Design and Construction of Hospital and Healthcare Facilities has defined the 18 preferred characteristics of the ideal healthcare surface to help control hospital acquired infections. Corian® meets all 18 of these characteristics, including: nonporous, seamless, durable and helps prevent microbial growth when cleaned properly.
To develop these six color palettes, DuPont worked with evidence-based healthcare designer Barbara Huelat and healthcare interior design expert Tara Rae Hill. Barbara Huelet, from Huelat Parimucha Ltd., has been a world-renowned leader in evidence-based healthcare design for 27 years. "Emerging science suggests that interior designs that integrate natural elements can create a relaxing and therapeutic atmosphere," Huelet said.
Tara Rae Hill, ASID, is a registered interior designer and an acknowledged expert in the use of color in healthcare. Before founding LittleFISH THINK TANK, a consulting firm specializing in healthcare design, Hill was senior designer at HOK International and the director of Interiors at Stanley Beaman & Sears. She also has conducted an extensive amount of research in evidenced-based design regarding color and how it emotionally and physically affects the human spirit.
"Corian Healing Colors help reduce cold institutional feelings that can dominate hospitals and other healthcare settings, sparking positive outcomes for both patients and staff," added Hill.
DuPont Corian Healing Colors Collection
| COLOR GROUP | DESCRIPTION |
|---|---|
| H2O | Relaxing blues and greens to help promote tranquility |
| Flame | Vibrant, energizing hues to help promote vitality |
| Earth | Natural stone and earth tones to help promote comfort |
| Wood | Soothing green and brown hues to help promote peacefulness |
| Alloy | Clean, reflective grays and charcoals for pleasing contrast |
| Oxygen | Light, airy colors to help promote serenity |
Corian is nonporous and with proper cleaning does not promote the growth of mold, mildew or bacteria. Scratches are easily removed without marring its beauty and uniformity of color. Available in a wide range of colors, Corian can be thermoformed into custom shapes and contours, sandblasted, routed, carved, laser-etched and backlit, making it ideal for a wide range of healthcare, commercial, residential, furniture and specialty applications. More information is available at surfaces.dupont.com or corian.com or by calling 800-436-6072.
DuPont Building Innovations is a strategic business unit of DuPont that manufactures and markets Corian solid surfaces and Zodiaq quartz surfaces. Corian is a well-known global brand in the solid surface category.
SOURCE: The DuPont Corian Healing Colors Collection