Designed by the architecture firm CTYRSTEN, Julia Children’s Care Home is an innovative healthcare facility located in Brno-sever, Czech Republic. Scheduled for completion in 2024, this compassionate space spans 2,712 m² and is dedicated to providing holistic care for children with life-limiting conditions and support for their families. The design aims to enhance the quality of life of its young residents during challenging times by emphasizing a calm and nurturing environment.

Key Takeaways

1. Purpose Driven Design: Julia Child Care Home is designed to provide a supportive and nurturing environment that emphasizes inner peace and harmony for children with life-limiting conditions and their families.
2. Natural Integration: The facility is discreetly nestled within a natural amphitheater in Brno-sever, Czech Republic, allowing it to blend harmoniously with the surrounding park landscape and preserve mature trees.
3. Thoughtful Layout: The main floor is divided into four distinct sections (common areas, daily activity rooms, accommodation for children and a circular corridor), each designed to meet specific needs and encourage social interaction.
4. Family-Centered Amenities: Hospice has family rooms with private terraces, communal dining areas and a common room where families can connect to provide support and comfort during difficult times.
5. Meditation and Reflection: A unique viewing path leads to a rooftop meditation spot, providing a tranquil space for parents and caregivers to reflect and find peace.
6. Meeting Needs: The design includes a special space for final goodbyes, allowing families to say goodbye in a private, tranquil setting with a memorial courtyard.
7. Sustainable Construction: The building primarily utilizes monolithic reinforced concrete, complemented by larch wood paneling and large windows, enhancing both durability and aesthetic appeal.
8. Efficient Climate Control: The heating and cooling systems utilize air-to-water heat pumps and ducts embedded in the ceilings for energy efficiency and comfort.
9. Green Roof Benefits: Living roofs help manage rainwater, reduce overheating and contribute to environmental sustainability by integrating the building with its natural surroundings.
10. Social Impact: Hospice not only serves as a care facility, but also aims to set a new standard in pediatric palliative care, improving the quality of life for children and their families through compassionate design and thoughtful amenities.

Design Philosophy

Emotions and Environment

The primary goal of the Hospice’s design is to evoke feelings of inner peace, acceptance, humility and harmony. The architects sought to create a facility that integrates seamlessly with its natural surroundings and provides a relaxing atmosphere. The building was discreetly placed within the natural amphitheater of the original park, allowing it to blend harmoniously with the landscape. Its orientation towards a protected inner courtyard, sheltering mature trees, provides an inviting view of greenery and a small pond from all children’s rooms and common areas.

Architectural Features

A notable feature of the hospice is the unique viewing path on the roof, which leads to a meditation spot at the top of the hill. This tranquil space allows parents and caregivers to experience a moment of solitude and reflection, away from the daily challenges of caregiving. Always accessible, this space is designed to promote mindfulness and peace.

Organization and Functionality

Main Floor Sections

The main floor of the hospice is divided into four different sections, each serving specific functions to meet the needs of children and their families:

1. Common Area and Dining Area: Located to the right of the entrance, this large space serves as a hub for social interaction. It has large communal and dining areas, with access to terraces on either side that allow for outdoor dining and gathering. This space is designed to host communal meals, social activities and family gatherings. Behind the central kitchen block, a more private lounge area with comfortable seating and a fireplace offers a cozy retreat for families and visitors.
2. Daily Activity Rooms: On the left side of the main floor, surrounding a smaller courtyard, are rooms dedicated to daily activities. These areas include physiotherapy, art therapy, music therapy and a pool for watsu therapy or snoezelen. A small cinema is also available for recreational activities, allowing children to participate in various therapeutic and leisure activities in a supportive environment.
3. Accommodation for Clients: The third section is dedicated to accommodation, with ten rooms for children, each with a small private terrace overlooking the large central courtyard. This layout promotes a sense of privacy while remaining connected to communal areas. The nurses’ station is conveniently located nearby to ensure that care services are easily accessible. Notably, a separate apartment for final farewells includes its own commemorative courtyard, allowing families to say their final goodbyes in a private and tranquil setting, free from interruptions.
4. Circular Corridor Design: A circular hallway runs around the atrium and is generously glazed to provide beautiful views of the trees and sky above. This design element not only enhances the aesthetic quality of the space, but also allows natural light to flood the interior. The corridor is designed for easy movement, accommodating foot traffic, strollers and wheelchairs. It encourages social interaction and provides opportunities for solitude, connecting residents with nature regardless of weather conditions or physical limitations.

Parent Floor

The parents’ floor is accessible via the main staircase or elevator, allowing for ease of movement. This area is intentionally separated from the rest of the hospice operations to provide privacy and a peaceful retreat for parents. The floor includes family rooms with private terraces offering views of the surrounding park and a common room for informal gatherings with other families.

