Children's Hospice
The project was commissioned by the Maria Teresa Chiantore Seràgnoli Non-Profit Hospice Foundation, to embody the approach it has always adopted to palliative care: to associate functionality and quality services with the nobility of beauty.
Spaces for relief and comfort amongst the trees
The project envisions a building that appears to float above the ground, creating a luminous, elevated space where young residents can connect with nature at eye level with the surrounding foliage. Inspired by the concept of "alleviating"—both lifting the spirit and easing pain—the design embodies the essence of a hospice: to provide relief and comfort. Living among the trees evokes childhood dreams of treehouses and creative freedom, reinforcing the idea of a nurturing and uplifting environment for its residents.
An architecture of lightness that alternates openness and transparency
The architectural design consists of multiple pavilions elevated by slender, circular columns, seamlessly blending into the landscape. The facades alternate between transparent and opaque timber-clad sections, enhancing both lightness and privacy. The site’s natural slope allows for a harmonious integration, with the main building's ground floor serving as a transition between different levels. This space houses essential services, including a double-height entrance, reception, meeting rooms, and outpatient care facilities, while a mezzanine level accommodates a training center for palliative care.
At the heart of the hospice, a central garden-patio connects the first-floor wards, which open onto a serene winter garden. This level accommodates vital functions such as a kitchen, staff dining area, physiotherapy gym, hydrotherapy pool, and meeting rooms for medical professionals. Additionally, dedicated spaces for recreational and educational activities foster a supportive environment for young residents. A fully photovoltaic roof, along with geothermal energy and other sustainable systems, ensures that the hospice operates with a minimal environmental footprint, setting a benchmark for sustainable healthcare architecture.
Project Details
Status
Client
Fondazione Hospice Seragnoli
Design
Renzo Piano Building Workshop, architects
Design Team
G.Grandi, S.Russo (partner and associate in charge), A.Zanguio, E.Donadel, R.Parodi, S.Polotti, G.Semprini, O.Teke with V.Bonanni, M.Carroll (partner), A.Chiabrera, V.Costalonga, M.Ottonello, E.Trezzani (partner), Ch.Van der Hoven; G.Corsaro, B.Pignatti, A.Pizzolato, C.Zaccaria (CGI); F.Cappellini, D.Lange, F.Terranova (models)
Consultants
Milan Ingegneria (structure); A.Lagrecacolonna, S.Rigato (MEP); Arup (lighting); M.Amadio (fire prevention); Ricerca e Progetto (acoustics); C.Cocco (LEED); Trillini Engineering (A/V, ICT, BMS, security); P.Pejrone, F.Brugo (landscaping); A.Piancastelli, Twice (specifications); C.Guido (project management)
