How to design a place where parents of children suffering from serious illness can find more than just a roof over their heads? That’s the Ronald McDonald House in Warsaw. It’s a building that has been thought out to the last detail in order to create an environment that’s quiet, safe, and comfortable.
The Ronald McDonald Foundation, whose mission is helping parents of children with serious, long-term illnesses, built its second house in Poland on the premises of Warsaw’s Medical University in 2021. It’s amazing that Ronald McDonald House Charities is now established in more than 45 countries around the world and is operating nearly 400 Ronald McDonald Houses.
The architectural design of the house, by AFP Architekci (Tomasz Flejterski and Alicja Szojda) emphasizes a modern aesthetic coupled with the functionality required by its residents. Covering an area of 2,100 square meters on three floors, the house has 25 efficiency apartments with their own bathrooms and thoughtfully equipped common areas that include a kitchen, dining room, laundry room, library, and relaxation area. The overall concept results in a home-like atmosphere where families can feel comfortable and safe.
A Timeless Interior: Natural Materials and the Elegance of TechniStone® in Noble Concrete Grey
The interior of the house is planned so as to provide the greatest possible visual harmony and a calm, pleasant atmosphere for families who are dealing with a very difficult time in their lives. The combination of wood and stone adds warmth and gives a natural touch to the space inside the house, while its simple lines and muted colors impart a timeless elegance. A key element of the house is its TechniStone® surfaces in the Noble Concrete Grey decor. They reflect the beauty of architectural concrete in their subtle texture and neutral tone.
Noble Concrete Grey perfectly complements the architects’ vision and helps to define the aesthetic of the entire interior. It doesn’t feel cold and industrial, but more like a sophisticated detail that in combination with wood creates a balanced whole — solid and durable, but also attractive to the eye and the touch.
Quality That Lasts
The architects chose TechniStone® not only for its visual appeal, but also because of its exceptional durability and resistance to mechanical damage — something that is essential in a space meant for long-term stays by different families. The material resists staining and scratches, which ensures its continued attractiveness even after intensive use.
Technistone’s branch in Poland became involved in the project as it was being designed and its Noble Concrete Grey was chosen in close consultation with AFP Architekci. The objective was to find a solution that would be timeless, functional, and pleasing to the eye. Final installation was performed by the professional stonemasons at Kamieniarstwo-ABC, who used their experience with fabricating Technistone slabs to ensure precision installation in accord with the demanding standards of the project.
The Ronald McDonald House in Warsaw has achieved fame not only because of its mission, but also for its architectural qualities. Among the prizes it has won are Building of the Year for 2021 in the residential architecture category, the People’s Award for 2021, and the Mayor of Warsaw’s Prize. This project is proof that design can have a deeper meaning — not only pleasing the eye, but above all contributing to better quality of life for those who need it the most.