The design takes full advantage of the surrounding terrain, providing direct access to open spaces from the master floor. The large roof terrace offers panoramic views of Brno and can be used for social events, fundraisers, physical activities, stargazing or just relaxing. The terrace serves as a vital link between families and the natural beauty of the area.

Administrative Area

The administrative section of the hospice is strategically embedded in the grounds and provides a confidential entrance with special service access. This area houses the offices, meeting rooms, technical facilities and storage rooms necessary for the functioning of the hospice. Along the eastern façade of the building, open-air access leads to the memorial courtyard and the room where final goodbyes are said, further emphasizing the facility’s focus on both caring for and respecting families during difficult times.

Construction and Sustainability

Materials and Aesthetics

Monolithic reinforced concrete was used in the construction of the building, preferred for its durability and aesthetic qualities. The concrete gray polished plaster is complemented by larch wood paneling, creating a warm and inviting atmosphere. Large-format glazing in wooden frames enhances natural light and connects the interior to the surrounding landscape. Prominent overhangs in the monolithic ceilings provide shade for terraces and entrances, contributing to both comfort and energy efficiency.

Heating and Cooling Systems

The Hospice uses a sophisticated heating and cooling system managed through a ductwork system embedded in concrete and fiber cement ceilings. This system is supported by three air-to-water heat pumps concealed in the facade niches of the underground floor, providing efficient climate control throughout the building.

Green Roof and Rainwater Management

Sustainability is a key focus of the design. Living roofs covered with soil and greenery help prevent the interior from overheating, collect rainwater and slow its runoff. This not only increases the ecological footprint of the building, but also helps it blend seamlessly with the surrounding landscape. Excess rainwater is collected in a large underground tank that supplies water to the garden pond and irrigates the trees and lawn in the courtyard, promoting a sustainable ecosystem.

At its core, Julia Children’s Hospice exemplifies a modern sanctuary designed with compassion and care. Prioritizing the well-being of children and their families, the hospice offers a supportive environment that fosters peace and connection during challenging times. Through thoughtful architecture that integrates nature and community, this facility stands as a testament to its commitment to improving the quality of life for its young residents.

As the project moves towards completion, it represents a significant advance in the field of pediatric palliative care and sets a new standard for facilities that prioritize emotional support, family engagement and holistic healing in a calm and nurturing environment.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Julia Child Care Center?

Julia Children’s Care Home is a private healthcare facility located in Brno-sever, Czech Republic. Designed by CTYRSTEN, the facility aims to provide compassionate care for children with life-limiting conditions and support for their families.

When will the Hospice be completed?

The construction of the Hospice is scheduled to be completed in 2024. The design focuses on creating a serene environment that enhances the quality of life for its young residents.

What are the main architectural features?

The Hospice has a unique layout with communal areas, activity rooms and accommodation for children. It is designed to integrate harmoniously with its natural surroundings, with a sheltered inner courtyard and a rooftop walkway leading to a meditation spot.

How is the interior designed?

The interior is thoughtfully organized into different sections, including a large communal dining area, daily activity rooms for therapies and private accommodations for children. Wide glazed circular corridors offer views of nature and promote a sense of connection with the outdoors.

What facilities are available for families?

The hospice has family rooms with private terraces, a communal space for informal gatherings and private spaces for final goodbyes, allowing families to spend quality time together in a supportive environment.

How does the design address sustainability?

The building uses monolithic reinforced concrete complemented by larch wood paneling and large windows for durability. Living roofs help manage rainwater, reduce overheating and increase the ecological footprint of the building.

What heating and cooling systems are in place?

Hospice uses a duct system for heating and cooling, supported by air-to-water heat pumps embedded in the ceilings. This system ensures energy efficiency and comfort throughout the facility.

How does the Hospice encourage interaction with nature?

The design provides easy access to outdoor spaces, including terraces and a roof garden. The circular layout encourages movement and provides opportunities for children and families to connect with nature, regardless of weather conditions or mobility.

What is the purpose of the meditation point?

The rooftop meditation spot serves as a quiet retreat for parents and caregivers, offering a space for reflection and peace amidst the challenges of caregiving.

My thoughts about Julia Child Care Home

Julia Child Care Home is a remarkable example of compassionate architecture designed to provide a nurturing environment for children and their families during difficult times. Its careful integration with nature and focus on emotional well-being reflects a deep understanding of the needs of its residents. This innovative facility not only addresses healthcare, but also enhances quality of life through its design and amenities.

What are your thoughts on this inspiring project? Do you believe the design effectively promotes a sense of comfort and community for families? Are there particular aspects of the hospice that resonate with you? Feel free to share your feedback with us!

Architect: CTYRSTEN
Architectural Style: Nature Oriented Contemporary
Year: 2024
Location: Trtílkova 297/5, 612 00 Brno, Czech Republic