Vital Park - Hospic Among Trees

Project idea

Vital Park Urpín is a hospice-centered architectural proposal that redefines how end-of-life care is spatially and socially approached in Slovakia. Situated on the forested slope of Urpín Hill in Banská Bystrica, the project responds to the lack of dignified hospice environments by creating a place where the concepts of nature, time, and presence become integral parts of healing and farewell. Rather than functioning as an isolated institution, the hospice is designed as an open yet protected space — emotionally supportive, spiritually grounded, and spatially fluid.
The architectural core of the project is a modular hospice complex composed of four volumes: a healthcare wing, a community wing, and two residential wings organized around a central green atrium with a contemplative chapel. This layout enables the coexistence of privacy and connection, stillness and shared presence. The chapel — inward-facing, with one symbolic view into nature — becomes a space of introspection, ritual, and calm.
While the broader site hosts complementary therapeutic and educational facilities, it is the hospice that serves as the spatial and emotional anchor of the design. Through soft terrain modeling, natural materiality, and carefully framed views, the architecture affirms life even in its final moments. It does not aim to erase suffering, but to transform it into something bearable, meaningful, and shared.

Project description

The heart of the project lies in the hospice, located at the highest and most peaceful part of the site — fully immersed in nature, with minimal exposure to traffic or noise. Its position enhances psychological well-being and ensures a sense of calm seclusion. The building provides 13 residential units with private sanitary facilities, generous natural light, and direct outdoor access. A central atrium serves as a green microclimate and therapeutic courtyard, reinforcing spatial orientation and mental clarity for patients, staff, and visitors alike.
The spatial layout of the hospice promotes intuitive navigation, separation of circulation routes, and strong visual connections to the surrounding forest. Functional zones — medical, communal, residential, and spiritual — are distinct yet interconnected, creating an integrated experience of care. The building is timber-framed, with green roofing, high-performance glazing, and natural ventilation strategies to support a low-stress, sensorially balanced atmosphere.
While the hospice is the main architectural object, the surrounding site supports its mission with additional elements: a rehabilitation center, wellness zone, and community pavilions. These enhance the human ecosystem of care, providing physical therapy, respite, and quiet interaction with nature. The entire design respects the land, prioritizes emotional needs, and gives form to the values of presence, reconciliation, and dignity.

Technical information

The hospice is based on a modular timber-frame construction system with a clear orthogonal grid. The structural logic allows for flexibility in room arrangements and seamless integration with the sloping terrain. Roofs are designed as intensive green systems, which regulate internal temperatures and visually merge the building into the landscape. The wooden framework, combined with earth-toned finishes, reinforces a sense of natural belonging.
All residential rooms are fully accessible, equipped with private bathrooms, and offer uninterrupted views into greenery, which have been shown to improve patient comfort and reduce anxiety. The façade system is composed of triple-glazed panels for thermal and acoustic control, paired with hidden gutters and shading devices. Spatial organization is based on differentiated movement: patients, visitors, and staff follow independent paths to ensure both privacy and efficiency.
The hospice’s compact footprint and green integration reflect a commitment to sustainability, human scale, and dignity in design. Total built area is approximately 5,575 m², with a site coverage of just 14%, allowing the natural environment to remain dominant and healing in its own right.