Designing for Rest and Recovery: Our Contribution to House of Grey’s Whittington Hospital Project
At Sebastian Cox Studio, we believe design should serve both people and purpose — especially when it can bring comfort to those who give so much of themselves to others. That’s why we were honoured to be invited by House of Grey to contribute to their transformative project at The Whittington Hospital’s Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU).
Led by Louisa Grey, the project saw House of Grey reimagine three critical spaces within the NICU — the staff room, counselling space, and family room — creating calming, restorative environments for hospital staff and families navigating the most delicate of times. House of Grey generously donated their time and expertise to the project, and rallied a community of creative studios and makers to do the same. The result is the largest in-kind donation in the hospital trust’s history — a powerful example of what can be achieved through collective generosity.
We were thrilled to be part of this project, donating our design time, materials, and workshop hours to craft a bespoke daybed bench for the staff room. This is a space designed for recuperation — a darker, quieter environment where medical professionals can retreat, recharge, and, at times, rest between long shifts.
Our bench was designed with intention: generous in proportion, it offers a comfortable place to sit or stretch out. One end cushion is removable, so someone can lie down fully without needing to take off their shoes — a small but considered gesture toward the realities of hospital life. Made with the same care and attention we bring to every piece, the bench reflects our belief that beauty and utility can — and should — coexist.
Projects like this remind us why we do what we do. Design has the power to support wellbeing in profound, everyday ways. We’re proud to have stood alongside House of Grey and a community of fellow makers to contribute something lasting and meaningful to The Whittington Hospital.
