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Heart-Shaped Facility Incorporating Green Facades and Natural Light for Enhanced Patient Well-Being

Author:
Mariana Vilela Biscaro
Heart-Shaped Facility Incorporating Green Facades and Natural Light for Enhanced Patient Well-Being

Project in-detail

The heart-shaped design, enhanced by green facades and abundant natural light, creates a healing environment that redefines patient care within this modern healthcare facility.
5 key facts about this project
01
Heart-shaped layout enhances both emotional support and functional flow within the facility.
02
Extensive use of green facades promotes sustainability and improves air quality.
03
Cross-laminated timber panels provide structural integrity while reducing carbon footprint.
04
Natural light is maximized through strategic glazing, creating a calming environment.
05
Dedicated spaces for holistic therapies integrate mental wellness into healthcare delivery.
The Hospital Amathia, located in Mato Grosso do Sul, Brazil, presents a well-considered architectural approach to modern healthcare design. This hospital integrates essential healthcare functions with a design that reflects compassion and community engagement. At its core, the project emphasizes a clear hierarchy of spaces aimed at enhancing patient experience while ensuring operational efficiency.

The design revolves around a heart motif, symbolizing care and healing. This central theme influences both the spatial organization and the overall aesthetic. The building’s layout is characterized by the extrusion of the heart shape into functional volumes that accommodate a range of medical services. These are further broken down into distinct blocks for patient care, administrative functions, and integrative therapies, creating a comprehensive facility that caters to diverse healthcare needs.

Spatial Organization and Access

The organization of the hospital is designed to facilitate smooth transitions and accessibility. Key areas include:

- Patient Care Sector: This includes treatment rooms, outpatient facilities, and waiting areas designed with patient comfort in mind. The architectural design prioritizes natural light and views of nature, aiding the healing process.

- Services Sector: Encompassing administrative offices and support services, this area is configured to ensure workflow efficiency. The arrangement optimizes interactions between staff while maintaining patient privacy where necessary.

- Alternative Sector: This sector incorporates spaces for holistic therapies, reflecting a modern understanding of health that values mental and emotional well-being alongside physical treatment.

Material Selection

Materiality plays a significant role in the hospital's design. The use of concrete provides structural reliability, while extensive glazing allows natural light to permeate the building, creating airy and uplifting spaces. Wood finishes add warmth and a human scale to interior areas. Green facades contribute not only to aesthetics but also assist in improving air quality through biophilic design elements. The inclusion of solar panels reinforces the project’s commitment to sustainability.

Innovative Design Approaches

The Hospital Amathia distinguishes itself through its thoughtful design principles. The symbolic heart form guided not only the spatial arrangement but also the emotional tone of the facility. This design approach fosters an environment where patients feel cared for, minimizing the clinical nature often associated with hospitals.

Landscaped areas create a seamless connection between indoor and outdoor environments, supporting healing through interaction with nature. Diverse patient and visitor pathways enhance accessibility while reinforcing community engagement. The organization is inclusive, ensuring that all areas promote safety and comfort.

The Hospital Amathia serves as a significant architectural element in its region, bringing modern healthcare capabilities into a nurturing framework. For a deeper exploration of the project's architectural plans, sections, designs, and ideas, visit the project presentation for comprehensive insights into this innovative healthcare facility.
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100,000€ Prize / 2025

Design a new small-scale home concept in the 10th edition of MICROHOME — 100,000 € prize + construction

Competition organisers

The 10th edition of the MICROHOME architecture competition invites architects and designers from around the world to explore the possibilities of compact, sustainable living. Hosted by Buildner in collaboration with Kingspan and Hapi Homes, this special edition challenges participants to design an off-grid, modular microhome for a young professional couple, with a maximum floor area of 25 m². Designs should prioritize innovation, efficiency, and real-world feasibility. 

A total prize fund of 100,000 € will be awarded, including three main prizes, the Kingspan Award, and the Hapi Homes Award, which will grant 15,000 € and lead to the construction of the selected design. The final registration deadline is September 25, 2025, and winners will be announced on Decebmer 9, 2025. For full competition details and submission guidelines, visit microhome.info.

Microhome

Design a new small-scale home concept in the 10th edition of MICROHOME — 100,000 € prize + construction

100,000 € PRIZE FUND / KINGPSAN EDITION #10 IDEAS COMPETITION
Prize 100,000 € + Potential realisation
Eligibility Open to all
Early bird registration deadline 22 May 2025
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