The Chinese office of Italian firm Stefano Boeri Architetti (SBA) has won a competition to design what will become China’s largest rehabilitation and physiotherapy centre for people with injuries.
The Shenzhen pilot project will be used by people with disabilities aged between 16 and 60, and will contain accommodation, education and work spaces, as well as a museum and a sports centre. The aim is to provide a range of physical, sensory, intellectual and mental therapies.
Stefano Boeri Architetti China’s design includes the practice’s trademark green spaces, in this case, terraces planted with aromatic herbs and healing plants.
Stefano Boeri, SBA founder, said in a press release: “Our project opens up a new perspective on the architecture of large rehabilitation centres. This is firstly because it perceives the concept of motor and/or cognitive disability not as an example of fragility suffered by a minority of people but as a condition that is common to us all, even if only during one phase of our life.
“Secondly, it offers an idea of total accessibility to spaces and rehabilitation services and thirdly because in recognising the extraordinary therapeutic quality of greenery and nature, it offers an astonishing amount of accessible green and open spaces dedicated to all different styles of rehabilitation.”
Xu Yibo, Stefano Boeri Architects China partner, added: “Though inspired by the dynamism and climate of Shenzhen, Stefano Boeri Architetti China’s intention was to offer a kind of architecture capable of offering the strength and stability of classic design.
“In fact, our rehabilitation center will be able to blend nature and landscape in search of the mature, safe and welcoming character of the city.”