Casa Verde, a newly renovated women's mental health facility in San Miniato, Italy, is built on a historic property. The original building was a orphanage, and the architects opted to keep much of that structure intact when creating the modern extension around the outside.
True to its name, Casa Verde is covered in a leaf-green facade around the upper story. That facade is composed of perforated metal sheeting, which allows light to enter the building even beyond the windows that are placed all around the walls.
The original building features a small but calming courtyard at its center, and the new renovation chose to keep that courtyard intact. The ground floor reflects that decision, with window decals depicting cartoon flowers in reference to the interior garden.
Calming Care Homes
'Casa Verde' is a Mental Health Facility in an Idyllic Location
Trend Themes
1. Nature-inspired Architecture - Opportunity for architects to incorporate natural elements, such as green facades and interior gardens, to create calming spaces in mental health facilities.
2. Preserving Historic Architecture - Potential for renovating and repurposing historic buildings to create modern extensions that blend the old and the new in innovative ways.
3. Inclusive Design for Mental Health Facilities - Opportunity for architects and designers to create environments that cater specifically to the needs of individuals with mental health conditions, promoting healing and well-being.
Industry Implications
1. Architecture - Architects can explore new design approaches for mental health facilities that prioritize nature, historic preservation, and inclusivity.
2. Mental Health - Mental health industry can adopt innovative approaches to facility design, incorporating nature-inspired and inclusive elements to enhance patient well-being.
3. Construction - Construction companies have opportunities to specialize in renovating historic buildings and incorporating modern extensions that serve specific needs, such as mental health facilities.