Fabio Novembre’s studio, in collaboration with the Fondazione De Marchi, has developed an innovative project for the paediatric unit of the Nuovo Policlinico di Milano. Focused on creating the most beautiful paediatric ward in the world, this project aims to create a serene and welcoming environment, ensuring that the stay of children and their families is as pleasant and peaceful as possible.
The design of the most beautiful paediatric ward in the world
A corner of “the most beautiful paediatric ward in the world” was presented in the Cortile Archivio Storico Cà Granda of the Università Statale di Milano. It is an installation aimed at children and their families. Created by Novembre Studio in collaboration with the Fondazione De Marchi ETS.
The project previews the future paediatric ward of the Nuovo Policlinico di Milano, designed to ensure a serene and pleasant stay for young patients and their families.
In fact, the project “The city of children”, by architect Fabio Novembre, is the winner of the competition promoted and financed by the Fondazione De Marchi, which aims to build in Milan “the most beautiful and welcoming paediatric facility in the world”.
During FuoriSalone, this short exhibition was held that highlights the potential of architecture and design as an extraordinary tool to alleviate the emotional impact of very difficult situations in children’s lives, such as illness and hospitalisation.
The design intent of “the most beautiful paediatric ward in the world” seeks to recreate a familiar environment on a scale adapted for children, promoting their connection to the places within the hospital as if they were part of the environment they normally inhabit, their neighbourhood.
In the same way, the layout is configured as a small city protected by a tree-lined avenue with a large ribbon at the centre of the space, the AND design bench designed by Fabio Novembre for Vondom surrounded by the Animal Factory sculpture-plays by Luca Boscardin.
"We don't know how to cure, but we want to care for and accompany them on the road to hospitalisation, harmonising spaces, relieving anxiety and restoring that world of colours that every child carries inside"
— Fabio Novembre —
“Giving the best care but also joy and serenity to hospitalised children is the mission of the Fondazione De Marchi, which for almost forty years has been promoting projects and actions that can improve the quality of life of patients in paediatric hospitals.
We are very proud to contribute to the realisation in Milan of the “most beautiful paediatric hospital in the world” within the premises of the Nuovo Policlinico.
Being present at FuoriSalone with the set-up created by Fabio Novembre anticipates the great joy we will experience when the beautiful new spaces are inaugurated, which will be colourful, functional and highly technological so that, even though they are in hospital, children and their families can feel welcomed and surrounded by beauty, despite the illness and the difficult moments they face during treatment”, says Francesco Iandola, executive director of the Fondazione De Marchi ETS.
The rooms for the paediatric area of the new polyclinic will cover an area of more than 12,000 square metres distributed over three floors and the works, related to the humanisation of the spaces, are scheduled for completion in the spring of 2025.
It is very gratifying for Vondom to have contributed to this important collaboration, the preamble to the creation of “the most beautiful paediatric ward in the world”, a space where children, their families and even medical staff will be able to enjoy the colourful design furniture and at the same time help them to be resilient and feel joy.
