Padilla Nicas Arquitectos has designed the Rooftop Garden of the O'Donnell Maternity Hospital in Madrid, Spain.

This project was a motivational initiative by the Juegaterapia Foundation which produced and submitted a successful proposal to occupy the roof of the O'Donnell Maternity Hospital and begin its transformation into a playground so that hospitalised children can play outdoors.

"We would like to think that the result is perceived as abstract and dreamlike, intentionally alien to other known spaces and with the ability for each child to project their imagination and fantasy onto it, finding their own space for play and fun outdoors away from [their] daily routine," said founder Padilla Nicas.

The glazed envelope of the hospital, neutral and calm, constitutes the backdrop of the colourful and unexpected proposal. On the horizontal and organised roof, the multi-coloured spots order the exterior spaces of the garden in a vivid way and strongly contrast with the original building.

This colourful and unexpected space aims to improve the day-to-day life of children and their families, with the intention of facilitating mutual encounters and accelerating their recovery.

This project has been longlisted in the rebirth project category of Dezeen Awards 2022.

Designer: Padilla Nicas Arquitectos

Project: Rooftop Garden of the O'Donnell Maternity Hospital