The hospice house in Brno is a unique project, being the first of its kind for children in the Czech Republic. Its main mission is to provide comprehensive palliative and respite care, rehabilitation and therapy to children and their families who find themselves in difficult life situations. However, it is not just a place for medical care – it is a space where families can find support, respite, as well as a moment of solitude and peace, so necessary during difficult times.
The facility’s comprehensive care includes both physical and psychological support for children and their loved ones. At difficult times, when life presents the toughest challenges, the hospice home offers a place to help accept fate and find relief and peace. The architectural design of the house is deeply considered and based on harmony with the surrounding nature. The building has been discreetly integrated into the natural surroundings, literally wrapped in the greenery of the park. All rooms and common spaces face the atrium, which is surrounded by plants and a small pond, creating an oasis of tranquillity. In addition, the roof of the building has been designed as a viewing path leading to a meditation area on a nearby hill. This layout allows families free access to nature at any time of the day or night, which supports the process of relaxation and contemplation.
The main floor has been divided into four sections, each with different functions. To the right of the entrance is the spacious dining room with access to the terraces, which serves as a meeting and social activity centre. It is a place where families can dine together, spend time and socialise with other guests of the house. To the left, rooms are arranged for daily therapies. This includes rooms for physiotherapy, art therapy, music therapy, as well as a pool for water therapy (watsu) and a snoezelen – a multisensory space. In addition, a small cinema is planned for this part of the building, which provides a form of relaxation and respite for the wards.
The most important part of the facility is the living area for children and their families. There are 10 children’s rooms, each with a small, private terrace. These rooms surround a central atrium, which provides a sense of privacy and tranquillity. A nurses’ room and a special flat for last goodbyes, equipped with a refrigerated room, are also located in this section, allowing families to spend their last moments with their child in a comfortable and intimate environment. The well-thought-out architectural solutions allow the building to be navigated both on foot and in wheelchairs. Thanks to the large expanses of glass, patients can enjoy views of trees, the sky and reflections of light on the surface of the pond, which has a therapeutic and calming effect.
On the first floor of the building, there is an area for parents who need a break. This is a place where they can relax, knowing that their child is being looked after by professional staff. The family rooms have private terraces overlooking the park, and the common room allows for informal meetings with other parents. In addition, there is direct access from the parents’ floor to the terrace, which offers panoramic views of Brno and is an ideal place to relax, watch the stars or exercise. The building has been designed with minimal environmental impact in mind. It makes use of modern technologies such as monolithic reinforced concrete and heating and cooling systems built into the concrete ceilings. The heating and cooling of the building is powered by heat pumps, and the green roofs prevent the interior from overheating while collecting rainwater, which is used to irrigate the greenery around the building. Excess rainwater is collected in an underground tank, which feeds the garden pond and waters the trees and lawn in the atrium.
The hospice house in Brno is a unique place, combining modernity with nature. Its architecture, thoughtful functionality and comprehensive support make it an oasis of peace and respite for children and their families at the most difficult times of their lives. It is a place where suffering meets relief and sadness meets hope, where much-needed solace and support can be found amidst nature and family warmth.
Studio: ČTYŘSTĚN
Authors: Tomáš Págo, Milan Joja, Karel Kubza,
Project location: Brno, Czech Republic
Year of completion: 2024
Usable area: 2,101 sq m
Photographer: Alex Shoots Buildings, Pavel Barták
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