The creation of a cutting-edge institute for research, care, and education—driven by AP-HP, Inserm, Université Paris Cité, CEA, and Institut Pasteur—was announced by the President of the Republic during the Mental Health Conference in September 2021. In October 2022, the teams from AIA Life Designers won the design competition for the future building of the Institut du Cerveau de l’Enfant (Child Brain Institute), to be located on the Robert Debré Hospital site (AP-HP).
This new institute is highly anticipated, especially as public policies surrounding childhood—while increasingly prioritized in recent years (such as the “first 1000 days” program, the mental health and psychiatry roadmap, and the autism plan)—remain insufficient in France. Today, 1 in 6 children suffers from neurodevelopmental disorders, 1 in 5 lives below the poverty line, and 1 in 5 experiences learning difficulties. Gaining a deeper understanding of the developing child’s brain is crucial for promoting health and learning.
To meet the ambitions of the project owners and to design a 12,000 m², five-level building that is both innovative and environmentally high-performing, a collaborative workshop approach will be launched. This process will bring together the design team with the hospital and research community, the institute’s partners, the City of Paris, and a wide range of users and their representatives.
The architectural approach highlights flexibility and adaptability, ensuring the building can evolve over time. It also emphasizes logical, coherent pathways throughout the hospital site and integrates greenery as a key design element—through green roofs and a variety of tree species planted around the building’s perimeter.
The project site’s proximity to the Paris ring road (périphérique) necessitates a protective façade. The design features a mineral shell that shields the building and gives it a distinct identity, establishing a dialogue with the surrounding urban environment. Designed by AIA Life Designers, the building offers a calming journey for children and their families. The arrival sequence is carefully designed to reduce the stress typically associated with hospital visits. Inside, the space takes on a whimsical, almost magical quality, breaking away from traditional healthcare architecture and sparking the imagination through a bioclimatic atrium.
Nature plays a central role in the concept, serving as a source of well-being for all users.
The building is scheduled to open in 2027.
Project Management
Robert Debré Hospital – AP-HP
Project Team
Architect : AIA Architectes
Engineering & Cost Management : AIA Ingénierie
Environmental Expertise : AIA Environnement
Landscape & Urban Planning : AIA Territoires
Laboratory Design : 2BConcept Consulting
Fire Safety Coordination : Namixis SSICoor
Program
ICE – Institut du Cerveau de l’Enfant (Child Brain Institute)
Floor Area
12,000 m² gross floor area
Design Competition
September 2023
Delivery Date
2027
Renderings © Fédérico Kraus, ARCHIGRAPHI