A K Architecture received the AIA Philadelphia Public Choice Award for Calcutta House. Providing hospice care in a home setting for nine residents, Calcutta House’s interior spaces are configured around an exterior courtyard with a four-season garden to provide diffused natural light to the private and shared spaces inhabited by this fragile population.

Located at the intersection of Ridge Avenue and 19th Street in Philadelphia across from historic Girard College, Calcutta House was designed to provide specialized housing and care for adults with HIV/AIDS. Today the building has seamlessly transitioned to serving as a PHMC hospice for homeless patients coming out of hospitalization and in need of a space to recover.

All resident spaces have a view to the vibrant garden in the central exterior courtyard. The courtyard is visible from the street through a transparent entrance lobby. A primary objective was to maintain a home-like environment while subtly meeting the technical requirements of providing state-of-the-art medical care for late stage HIV/AIDS patients