Humanization of Hospital Care

As part of the launch of Barcelona as World Capital of Architecture 2026, on February 12 the Enric Miralles Foundation hosted the discussion “Hospital Humanization: Care and Well-being in Healthcare Settings,” part of the “Architecture for Human, Urban, and Planetary Well-being” program. This event offered an in-depth reflection on the humanization of hospital spaces and the influence of the built environment on people’s emotional, physical, and social health.

From an interdisciplinary perspective, the session analyzed how architectural design impacts the experience of patients, family members, and healthcare professionals. Through firsthand accounts and expert insights from the fields of healthcare and hospital management, a space for dialogue was created that highlights the need to build environments that are more welcoming, accessible, and attuned to human needs.

“Hospital Humanization” was part of the discussion series accompanying the exhibition “Healing Architectures: Designing Spaces of Care,” which presented the results of the Yale School of Architecture’s Spring 2025 Advanced Studio led by Benedetta Tagliabue (Louis I. Kahn Visiting Professor of Architectural Design) and Can Vu Bui (Yale professor and critic).

This exhibition explored how architecture can become a key tool for providing emotional and physical support to people affected by cancer, using the students’ work to explore the design of a new Kálida Center in Barcelona, adjacent to Vall d’Hebron University Hospital, based on the philosophy of the Maggie Centers.

The dialogue is part of the program “Architecture for Human, Urban, and Planetary Well-being,” promoted by the Enric Miralles Foundation. It is a platform for research and debate that explores the transformative role of architecture in addressing major contemporary challenges.

Speakers:

– MARI ÀNGELS ACEITUNO
Assistant Director of Nursing and Head of the Humanization Committee, Vall d’Hebron University Hospital

– VÍCTOR GASSÓ
Assistant Director of Construction, Vall d’Hebron University Hospital

– JÚLIA ARENY
Head of Marketing, Vall d’Hebron University Hospital

– JOAN REVENTÓS
Director of the Kálida Sant Pau Center

This event is part of the program for Barcelona 2026 World Capital of Architecture, a distinction awarded by UNESCO and the International Union of Architects (UIA) to the city hosting the UIA World Congress of Architects, and transforms it into a global forum for architecture, urban planning, and landscape architecture. From February 12 to December 13, a multidisciplinary program will be presented in collaboration with schools, universities, and professional and cultural organizations throughout Catalonia.

Barcelona 2026 World Capital of Architecture is supported by the Barcelona City Council, the Government of Catalonia, and the Ministry of Housing and Urban Development.