Fundación Kālida, Barcelona
Fundación Kālida, the first Maggie’s centre in mainland Europe, is a unique building designed by Benedetta Tagliabue – EMBT Architects. In partnership with Roca, Kālida exemplifies the commitment of both organizations towards the betterment of society through well-being and innovation.
| Project type | Health and landscape |
| Location | Barcelona, Spain |
| Architects | Benedetta Tagliabue – EMBT Architects |
| Interior Designer | Patricia Urquiola |
| Promoters | Fundació Nous Cims, Fundació Privada Hospital de la Santa Creu i Sant Pau, Fundació de Gestió Sanitària de l’Hospital de la Santa Creu i Sant Pau |
| Roca Products | |
| Sofia basins, compact Meridian WC, Lanta and Targa faucets, Luna mirror, Hotels accessories, In-Wall installation systems, Paris Kitchen Sink, Rock Art Black and White Hexagon Roca Tiles | |
Context: a healing architectural gem
Kālida Sant Pau, designed by Benedetta Tagliabue - EMBT Architects, is part of the international Maggie’s network of centres dedicated to providing free care and emotional and practical support to people with cancer and their families. Nestled within the historic precincts of the Sant Pau Hospital, Kālida Sant Pau is a pioneering architectural gem. It highlights the healing power of architecture and is deeply influenced by the architect’s personal experience with cancer, having supported her partner, Enric Miralles, through the illness.
Roca’s commitment to society and local communities is demonstrated by its active involvement in various social initiatives worldwide. Joining the ranks of several Spanish brands from the furniture, lighting and decoration sectors, Roca extended its support to this project by donating bathroom fittings, accessories, and tiles to enhance the facility's bathrooms and make a meaningful impact on the lives of those affected by cancer.
Commission: a tranquil haven for therapeutic experiences
Benedetta Tagliabue – EMBT Architects harnesses the therapeutic potential of architecture and design. With the main objective being to improve the quality of life of people with cancer, this project seamlessly blends into its surroundings and houses spaces for communal experiences and the sharing of emotions.
Situated between the historic hospital building by Domènech i Muntaner and the new buildings, the Kālida Sant Pau Centre’s ground floor is designed as a fan-shaped space open to the surrounding garden. A double-height dining room serves as the central area providing a welcoming space for relaxation with large windows overlooking the garden. In collaboration with Patricia Urquiola who generously contributed to the project introducing some of her beautiful design pieces, the interior design is a combination of soothing neutral tones to promote relaxation combined with splashes of colour to bring in some optimism. This design philosophy carries through to the two bathrooms, where thoughtfully chosen Roca fixtures effortlessly blend into the exquisitely designed environment.
Responding to the need for privacy, the flexible floor plan allows for several smaller rooms to be created through sliding doors, each room with views of the garden and the adjacent modernist hospital building. The façade incorporates ceramic latticework offering a sense of transparency.
Benedetta Tagliabue – EMBT Architects harnesses the therapeutic potential of architecture and design. With the main objective being to improve the quality of life of people with cancer, this project seamlessly blends into its surroundings and houses spaces for communal experiences and the sharing of emotions.
Situated between the historic hospital building by Domènech i Muntaner and the new buildings, the Kālida Sant Pau Centre’s ground floor is designed as a fan-shaped space open to the surrounding garden. A double-height dining room serves as the central area providing a welcoming space for relaxation with large windows overlooking the garden. In collaboration with Patricia Urquiola who generously contributed to the project introducing some of her beautiful design pieces, the interior design is a combination of soothing neutral tones to promote relaxation combined with splashes of colour to bring in some optimism. This design philosophy carries through to the two bathrooms, where thoughtfully chosen Roca fixtures effortlessly blend into the exquisitely designed environment.
Responding to the need for privacy, the flexible floor plan allows for several smaller rooms to be created through sliding doors, each room with views of the garden and the adjacent modernist hospital building. The façade incorporates ceramic latticework offering a sense of transparency.
