The concept for the new nursing home in Rovereto (Italy) envisions the new architecture not as a mere aggregation of assisted residences but as a collection of homes forming a true urban neighborhood. The project conveys the image of a village: by proposing an architecture that recalls a residential rather than a hospital typology, it pursues the dual objective of easing the transition from the residents’ previous homes — an often traumatic change — and providing the city with a new structure that integrates seamlessly into the existing urban fabric.

The residential functions required by the competition brief are distributed across six above-ground buildings. One of these, centrally positioned, houses the social areas and administrative offices, while the remaining five accommodate the five residential units. From a volumetric perspective, these six buildings, identical in size and volume, take on the iconic shape of a pitched-roof house.

The site plan follows a checkerboard layout, alternating built and open spaces, where architecture and nature exist in a balanced dialogue. Each building is paired with an adjacent open space, creating a network of public outdoor areas accessible to residents but also to staff, visitors, and the wider Rovereto community. Each of these spaces serves a distinct function: at the center, a square acts as a primary meeting place, while the others feature an orchard, a sports area, a community garden, a woodland, and a greenhouse.

Designed with a square floor plan, the pavilions rise three stories above ground, with an attic level dedicated to technical systems. The ground floor is designed for management and social activities, while the first and second floors house the residents’ rooms. This functional distribution echoes the traditional distinction between the living and sleeping areas typical of single-family homes. Lastly, to facilitate wayfinding for both residents and visitors, each pavilion is identified through color: the ground floor of each building features a unique color, applied to the door and window frames, outdoor furniture, and sunshades.