This Children’s Hospice House is a Sanctuary of Serenity
ČTYŘSTĚN’s design for the Children’s Hospice House for Julia in Brno, Czech Republic represents a thoughtful architectural response to sensitive care environments, embodying peace, acceptance, humility, and harmony. Discreetly nestled within the natural contours of an existing park, the hospice integrates seamlessly with its surroundings, offering an oasis of calm for children and their families. Through meticulous spatial organization and material selection, the design fosters a deep connection with nature, while creating a sanctuary that respects the emotional complexities inherent in end-of-life care.
The building’s placement within a natural amphitheater anchors it to the landscape, protecting its inner courtyard and maintaining a tranquil setting. Preserved mature trees and a small pond populate this central space, forming a vital element of the design as all children’s rooms and communal spaces open onto this courtyard. This intentional orientation maximizes the therapeutic benefits of natural light, greenery, and reflective water, offering solace and serenity. A rooftop walkway, accessible from the parents’ floor, leads to a meditation spot atop a hill, further deepening the design’s focus on peaceful contemplation.
The hospice’s spatial organization consists of four distinct sections. Upon entering, visitors are greeted by a large communal and dining area, designed to accommodate social activities and gatherings. This multifunctional space, with terraces on either side, not only serves as a hub for visitors and communal meals but also provides more intimate, quieter areas for families, complete with lounge seating and a fireplace.
On the opposite side of the entrance, the second section houses spaces dedicated to daily therapeutic activities. This includes physiotherapy rooms, a pool for Watsu therapy, a Snoezelen space, and even a small cinema, allowing children and families to engage in sensory and artistic experiences that promote healing and connection.
The heart of the hospice, however, is its accommodation wing, comprising 10 children’s rooms, each with a private terrace. These rooms, along with a nurse’s station and a unique apartment designed for last farewells, encircle the central courtyard. This farewell apartment, with its dedicated memorial atrium and chilled room, provides families the opportunity to grieve privately, offering a space for undisturbed reflection during emotionally profound moments.
The circular corridor around the atrium, an essential feature of the design, is fully glazed, allowing light and nature to permeate the interior. This configuration creates fluid, uninterrupted movement for patients and visitors, whether walking, using a stroller, or in a wheelchair. The constant interplay of views, light, and outdoor access supports a sense of liberation, reinforcing the idea that one’s physical condition should not limit engagement with the world outside.
ČTYŘSTĚN’s design takes great care in ensuring that the needs of the families are fully considered. The parents’ floor, separate from the daily operations of the hospice, offers a private refuge. Family rooms feature private terraces with views of the park, and a shared common room facilitates informal interactions between families. Access to the rooftop terrace offers panoramic views of Brno, a space that doubles as a venue for social events, exercise, or simple relaxation under the stars.
Embedded within the natural terrain, the administrative and technical areas are designed to be discreet. Offices, meeting rooms, and service spaces are located on the lower level, with direct access to the memorial atrium and the Room for Last Farewells.
The architectural language of the hospice is defined by its materials, with monolithic reinforced concrete forming the core structure. Concrete is complemented by larch wood paneling and large-format glazing in wooden frames while overhanging ceilings provide passive shading. The use of green roofs and embedded conduit systems for heating and cooling showcases the design’s environmental sensitivity. Rainwater collection systems feed the garden pond and irrigate the courtyard, emphasizing sustainability while maintaining harmony with the surrounding ecosystem.
ČTYŘSTĚN’s Children’s Hospice House for Julia is more than just a building. It is an architecture of empathy—an intimate environment that supports emotional healing and offers peace to those facing life’s most difficult challenges. Through its thoughtful integration of nature, family-focused design, and attention to materiality, the hospice provides a modern sanctuary that fosters dignity, connection, and care in the heart of Brno.
All images © by ČTYŘSTĚN, Alex Shoots Buildings, and Pavel Barták. Feel free to find other trending architecture from around the globe on WE AND THE COLOR.
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