Space for healing

A new children’s hospital created like a small town and designed to appeal to its young patients and promote healing has been opened in Zurich. The Kinderspital has chalet-style ‘cottages’ instead of wards and walls are designed to be scribbled on by young patients. Large amounts of glass make it easier to spot hospital staff and huge windows flood the buildings with light.

And architects Herzog & de Meuron also designed the building to be adaptable to future needs, with partitions that can moved to reconfigure spaces and an option to add another storey to the roof. The buildings are surrounded by greenery, including 16 planted courtyards, and are constructed with a large amount of wood to add to the feeling of warmth and nature. As well as the children’s hospital, the site also includes a research and teaching centre with labs and lecturer theatres built around a five-storey atrium.

Architect Jacques Herzog told the Guardian: “It’s an unbelievably neglected area, but I am totally convinced that architecture can contribute to the healing process.”

Find out more about the project on the Herzog & de Meuron website.