REMS – Rehabilitation Facility

Residence for the execution of security measures

The REMS facility in Reggio Emilia is a rehabilitation facility developed within the National Programme for the closure of former forensic psychiatric hospitals. It represents one of the first reference models for this building type in Italy.

The project involved the architectural, structural and building systems design of the facility, creating a coherent system able to combine safety requirements, residential quality and therapeutic function.

Layout and functional requirements

The spatial layout moves beyond a purely custodial model, adopting a controlled residential organisation. The concept of the “small residential unit” guided the design of rooms and shared spaces, with the aim of balancing safety needs, healthcare management and the rehabilitation process.

The facility is designed for 30 patients. Rooms are organised as independent units with private services, designed to ensure control, supervision and suitable living conditions in line with the institutional function of the facility.

Safety, comfort and management

The project addressed structural and building systems aspects in an integrated way, with particular attention to the safety of patients and staff. Control and protection systems were developed without invasive solutions, maintaining consistency with the residential character of the facility.

Building systems were designed to reduce energy consumption and integrate renewable sources, with attention to ease of maintenance and long-term management.
Materials were selected to ensure durability, acoustic comfort and environmental quality in the spaces dedicated to rehabilitation activities.
The construction phase was also managed through construction supervision and safety coordination, ensuring consistency between design and realisation and technical control of site activities.

Photos: Politecnica