The Residential Inclusion Centre (CRI) Hort de la Vila, managed by Sant Joan de Déu Serveis Socials Barcelona, is a benchmark in the care of people experiencing homelessness. Throughout its history, this facility has supported more than 2,000 individuals on their path towards an autonomous life, offering a space where basic needs are met and from which social and labour inclusion, physical and mental health, and the restoration of family ties can be addressed.

The renovation project we have developed is part of the global Hort de la Vila 2.0 plan, a comprehensive refurbishment aimed at transforming this residential centre into a tool that fosters personal recovery. This first intervention covers 820 sqm of the total 6,442 sqm built area, specifically on the first and second floors of the southeast wing, with the objective of adapting the space to a model of comprehensive, community-based and person-centred support, grounded in the Housing First methodology. This model prioritises access to housing as the starting point for any social inclusion process, supporting each individual while respecting their autonomy and decision-making capacity.

In line with this approach, the project converts the existing rooms into studio apartments that guarantee privacy and well-being for their inhabitants. Likewise, the incorporation of shared living rooms on each floor offers an additional option for those who wish or need to spend time in community. These spaces encourage relationships among users, fostering bonds and mutual support in the process of personal recovery. The intervention also includes the replacement of the façades on the renovated floors, maintaining the building’s original structure while providing new thermal and acoustic features that enhance energy efficiency and interior comfort.

From an interior design perspective, the aim has been to create a warm and welcoming environment, far removed from an institutional image. Wooden finishes, light colours, abundant natural light, and home-like furniture all contribute to generating spaces that, in addition to promoting physical and mental well-being, are perceived as genuine living spaces. These are essential aspects to support the goals set by Sant Joan de Déu Serveis Socials Barcelona.