SCML: Institutional Website

Santa Casa da Misericórdia de Lisboa needed a digital platform that respected its more than 500-year history while meeting today's standards for accessibility, usability, and scalability. The objective was to bring the institution closer to the Portuguese public by making its services, initiatives, and information easier to discover and access across all devices and audiences.

The new website introduced a clearer information architecture, a fully redesigned user experience, improved navigation, and a faster search system, creating a more intuitive way to explore SCML's diverse areas of activity.

We redesigned the institutional website from the ground up, placing accessibility, clarity, and long-term flexibility at the centre of the project. The homepage was designed as a dynamic content hub, bringing together SCML's work across social support, healthcare, culture, heritage, and gaming. Navigation follows a responsive, mobile-first approach, simplified to support users of all ages and digital literacy levels.

Accessibility was considered from the earliest stages of the project. Working alongside ACAPO (Association of the Blind and Partially Sighted of Portugal), the platform was tested using screen readers and assistive technologies, ensuring compliance with recognised W3C accessibility guidelines. Every section was designed to provide an inclusive experience without compromising performance or usability.

"We appreciate the official website link receipt, which we were able to access a summary navigation and appears to be in accordance with the test version that we had the opportunity to do.

Once again we would like to congratulate Santa Casa for the work done in general and in what concerns the new site, in particular. "

Fernando Santos, Head of IT and Telecommunications at ACAPO. Fernando is visually impaired and uses screen readers to access digital content.

Designed for millions of users.

The new SCML website combines accessibility, flexibility, and performance within a modular content platform designed to evolve over time. The experience simplifies access to a wide range of institutional services while giving internal teams complete editorial autonomy.

Core features:

• Modular homepage built around dynamic content
• More than 200 reusable content components
• Fully responsive experience
• Accessibility-first interface
• Advanced search and simplified navigation
• Flexible architecture designed for continuous growth

The platform was developed on WordPress using a fully custom theme built specifically for SCML's needs. A modular component system, with more than 200 reusable content blocks, allows internal teams to expand the website without development support.

The responsive architecture ensures a consistent experience across desktop, tablet, and mobile devices, while the design system provides long-term flexibility for new pages, services, and institutional initiatives.