A pediatric clinic is often a child’s first encounter with the world of healthcare – a space that can shape early associations with care, trust, and healing. This project reimagines that experience by transforming a compact 69 square meter space into a serene, emotionally intuitive environment where children feel safe, curious, and engaged.
Drawing inspiration from the forest and the starry sky, the design by iy Synapsis Architects replaces the clinical with the organic. Soft curves, earthy materials, and biophilic references form a spatial narrative rooted in nature’s calm unpredictability. The architecture speaks in a quiet voice – inviting touch, exploration, and rest.
The linear geometry of the floor plan, with natural light streaming from a single elongated façade, guided the spatial organization. Key programmatic elements – the reception, waiting area, and examination room – were arranged along this light-filled axis. Transitions between functions were softened through curved surfaces and subtle variations in materials and textures.
A sculptural, two-layered mural of oak wood and green lacquer spans the main wall. Abstractly evoking a forest, it conceals doors to private spaces while integrating the clinic’s essential storage and library. Custom alcoves along this wall form semi-enclosed, womb-like nooks – spaces for quiet play or retreat that offer physical and emotional shelter. These design gestures create a sense of spatial intimacy while maintaining openness.
The waiting area becomes a dynamic ‘landscape’ of play, composed of movable seating with organic shapes that invite interaction. These floating, sculptural forms encourage movement, climbing, and casual engagement -turning waiting into an active part of the visit. Parents and children share a space that feels informal, warm, and alive.
The examination room continues the material language of the public areas – wood cladding, green tones, and soft lighting – ensuring a seamless experience. A thematic wallpaper featuring a forest scene with animals adds both visual comfort and narrative continuity, gently distracting young patients during medical procedures.
Above, a ceiling composition of circular recesses in soft, matte tones hints at a starry sky. These lights, scattered seemingly at random, provide diffused illumination that shifts attention upward and adds a quiet sense of wonder. Throughout the space, lighting remains indirect and atmospheric, echoing sunlight filtered through leaves – a deliberate move away from harsh, clinical glare.
In every corner of the clinic, design and storytelling come together to redefine pediatric healthcare architecture. This is more than a place for treatment – it’s a spatial embrace, where architecture gently supports the emotional needs of children and families. A retreat shaped by care, curiosity, and imagination.
