This project expands the hospital's capacity with a new 18-bed semi-critical care unit, built within an outdoor footprint previously occupied by a therapeutic garden. The new facility connects seamlessly to the Emergency Department and links directly to the existing Intensive Care Units (ICUs) via a dedicated technical corridor.
Architectural Integration// Operating within the strictly protected heritage context of the historic Sant Pau complex, the project employs a semi-subterranean design strategy. As a result, only a single visible facade emerges—an extension of the existing south-facing wall. The alternative facade has been reimagined as a living green wall, blending effortlessly into the landscape. Furthermore, the rooftop reinstates the original therapeutic garden, ensuring the intervention remains visually minimal and beautifully integrated from the outside.
Layout & Organization // The layout of the new Semi-Critical Care Unit is divided into two distinct functional zones; the Clinical Care Zone which features 18 individual patient bays arranged around an open, centralized nurse station, ensuring rapid access and clear sightlines to every bed, and the Techincal Corridor dedicated to staff and logistics, cleanly partitioning staff quarters from general utility and MEP installation zones. This clear boundary establishes an intuitive, highly efficient separation of medical workflows and technical services.
Uniqueness & Character // To infuse daylight into what could have been a dark, subterranean environment, a series of skylights were integrated into the design. These flood the central nurse station with natural sunlight, which then filters through the glass doors of the patient bays directly to the patients. This access to daylight preserves the perception of the natural circadian rhythm—a critical factor in patient recovery and the prevention of ICU delirium. These skylights are mirrored along the technical corridor, bringing daylight into staff and administrative spaces via internal glass partitions.
The bays along the south facade benefit from direct sunlight and outward views. Patient privacy is paramount: these windows feature adjustable blinds controlled directly from each room. Every bay is private and enclosed, while the partitions facing the central nurse station utilize electrochromic (smart) glass. This allows staff and patients to adjust transparency instantly, balancing clinical visibility with personal privacy based on medical or emotional needs.
Sustainability Criteria // Maximizing natural daylight is a cornerstone of the project’s sustainability strategy, significantly reducing reliance on artificial lighting and lowering overall energy consumption. Additionally, the implementation of a green roof enhances thermal insulation and building inertia while mitigating the urban heat island effect, fostering a healthier microclimate for the hospital campus.
