17/07/2026
Ten years after the Parc d’Atencions, the paediatric oncology and haematology day hospital we designed for Fundació Small, the new inpatient oncohaematology ward at Hospital Universitari Vall d’Hebron (Barcelona) opens its doors. Developed with Plasencia Arquitectura since 2021, the project is driven by Fundació Small, Fundació Albert Bosch and Fundación Aladina.
Unlike the day hospital, Honko welcomes children and young people requiring long-term hospitalisation, together with their families and the medical team. Beyond humanising the space, the challenge was to create a warm, liveable environment for people facing emotionally complex situations.
The project began with the naming and creative concept. Honko is a fictional city inspired by East Asia, combining a subtle reference to Hong Kong as a cultural crossroads and ONCO as a nod to oncology. Conceived as a brand rather than a descriptive name, it creates a more human and approachable narrative throughout the ward.
Honko is organised into five themed neighbourhoods inspired by Asian cultures, connected through a metro-inspired wayfinding system that makes orientation part of the experience. A dedicated bad news room was also carefully designed to support the most difficult moments with dignity and sensitivity.
The visual language extends the universe of the Parc d’Atencions, ensuring continuity for patients moving between both facilities. Designed for infants, children, teenagers, families and healthcare professionals alike, Honko balances emotional comfort with functionality through private rooms, sensory and leisure spaces, natural light, warm materials and intuitive signage, transforming the hospital experience into one that feels more welcoming, familiar and human.
The entire case at toormix.com
