The project originates from the Hospital Universitari Vall d'Hebron's vision to expand its Rehabilitation service into a more generous and functional space. This intervention required relocating the chapel—originally adjacent to the gymnasium—to a new site within the main building.
The new chapel is accessed via a recessed, setback pathway intentionally designed to transition users away from the bustling main entrance into a sanctuary of calm and contemplation. Special emphasis was placed on creating a warm, inviting atmosphere through the use of natural wood and indirect wall-washing illumination, complemented by focal accent lighting to highlight key areas such as the altar. The resulting space offers a serene environment for recollection and reflection for both patients and visitors.
The renovated rehabilitation department is organized around a spacious, light-filled central hall dedicated to the general gym, maximizing the intake of natural daylight through the existing windows. Along the corridor-facing wall, the structural depth created by the columns and MEP risers is cleverly utilized to integrate seamless storage cabinetry, while shaping a distinct, welcoming threshold at the entrance.
The ends of the layout house programs requiring greater privacy, such as digital rehabilitation workflows and occupational therapy zones tailored for practicing and relearning activities of daily living (ADLs).
Furthermore, the corridor itself is integrated into the clinical program as an active therapy asset. Equipped with support handrails and a full-length mirror, it allows patients to practice gait training and visually correct their posture, while simultaneously expanding the spatial perception of the area.
To minimize construction waste, the project relies heavily on high-performance dry construction systems. The material palette features a seamless, resilient flooring solution, impact-resistant wall claddings, and an accessible suspended ceiling grid designed to streamline the future maintenance of the building’s technical systems.
