Following September 11th, Villency Contract volunteered its design services and custom fabrication to transform the waiting room of the emergency room at New York's St. Vincent's hospital into an oasis of calm. The initiative challenged a widely held cultural assumption that large institutional environments are de facto cold and uncomfortable. In our process, we understood the needs of the visitors and staff and decided to bring a holistic, peaceful feeling to the waiting room. Our design team incorporated soothing elements such as bamboo, comfortable seating, mood lighting and a tranquil green color scheme to anchor the entire setting. The waiting room became a welcoming oasis of serenity, helping both patients and family members experience a sense of calm and healing.