Architecture that heals

All great architectural projects tell a story. The story of its origin, its process, its construction, its purpose or the history of its existence. There are projects that tell stories and others that are the story itself.

Architecture only exists by and for people. Architecture in the healthcare sector, in particular, exists to improve the way people live and relate to each other and to spaces.

World Architecture Day – October 7, 2019

Today, World Architecture Day, it makes sense to look at its mission. And at the epicenter of its mission are projects and people. There is progress and healing. Because architecture can heal.

A great example of dedication in this area is the professional career of American architect Michael Murphy, who when he was young went through a remarkable situation with his father, who was diagnosed with cancer at the time, in which architecture became a starting point for a new way of thinking.

“When my father told me that day that this house — our house — had saved his life, what I didn’t know was that he was referring to a much deeper relationship between architecture and ourselves. Buildings are not simply expressive sculptures. They make visible our personal and our collective aspirations as a society. Great architecture can give us hope. Great architecture can heal.” – Michael Murphy

Michael Murphy is, today, an architect and co-founder of the reference MASS Design Group. His way of designing proves that there is much more than a clever arrangement of bricks, because the desire to do something different leads him to create considering factors that often go unnoticed, such as the importance of air circulation and lighting. His team does much more than just beautiful buildings, creating a holistic approach and connection with its stakeholders.

With social projects in countries such as Rwanda or Haiti, this visionary architect seeks to design innovative buildings that improve people's lives in an immeasurable way. On certain occasions, especially when the project is for a less favored region, the development of the project is thought of as an opportunity to invest in the dignity of the place where it serves. With this, they request the collaboration of the local community, generating labor, in addition to building spaces that have a little of the history of those who helped build the structure.

In an extensive portfolio of major projects in different locations around the world, Rwanda's community accommodation stands out, awarded in 2016:

Community accommodation in Rwanda

But there are many more architectural projects! Now see:

GHESKIO Tuberculosis Hospital

GHESKIO Tuberculosis Hospital

Health Care Facility Josefho

Health Care Facility Josefhof

Butaro Doctors’ Sharehouse

Butaro Doctors' Sharehouses

Today, architecture day, this was the story we chose to show. But nothing better than being told in the first person: