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Xi’an Children’s Hospital
By : Fong & Chan Architects
GRANDS PRIX DU DESIGN – 14e édition
Discipline : Architecture
Categories : Other categories in architecture / Concept in architecture : Gold Certification
Around 4,000 years ago during China’s Xia Dynasty, the concept of the yaodong, or “house cave” was developed on the Loess Plateau, the site of the project. The structure included a central sunken courtyard connecting all dwelling units and providing a gathering place and water source to the community. The traditional yaodong structure provided the inspiration for the design of Xi’an Children’s Hospital that links the hospital to the historic roots of its setting.
A central core connects five separate patient wings in the hospital. Within this common space, a water feature gives homage to the yaodong, openings to the sky above provide natural light and ventilation, and vegetation and seating creates a courtyard-like setting.
With a total project area of over 5 million square feet, the hospital can accommodate approximately 2000 patient beds. The building massing provides subtle contrast from the surrounding architecture, which conforms to a rectangular grid format. The light grey masonry façade of the core represents strength and stability and recalls traditional materials used in the area. Curved lines create a soothing connection to the natural environment and evoke the nearby Wei River. Juxtaposed with the stable building core, full-height glazing on the patient wings adds lightness to the structure and maximizes daylight in the patient rooms. Children’s play areas, fruit trees, and meditation gardens are planned at sheltered pockets between the towers.
Collaboration
China United Northwest Institute for Engineering Design & Research Co., Ltd.
