Health-care Center
Forlì, Italy, 2013
Client: Re-Care Onlus
The central idea of the design is to create a welcoming and comfortable environment specifically tailored for children. Every aspect of the project—from the overall volume and outer skin to the scale of the interiors, the furnishings, and even the smallest construction details—has been conceived with the dimensions, perceptions, and needs of a child in mind. The intention is not only to provide a functional space, but also to foster an atmosphere that feels accessible, playful, and engaging for its youngest users.
The exterior of the building is clad in corrugated sheet metal, painted in vibrant, lively colors. This choice is not incidental: the palette is designed so that children, with their heightened sensitivity and unique way of perceiving the world, experience the architecture as a joyful and colorful place. To adult eyes the tones may appear subtle or restrained, but for children the building reads as an environment charged with brightness and vitality.
At the heart of the project lies a courtyard, conceived as both a gathering place and an extension of the learning environment. This open space is equipped with sensory and visual installations, playful furnishings, and carefully designed areas that invite exploration. The intention is to stimulate imagination and encourage games that develop motor, social, and cognitive skills. The courtyard becomes not just a physical setting, but a catalyst for creativity and discovery.
Ultimately, the design aspires to go beyond the traditional idea of a child-focused facility. It proposes a holistic environment where architecture itself becomes an educational tool: a space that adapts to children’s scale, speaks their visual language, and nurtures their sense of wonder while supporting their growth and play.
