IE MIM students transform rooftop terrace

Over 210 MIM (Masters in Management) students from IE Business School in Madrid got a taste of topics they will be learning about over the coming year – including agility, communications, teamwork, problem solving and sustainability – by completely transforming a rooftop terrace into a therapeutic garden space for the Alzheimer’s residents and their families at Fundación Vianorte-Laguna.

The project took place over 7 days in September 2020 – at the start of the MIM programme, so it became an invaluable way for the IE MIM cohort to bond and quickly develop into an effective team.

Not only were the timescales challenging, but the students also had to over-come a split level site – with some working at ground level and others several floors up on the rooftop – in part due to social distancing measures put in place to keep everyone safe from Covid-19.  But the students overcame all the obstacles – sunshine, stairs, masks, unfamiliar environment, new team – to produce a beautiful garden space for the in-patients, leaving a truly remarkable lasting legacy.

The project was well received by the patients, students, IE faculty and the press.  A wonderful article was published in El Mundo (widely circulated daily newspaper in Spain).   A selection of participant feedback is shown below:

“I am very proud to have taken part in this wonderful human project. Teamwork in the service of others is our main strength, and we were able to demonstrate this together. Thank you to IE Business School and Splash Projects LTD for this wonderful opportunity to participate in a project that will change the lives of hundreds of seniors over the years.”  Ahmed Benabdeljalil

“It feels so gratifying to actually see our team’s impact on this amazing project. I really appreciate the effort that each of us put. Everyone was just helping each other, and we were all active and ready to get our hands dirty. Thanks to all you guys!’” Domenico Mattia Franchini

“Through this initiative presented to the students of the Master in Management, we were all able to get to know our colleagues better in a teamwork situation such as the construction of a space for the Hospital Centro de Cuidados Laguna. Thank you very much for making us live this enriching experience Splash Projects.” Alvaro Gonzalez Gomez

“On 21st September we were lucky enough, as IE business school students, to take part in a very special event. We had been informed that our contribution was directed towards the construction of a terrace on the roof of the Laguna foundation. For this purpose -during a week and until the final result was reached-, each day a different team was in charge of a specific part of the project.

“On the first day, my colleagues and I were on the second shift and the final result was still quite far away. At that point, our role was to continue the work that the first group had started in the morning. It was really exciting to see how different people were connecting so well from the very first moment and how in spite of the obstacles we faced due to the lack of experience, there were always people willing to help.

“I have to admit that, even at first, I felt quite out of place, little by little and with the support of all the participants, I managed to improve both my carpentry and construction skills and I came to enjoy this unique experience.

“In short, the atmosphere was unsurpassed, and the satisfaction was absolute. When I left the foundation that Monday, I could not imagine that a small contribution could have such an impact. I only have words of gratitude for the Splash team and for IE business school. It has been a pleasure to be part of this initiative and I hope it is one of many to come.”    Paula Mayero