The interior refurbishment of Ospedale Bufalini in Cesena involved Iris Ceramica for floor and wall surfaces across four ordinary inpatient wings. Led by architect Andrea Gozzoli (U.O. Progettazione e Sviluppo Edilizio – AUSL della Romagna), the project focused on user comfort, enhanced environmental quality, and hygiene and safety. Built in 1962, the complex required substantial modernisation: more welcoming rooms (hotel-style standard with two beds and accessible en-suite facilities), and advanced finishes delivering durability, hygiene, and well-being while supporting clear wayfinding and a calm inpatient experience. Within this framework, the team adopted Iris Ceramica’s ACTIVE technology: photocatalytic ceramic surfaces (activated by natural or artificial light) that contribute to reducing bacterial load on surfaces, lowering indoor pollutants (such as NOx and VOCs), and simplifying maintenance thanks to a self-cleaning effect. Using ACTIVE helps limit aggressive detergents, supports more sustainable sanitation practices, and reduces operating costs over the building’s life cycle. Attention to material tactility, light, and a carefully designed polychromatic layout for floors and walls improved the perception of rooms and corridors, creating readable, welcoming spaces suited to healthcare needs. The intervention reaffirms Iris Ceramica’s commitment to combining design, performance, and environmental sustainability in sensitive clinical contexts.
