Designer: INNOCAD architecture
Location: University Hospital Graz, Austria
Award: WAF 2025 World Interior of the Year
Category: Medical & Public Cultural Space

More than a conventional religious building, this chapel serves as a spiritual sanctuary embedded within a modern medical complex. The design team at INNOCAD drew upon neuroscience and environmental psychology, artfully integrating the biophilia principle with fractal geometric patterns. For patients, medical staff and their families enduring high stress, the space strips away the coldness and anxiety typical of clinical settings, evolving into a tranquil retreat secluded from daily hustle for inner contemplation and meditation.
Warm pale solid wood dominates the entire interior. Delicate natural wood grain brings organic warmth amid orderly geometric layouts. Ornate hues and superfluous adornments are eliminated; the space relies solely on natural timber tones and shifting natural light to craft a restrained, pristine ambiance.
When architectural form is simplified down to fundamental geometry and natural materials, interior space gains genuine healing power, fully demonstrating the profound practical value of spatial psychology within healthcare environments.