The Carcavelos Health Complex is designed by local studios Simão Botlelho, Studio-J, and Duoma. It is located in Lisbon, Portugal, and comprises of a curved concrete canopy and a public garden. It fuses four health services nestled in a single building which was a result of a public architecture that took place in 2018. The garden comprises a cafe, a playground, a covered section, and events and community vegetable gardens.
The team explains the design process to Dezeen, sharing "We used the building briefing as an excuse to give back to the local inhabitants and the city a qualified piece of man-made nature that can inspire the building's users. These [gardens] can be used for leisure as well as for social prescribing by doctors, responding to non-medical needs by linking health services and community resources to promote health and wellbeing. More than designing a building itself, we believe we designed a garden for the city."
Image Credit: Francisco Nogueira
Why This Trend Is Growing
- Integrative Health Spaces
- Integrative health spaces combine medical services with community-focused areas, fostering holistic well-being and social engagement.
- Urban Community Gardens
- Urban community gardens within health complexes provide a multi-functional setting that enhances therapeutic outcomes and promotes social connections.
- Social Prescribing Initiatives
- Social prescribing initiatives link health infrastructure with community resources, addressing non-medical needs to encourage overall health.
Industries Being Reshaped
- Healthcare Architecture
- Healthcare architecture is evolving to create spaces that integrate natural elements and community interaction to boost patient recovery and community well-being.
- Urban Planning
- Urban planning now frequently incorporates green spaces within public health facilities to foster a healthier and more connected urban environment.
- Community Development
- Community development prioritizes creating versatile public spaces that serve both healthcare needs and community-building activities.
