Fridolina Haus der Barmherzigkeit
Fridolina
Haus der Barmherzigkeit, Austria
About the Project
Located in Vienna’s 16th district, Fridolina at Haus der Barmherzigkeit (House of Mercy) is a pioneering residential care facility for children and young people with complex, life-limiting illnesses. Since opening in November 2023, the centre has provided long-term, short-term, transitional, and palliative care in a warm, home-like setting. Designed to move away from the clinical atmosphere of traditional hospitals, Fridolina offers a safe, nurturing environment tailored to the diverse needs of children aged 0–18.
The residential area features 14 single rooms, additional sleeping accommodations for family members, and a variety of communal spaces for therapy, leisure, and education. A spacious terrace invites young residents to relax and unwind.
Design Goals
The architectural and interior design, led by KDA ZT GmbH, focused on creating a therapeutic, age-appropriate setting that balances advanced medical care with emotional comfort. The design aimed to support wayfinding and sensory engagement through colour and texture, while ensuring durability and hygiene in high-traffic areas. Surfaces needed to withstand frequent wear and tear and be easy to clean and maintain, without compromising the welcoming atmosphere of the space.
Solution
Rounded design elements, quiet alcoves, and tactile features contribute to a pleasant living environment and provide sensory stimulation. Stylised animal motifs, inspired by vegetation zones such as jungle, desert, savanna, and steppe, aid orientation while creating a playful and calming environment.
To protect surfaces and ensure durability in the facility’s busiest areas, CS’ Acrovyn wall protection solutions were specified, building on their proven performance at the House of Mercy hospital for more than a decade. For the Fridolina project, more than 200 m² of Acrovyn PVC-Free Sheet (1.5mm thick) was installed to half-wall height in corridors and around the reception desk. In some areas, sheets were cut into strips and arranged in four complementary colours – Taupe, Tan Bark, Golden Yellow, and Earth – adding visual interest and supporting wayfinding. Elsewhere, impact-resistant sheet in a single colour were used to create a more uniform look.
Doors were also fitted with protective Acrovyn Sheet and bespoke Acrovyn by Design panels featuring safari animal motifs, aligning with the facility’s nature-inspired design theme. Vulnerable corners were safeguarded with SO-50 corner guards were, installed to match the height of the wall protection.
Expertly fitted by CS partner Polydecor, Acrovyn products contributed to a durable, hygienic, and visually engaging environment – supporting Fridolina’s mission to deliver care without compromise in a space that truly feels like home.
