Oncohematological Institute
Fundació Sanitària Mollet

Mollet del Vallès, Spain / Healthcare / 800 m²
2026

Architecture of Care: Humanizing the Oncohematological Experience

In healthcare environments, architectural design should actively promote well-being. When people are vulnerable, their surroundings directly affect how they experience waiting, treatment, and recovery. Therefore, during times of heightened fragility, architecture supports, accompanies, and recognizes the human condition.

In renovating the Oncohematology Institute at the Fundació Sanitària Mollet, we followed the principle of an “Architecture of Care.” This project goes beyond just functional solutions to transform the space into a place of calm. It repurposes former administrative and teaching areas into a caring environment on a domestic scale, shifting away from institutional neutrality to create a warm, inviting atmosphere that welcomes both patients and their families.

The core of the proposal avoids traditional compartmentalization by using elements that create a safe and comfortable space. The treatment stations provide spatial independence and comfort while subtly incorporating medical equipment to minimize the clinical appearance of treatment. The result is a “microenvironment” that is separate from the intensity of the hospital setting, where patients regain a sense of control over their immediate surroundings.

The design approach uses warm materials that engage the senses. The layout of the treatment stations ensures constant access to natural light and visual contact with nature—factors that significantly influence mood and the circadian rhythm. The waiting areas are designed as spaces for active rest, where silence replaces periods often filled with tension.

This intervention not only prioritizes the patient but also honors the work of the healthcare staff, recognizing the space as a balanced meeting point between caregivers and those who are cared for.