Playful architecture humanizes children's hospitals: Juegaterapia Foundation

The Fundación Juegaterapia, a nonprofit founded in 2010 and based in Madrid, transforms pediatric hospital spaces through playful architecture and design. Led by Esther Pereira, the foundation creates rooftop gardens with play elements at Madrid's Hospital La Paz, Hospital 12 de Octubre, and Hospital Gregorio Marañón, as well as at Hospital La Fe in Valencia. It also builds small cinemas in pediatric wards and converts rooms into 'lunar stations' with cheerful, space-themed decor. The foundation designs custom furniture—trees, spaceships, cloud-shaped lamps, and medical-use items—using pastel color palettes chosen for emotional comfort during long stays. Spaces target ages 3 to 16, including adolescents. Pereira notes that while video game consoles are central, other stimuli are incorporated. The foundation's signature projects are rooftop gardens (about 1,000 square meters) and cinemas with theater seats and large screens, offering weekend movie experiences. Juegaterapia claims to be a European pioneer in rooftop playgrounds. It collaborates with specialized children's space architects. With multiple projects ongoing in Spain, the foundation is set to debut in Portugal.