Herberge Posada del Niño

Remodeling and expansion of an existing prefabricated shelter for children under the protection of the Patronato Nacional de la Infancia in Perez Zeledón. The intervention reorganizes the floor plan, increases capacity to address overcrowding, and transforms a previously austere facility into a warm, light-filled environment suited to the daily life of its young residents.

The original prefab structure was preserved in full as a deliberate response to budgetary constraints, redirecting resources toward the spatial and qualitative improvements that most directly affect the children’s experience. The program was rebalanced around a central double-height communal area lit by clerestory windows, generous dormitories, and flexible play and learning zones. Although conceived as temporary housing, the shelter often becomes home for extended periods, which guided every design decision toward greater comfort, dignity, and a sense of belonging.

Material and color strategies reinforce that intent: timber accents soften the institutional character of the existing envelope, while interior murals and accent walls introduce playfulness at a child’s scale. Cross-ventilation, natural daylight, and a clear connection to the surrounding gardens support both wellbeing and supervision. The project is currently under construction.