(formerly: Wielkopolska Children’s Health Center)
Industria developed comprehensive design documentation for the Wielkopolska Pediatric Center in Poznań, one of the largest pediatric healthcare investments completed in Poland. The project was conceived with the aim of creating a facility that provides comprehensive medical care for children, while also accommodating the needs of their families and recognizing the impact of the environment on the healing process.
Between 2016 and 2021, Industria was responsible for preparing the Functional-Utility Program (PFU), detailed concept, building design along with securing the building permit, executive design, and author’s supervision. The documentation encompassed all engineering disciplines, including architecture, structural engineering, MEP (mechanical, electrical, and plumbing), civil/road infrastructure, as well as medical and non-medical technology.
Featuring a usable floor area of nearly 36,000 m² and a gross volume exceeding 176,000 m³, the facility was designed as a modern pediatric hospital integrating diagnostic, therapeutic, rehabilitative, and educational functions. The center consolidated the operations of several previously separate facilities, creating one of the most technologically advanced pediatric treatment centers in Poland.
The design provided for 354 hospital beds across nine wards, including a highly specialized infectious disease ward adapted for treating patients with highly contagious illnesses. The facility also features an Emergency Department (ED), an integrated operating suite with five operating rooms, and a modern endoscopy unit.
A fundamental premise of the project was creating a healing environment. Moving away from the traditional hospital model, the space was designed to be child- and family-friendly. Single-patient rooms were equipped with accommodations for parents, wards were enhanced with playrooms and educational spaces, and the building includes a hotel, relaxation zones, dining areas, and family gathering spaces.
Another key element of the concept was deliberate spatial planning. The hospital was situated in a quiet setting, with the site development incorporating a courtyard patio, a garden above the main entrance, green areas, and a playground. A colorful facade and customized wayfinding with visual identification for individual floors were implemented to alleviate the stress of hospital stays and facilitate navigation throughout the building.
The project also encompassed extensive diagnostic and technical facilities, including an imaging diagnostics department, laboratories, histopathology, a hospital pharmacy, a teaching and conference center, and the full technical infrastructure required to operate a modern, highly specialized hospital.
A central challenge was combining an extensive functional program with complex technological, medical, and architectural requirements while preserving a welcoming atmosphere. Special attention was paid to acoustics, spatial organization, and user comfort to create an environment that supports treatment, rehabilitation, and the everyday well-being of children and their families.