The Forest Gateway to Wellbeing

Nanaki Home Care Clinic is a renovation project that transformed a former children’s community center in Yamanashi, Japan, into a home care medical clinic where children and families can feel safe, comfortable, and welcomed.

Rather than creating a typical hospital environment, the project aimed to design a healthcare space that reduces anxiety and brings a sense of calm and reassurance. The design emphasizes hospitality and a connection to nature, creating an atmosphere that supports both physical and emotional well-being.

The design concept is:

“From the Entrance of the Forest to Better Health.”

From the moment visitors arrive, they are welcomed by warm wood textures, soft natural light, calming earth-tone colors, and greenery. The interior is designed to feel more like a small hotel or a home than a conventional medical facility, helping patients and families feel relaxed and at ease.

At the center of the clinic stands a symbolic tree that serves as a visual and emotional focal point, connecting the entire space while supporting the feelings of children and their families.

Special attention was given to the psychological needs of children. Rounded forms, soft colors, and playful design details were incorporated throughout the clinic to reduce the tension often associated with medical environments. While the facility functions as a place for treatment and care, it was also designed as a comfortable and positive experience.

As a renovation project, the clinic also represents a sustainable approach to design. By reusing an existing building familiar to the local community, the project preserves the memories and identity of the place while giving it a new purpose.

The scope of the project extended beyond interior design to include the coordination of lighting, furniture, materials, color planning, signage, and decorative elements, creating a cohesive design language throughout the facility.

In addition, community engagement played an important role in the project. Activities such as collaborative painting events with staff and children helped strengthen connections and foster a sense of belonging.

Nanaki Home Care Clinic seeks to create a healing healthcare environment—one that values not only functionality, but also comfort, warmth, and meaningful human connection.