Funchal Children Center

Local partners
Mayers Selders

The project avoids the scale of a large urban block and instead adopts a fragmented composition resembling smaller houses sitting along the topography. Pre- existing terraces are used to organize the program, creating natural privacy gradients across recessed floor levels.

At street level, the entrance platform aligns with the sidewalk, removing the boundary wall and ensuring full accessibility. This floor hosts the most public functions: reception, administration, social services, and the family visiting room. The reception is conceived as an informal living space to reduce stress in urgent cases. The visiting room connects both to the reception and directly to an exterior terrace above dedicated parking spots. Common areas occupy the first floor, arranged in two volumes linked by vertical circulation that creates dynamic outdoor terraces. The dining room and pantry open to a covered south‑facing terrace, while the multipurpose, media room, and library use movable panels for flexible configurations. These spaces connect to the outdoor auditorium and rooftop playground. Staff rest and meeting rooms sit at the intersection of children’s common areas for continuous supervision. Bedrooms are split into two volumes to create hierarchy and privacy across age groups.

Facades are ventilated timber cladding for high thermal performance, while standardized glazed openings balance openness and privacy. Local stone and wood minimize maintenance, and durable interior materials support daily use. Water and energy systems prioritize efficiency, with gravity‑fed water storage and photovoltaic panels powering hot water and small electrical needs.