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Natural Stone and Green Facades in a Terraced Community Care Facility

Authors:
Naomi Filipowicz, Zuzanna Dąbkowska, Jowita Grabowska
Natural Stone and Green Facades in a Terraced Community Care Facility
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Incorporating terraced green facades and local stone, the design emphasizes accessibility and community interaction, serving as a dedicated nursing home for elderly residents in a mountainous environment.
5 key facts about this project
01
Terraced design maximizes views and accessibility across multiple levels.
02
Green facades integrate native vegetation to enhance biodiversity.
03
Local stone finishes create a strong connection to the surrounding landscape.
04
Ample natural light is achieved through strategically placed large windows.
05
Community spaces encourage social interaction among elderly residents.

### Overview
The FÓRUM SÉNIOR Nursing Home is strategically located in a sloping plot within Portugal's mountainous region, designed to provide a supportive environment for elderly residents. The architectural intent emphasizes comfort and high-quality care while adapting to the natural contours of the site. This design approach turns terrain challenges into opportunities, enhancing the overall experience for its users.

### Spatial Organization and Community Engagement
The layout features a multi-level arrangement that balances communal areas with private spaces. Essential amenities, including a restaurant, chapel, and activity rooms, are integrated throughout to promote accessibility and social interaction among residents. An open-plan design in communal areas facilitates movement and encourages connection, fostering a sense of community within the facility.

### Materiality and Sustainability
A careful selection of materials reflects a commitment to sustainability and visual harmony with the surrounding landscape. Concrete provides structural durability, while wood creates warmth in interior features. Expansive glass windows enhance natural light and connect residents to the outdoors, complemented by green facades that integrate vegetation and improve thermal comfort. Natural stone is employed in flooring to enhance sensory appeal and unify with the site’s aesthetic.

### Interior and Exterior Integration
Interiors are designed with spaciousness and light, featuring large windows that bring in natural illumination. The decor incorporates local textures and patterns, enriching the cultural connection for residents. The external landscape includes gardens and terraces, encouraging interaction while providing therapeutic environments conducive to gardening and social activities. The emphasis on views and natural lighting not only facilitates well-being but also aligns with the building’s integration into its mountainous surroundings.

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Pavilion Atlas 2026: Rethinking Nations Through Architectural Storytelling

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Competition organisers

Buildner launches Pavilion Atlas 2026, a global architecture competition inviting designers to create conceptual pavilions that tell the story of a country. Participants are challenged to express cultural, social, environmental, or political identity through spatial storytelling, focusing on ideas rather than symbols or technical constraints. The competition offers a total prize fund of €20,000, with final registration open until September 16, 2026, and winners to be announced on December 8, 2026. All submissions will become part of a global design archive.

Pavilion Atlas 2026

Design a story of your country

ideas COMPETITION
Prize Monetary award
Eligibility Open to all
Final registration deadline 16 September 2026

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