House for Julia

The story of the first children's hospice in the Czech Republic is connected with the fate of Julinka, who died of a pneumococcal infection at the age of seven months. Neither she nor her parents were lucky enough to receive palliative care of sufficient quality. The house that bears her name allows parents to be close to their sick children even in difficult moments. Originally, the city of Brno was to provide only the land in the garden of the house for the elderly at Kociánka district, but then it became the investor and contractor of the entire construction. Thanks to the prepared project documentation provided by a non-profit organisation House for Julie, the whole process of preparation was greatly accelerated. The city then entrusted the building directly to the House for Julie through a loan agreement. This is for the duration of the project, but for a minimum of 15 years.

A team of specialists take care of the paediatric patients. The services of psychologists, therapists and a spiritual minister are also available to help young patients and the whole family cope with a terminal diagnosis. The House for Julia has a total of ten rooms for the children, with one floor reserved for their parents. Eight rooms have been available for young patients. It thus provides a unique combination of health care and social services that is unparalleled in the Czech Republic. The hospice also include a garden, a playground for children and facilities for administration. The whole house functions as a pension and partly as a school and nursery. 

The total cost of the hospice construction amounted to CZK 184.5 million excluding VAT. The subsidy from the Integrated Regional Operational Programme was worth CZK 86 million and was used by the City of Brno through the Integrated Territorial Investment (ITI) instrument. The remaining amount was paid by the city from its own budget. The running of the House for Julia will be taken care of directly. The organisation has also equipped the hospice with all the necessary inventory. The construction of the three-storey building, which fits into the surrounding environment of the park on Kocianka, took 20.5 months. Construction began in 2022 and the grand opening took place in July 2024.

The hospice building was designed by the architectural studio ČTYŘSTĚN and sensitively set in the natural amphitheatre of the original park. This solution was positively evaluated by experts for its unobtrusive and harmonious design. It also has innovative architectural features. The Hospice includes elements such as a vegetated roof with a viewing walkway leading to a place for contemplation at the top of the slope. This rooftop can be accessed at any time from the parents' rooms on the upper floor, providing a space for quiet and reflection.

The House for Julia offers comprehensive care, including palliative and respite care, as well as rehabilitation, therapies and comprehensive support for families in difficult life situations. This wide range of services ensures that families can spend time together in an environment that supports both individual needs and shared activities.

This project is an example of good practice in linking public administration and the non-profit sector as well as the public. It can inspire other cities and territorial units in the Czech Republic and abroad.

https://www.dumprojulii.com/