KBE Provides New NICU Library to Connecticut Children’s Medical Center

HARTFORD, Ct. – Families of patients at Connecticut Children’s Medical Center NICU at the UConn Medical Center in Farmington now have a peaceful retreat to help them as they deal with the stress of a child in the NICU. KBE Building Corp. recently completed construction of the NICU library for parents adjacent to the NICU. Thanks to donations of time and services from KBE, its subcontractors and Tecton Architects, the project was completed at no cost to Connecticut Children’s Medical Center.

Alex Skulte posing in the first Alex’s Library.

The idea to turn a storage room into a peaceful library and retreat was conceived by The Baby Alex Foundation, an organization focused on pediatric brain surgery research, and its Alex’s Library initiative. The initiative’s mission is to provide books and other informational materials to families of NICU patients striving to find solace during difficult times. The organization was started by parents Nicole Schmidt and Erik Skulte after the premature birth of their son, Alex. Alex, now 8, his parents and his sister Isabelle were on hand to cut the ribbon for the library opening.

Connecticut Children’s Medical Center NICU Library | Project Highlights

• $0 total cost to Connecticut Children’s Medical Center
• Storage area converted to library
• Complete demolition of the existing cabinets, ceiling and floor; full restoration and a custom bookshelf
• Strict Infection Control Risk Assessment protocol followed to accommodate close proximity to the NICU
• Completed on Oct. 26, 2015

Interior Building Contractors, DLZ Architectural Millwork, M Brett Painting Company, North Haven Ceramic Tile & Floor Coverings, Builders Hardware and Sarracco Mechanical Services also donated time and materials to the project.

Photos courtesy of KBE Building Corp.