Mirandela Hospital Unit

The Nordial Medical Center  was designed from the beginning to transcend the typical technical and functional hospital organization. As this is a condition that conditions the patient to enjoy the building for life, we sought to create spaces that promoted a greater sense of well-being, welcoming and autonomy.
The constant evolution of medicine and technologies required that the project be designed in order to follow and adapt this evolution, enabling its longevity. The spaces were designed with minimal visual barriers, allowing, on the one hand, free circulation, and, on the other, the necessary flexibility to adapt the building in the future to new technical requirements.
The amplitude of these spaces also allowed the creation of larger openings, allowing the penetration of natural light into the interior and providing the patient with a connection to the outside, a principle that guided the entire project. This concern represents a change in the patient’s experience through a humanized approach that promotes greater well-being when received in an environment that is connected to the outside world. The exterior walls were covered with vegetation, integrating with the surrounding environment.
Considering the complexity and nature of the treatments that take place here, the humanization of the space was a priority. In this sense, visual arts played a crucial role, providing a more welcoming and comforting atmosphere for patients. A collaboration was established with visual artists, inviting them to enrich the center’s environment. Painter Graça Morais represented natural elements in a mural, creating a moment of contemplation for patients and connection with their own cultural roots.
By focusing on the connection between indoor and outdoor spaces, it was possible to provide a more welcoming and comforting experience for patients, connecting them with nature. In this way, we sought to transcend the physical barriers of the building and its limitations, providing a more therapeutic process that boosts the well-being of patients for a better quality of life.