Four years after designing Colibrí, my interior design capstone, I came across Buildner’s International Architectural Competition for a Hospice: Home for the Terminally Ill, edition 3. The project brief immediately resonated with me, and I knew I wanted to submit an entry. Upon reviewing my previous work, I realized that while Colibrí incorporated much of the programming requested by the competition, this was an opportunity to reimagine the hospice with fresh insights and a more evolved perspective.
The research conducted for Colibrí was thorough, and we chose to retain the original site to keep the focus on addressing the urgent need for more end-of-life care spaces in Colombia. To refine the design, we sought feedback from healthcare professionals and designers. Their insights informed our new project, Casa Raíz, allowing us to build upon Colibrí's foundation while creating a more thoughtful and responsive environment for compassionate care.
Hospice care is not about surrendering to death, but about honoring life until the very end.It involves creating a space where individuals can embrace their final journey with dignity, compassion, and peace. In a world that often shies away from the reality of death, it is essential to cultivate environments where the end of life is not feared, but respected as a natural and inevitable part of living.
In Colombia, where euthanasia is legal, there is a profound lack of spaces dedicated to compassionate end-of-life care. With only a few hospitals offering palliative care and just one hospice center, there is an urgent need for environments where patients and caregivers can share meaningful moments and continue living fully.
Our hospice, located in La Calera in the Eastern ranges of the Colombian Andes, approximately 11 miles from Bogotá, seeks to address this need by bridging the gap between medical necessity and the innate human desire for warmth and familiarity.
Rooted in the region’s rich natural environment, we have developed a symbolic program inspired by Colombia’s incredible variety of native flowers. Upon arrival, each patient receives a flower that symbolizes their unique identity within the hospice. This flower is planted in the courtyard garden, where patients and caregivers can tend to it, nurture it, and witness its growth. Just as flowers are delicate yet resilient, with strong roots that thrive with care and love, the act of nurturing a plant becomes a metaphor for the patient’s own journey. Engaging with nature, observing growth, and caring for their flower provides emotional solace and a connection to life’s ongoing cycles.
Our vision is to shift the narrative from viewing death as a loss to embracing it as a celebration of life—a natural transformation rather than an end. The use of vibrant colors throughout the hospice challenges the dull, somber tones typically associated with end-of-life care. Instead, lively hues are infused into the space to uplift spirits and remind everyone—patients, caregivers, and healthcare professionals—of the vivid beauty of life.
Central Courtyard
Gable Roof
Flower Garden
Casa Raíz
We have designed spaces that balance solitude with opportunities for shared experiences. In Colombian culture, sharing a meal with family is a cherished tradition. The concept of “sobremesa,” where endless conversations take place around the dining table, is woven into the hospice design through a family kitchen. This space allows family members to cook and share meals with loved ones, bringing the warmth of home into the hospice.
The café serves as a bridge between the hospice and the community. It opens the doors to the public, inviting them to interact with patients and fostering a cultural shift toward seeing death as a topic to be discussed openly, even over a cup of coffee.
Central to our design is the concept of reciprocity of care – we have included spaces to support everyone involved in the care process, such as break rooms for staff to recharge and quiet rooms for family members to retreat and find peace amidst the demands of caregiving.
The hospice is designed with locally sourced and sustainable materials, such as a timber roof and a concrete structure, ensuring durability and environmental compatibility. Curved walls facilitate cross ventilation, maintaining a comfortable indoor environment, while solar panels harness the abundant Colombian sunlight, making the building energy-efficient and environmentally conscious.
The architectural design celebrates Colombian vernacular architecture, emphasizing traditional elements that reflect local culture and environmental conditions. The structure features a timber gable roof with an overhang, providing effective shading and enhancing passive cooling, essential for the region’s climate. This element is typical of the Colombian “finca,” a familiar sight in the area.
At the core of the building is a central courtyard, a significant feature in Colombian architecture. This courtyard is not only a functional space but also a cultural nod to the importance of working the land in Colombia, where farming, gardening, and connection to the earth are deeply ingrained in the national identity and daily life.
Casa Raíz is more than just a place for end-of-life care; it is a sanctuary where people can feel at home and supported in their choices. Here, life is honored and celebrated, connections are nurtured, and the natural cycle of life is embraced with grace and respect.