Collaboration: harmonising design and accessibility
The bathroom is a welcoming space with the floor and walls covered with floral tiles and white ceramic pieces, completed with elegant Roca fixtures and custom-made wooden elements. The soft geometries of the Roca sanitaryware not only complement the organic architecture of Kálida, but they also address the design requirements with user-friendly solutions, blending aesthetics and accessibility.
Roca’s Meridian wall-hung toilet’s minimalist design seamlessly complements the sleek look of the PL6 dual flush plate. Its easy-to-use chrome-finished controls offer maximum convenience and blend perfectly with other bathroom fixtures. The chrome finish adds a modern touch to the bathroom and creates a striking contrast with the brown floral design, elevating the overall design. When combined with accessories from the Hotels collection in the same chrome finish, it completes the look.
In addition, the Sofia basin boasts generous dimensions, providing maximum practicality and comfort. The Lanta high-neck faucet complements the basin beautifully, its pure and slim lines harmonising perfectly with the rectangular shape of the basin. Meticulously designed to achieve the ideal balance between the body, spout, and lever, the Lanta faucet ensures a comfortable and effortless experience for the user. The synergy between Roca’s well-thought-out fittings and the overall design of this project creates a practical and visually appealing bathroom.
The bathroom on the first-floor features Roca fixtures selected from the Access and Victoria Pro collections, and were chosen for their ergonomic, versatile and sophisticated solutions. Among the fixtures featured are a folding grab bar with built-in toilet roll holder, the Victoria Pro faucet with a specially crafted handle for individuals with reduced mobility, and the Access wall-hung basin.
The bathroom is a welcoming space with the floor and walls covered with floral tiles and white ceramic pieces, completed with elegant Roca fixtures and custom-made wooden elements. The soft geometries of the Roca sanitaryware not only complement the organic architecture of Kálida, but they also address the design requirements with user-friendly solutions, blending aesthetics and accessibility.
Roca’s Meridian wall-hung toilet’s minimalist design seamlessly complements the sleek look of the PL6 dual flush plate. Its easy-to-use chrome-finished controls offer maximum convenience and blend perfectly with other bathroom fixtures. The chrome finish adds a modern touch to the bathroom and creates a striking contrast with the brown floral design, elevating the overall design. When combined with accessories from the Hotels collection in the same chrome finish, it completes the look.
In addition, the Sofia basin boasts generous dimensions, providing maximum practicality and comfort. The Lanta high-neck faucet complements the basin beautifully, its pure and slim lines harmonising perfectly with the rectangular shape of the basin. Meticulously designed to achieve the ideal balance between the body, spout, and lever, the Lanta faucet ensures a comfortable and effortless experience for the user. The synergy between Roca’s well-thought-out fittings and the overall design of this project creates a practical and visually appealing bathroom.
The bathroom on the first-floor features Roca fixtures selected from the Access and Victoria Pro collections, and were chosen for their ergonomic, versatile and sophisticated solutions. Among the fixtures featured are a folding grab bar with built-in toilet roll holder, the Victoria Pro faucet with a specially crafted handle for individuals with reduced mobility, and the Access wall-hung basin.
Completion: a beacon of hope in Maggie’s global network
The project's focus on improving the quality of life for individuals living with cancer is clearly reflected in the flexible layout, use of organic materials, and integration with nature. Roca’s timeless and versatile products adapted perfectly to the needs of this endeavour, bringing harmony and practicality at every step. Fundación Kālida serves as a symbol of hope and support, demonstrating the transformative potential of thoughtful architecture and design.
The project's focus on improving the quality of life for individuals living with cancer is clearly reflected in the flexible layout, use of organic materials, and integration with nature. Roca’s timeless and versatile products adapted perfectly to the needs of this endeavour, bringing harmony and practicality at every step. Fundación Kālida serves as a symbol of hope and support, demonstrating the transformative potential of thoughtful architecture and design.
