Revolutionizing Hospice Design: Marta Zawieja's 'Tale About Fear'

Award-winning mural transforms a children's hospice into a beacon of hope and imagination

The 'Tale About Fear' project was born from the need to create a hospice that didn't resemble a hospital. The Gajusz Foundation, which runs the hospice, wanted to create a friendly, home-like environment that could help dispel the fear associated with such institutions. Zawieja's design, featuring a flamingo carrying a girl on its beak, was chosen for its ability to visualize the care and comfort provided to the children.

The mural, covering 550 square meters of the building's walls, is a metaphor for passage, connecting and separating two worlds. The girl's long hair, which extends across all walls, symbolizes children's imagination and their unique perspective on the world. This imaginative element was key to Zawieja's design, as she sought to convey the emotions associated with the search for security in difficult moments from a child's perspective.

Zawieja's design process combined traditional painting with digital technology. She began with a physical painting, then transferred the project to a graphic tablet. The design was simplified to facilitate its transfer to the building's walls, created like a coloring book. The implementation was carried out by Goodlooking Studio using wall paints.

The mural's impact extends beyond its visual appeal. It has become a symbol for the Gajusz Foundation, stirring up adult emotions and drawing attention to the needs of dying children. The pink bird caring for the child in her most difficult moments has become the foundation's new logo, reflecting the organization's mission.

Despite initial doubts from the city architect, who expected the building to blend in with its surroundings, the mural has made the hospice one of the most recognizable buildings in the city. The 'Tale About Fear' mural is a testament to the power of design in transforming spaces and creating environments that provide comfort and hope in the most challenging circumstances.