Hospital Clínic de Barcelona is a leading university hospital affiliated with the University of Barcelona and, specifically, with its Faculty of Medicine, together forming an architectural ensemble of immense historical and urban value. Located in the heart of Barcelona, the hospital was inaugurated in 1906 and is part of the classicist-eclectic complex designed by Ignasi C. Bartrolí at the end of the 19th century. The developed interventions consist of various interior renovation actions aimed at updating clinical, teaching, and support spaces, adapting them to new healthcare models, current technological demands, and contemporary humanization criteria. The execution of the works is systematically planned in phases, guaranteeing the absolute continuity of healthcare services and minimizing interference with the daily operations of the center.
Context & Integration // The interventions are carried out within an architectural complex of high heritage value; therefore, each action seeks to reconcile the preservation of existing historical elements with the integration of new clinical needs. Beyond functional updates, the renovations aim to improve the experience of patients, families, and professionals through more accessible, legible, and comfortable spaces.
The incorporation of humanization criteria, improved spatial orientation, and the clarification of circulation routes help reduce the inherent complexity of a historic hospital, making the building easier to navigate and reducing the stress associated with a hospital visit or stay.
Layout & Organization // Spatial organization is dictated by the specific characteristics of each healthcare unit and the geometric constraints inherent to a historic building originally conceived for healthcare models vastly different from today’s. Each intervention aims to optimize pathways, functional relationships, and working conditions, integrating new technical infrastructure within a complex and consolidated built structure. Special attention is paid to the hierarchy of circulations, the segregation of clinical flows, and the implementation of wayfinding strategies that facilitate intuitive user orientation. The design of the spaces seeks to reduce unnecessary travel, improve operational efficiency, and reinforce patient autonomy within the hospital environment.
The main interventions carried out include the renovation of Floors 4 and 5, the remodeling of the ICEMEQ, the renovation of Operating Rooms 4, 8, and 9, and the International Health and Infectious Diseases areas.
Singularity & Character // The environmental quality of the spaces constitutes one of the primary objectives of the interventions. Architecture is understood as an active tool in the healthcare process, capable of contributing directly to the physical and emotional well-being of people.
The influx of natural light, the incorporation of warm color palettes, careful attention to visual perspectives, and the selection of welcoming materials allow for the creation of gentler, more humanized environments. Spaces move beyond strictly technical criteria to incorporate dimensions related to perception, comfort, and user experience, promoting both patient recovery and optimal working conditions for healthcare staff.
Sustainability criteria // The solutions adopted meet the high technical, hygienic, and maintenance requirements characteristic of the healthcare sector. Industrialized, dry-assembly construction systems are prioritized to reduce execution times, minimize disruptions to healthcare activities, and facilitate future adaptations.
The selection of durable, low-maintenance materials with a long service life contributes to optimizing the lifecycle of the interventions. Concurrently, improved lighting, updated building systems, and the incorporation of efficient construction solutions reduce energy consumption and improve indoor environmental conditions. Sustainability is thus understood as a comprehensive concept combining efficiency, durability, flexibility, and the quality of the user experience within the hospital.
