Integrated Design with Building Information Modeling (BIM) ● Refurbishment LKH Weststeiermark ● Healing Environment

Functionality with added value
A new building that connects A and B wings of the Provincial Hospital in Deutschlandsberg was planned as part of the much-needed general refurbishment of the complex. The patient rooms should also receive state-of-the-art interiors. Our 3rd-prize winning concept primarily addresses the aspect of zoning and daily processes in the hospital, with a focus on functionality and wellbeing: This should make it possible to create, on the one hand, central core areas and an optimal circulation concept for personnel and, on the other hand, surroundings for patients that speed recuperation.

Our design observes the principles of formal simplicity as a way of ensuring maximum functionality. Hence, our design for a typical nursing station arranges the patient rooms around the centrally positioned, medically important staff areas. By combining dynamism and calm, the architecture of the new building facilitates both the efficient movement required to support daily processes and the space in which the various users can relax. For example, the rounded corners of the sanitary areas make it easier to move beds by removing sharp corners and preventing impact. The use of wood and light green tones in the design of the rooms creates an inviting atmosphere – and a sense of safety and comfort. This calming and healing environment should support the healing process.

Healing environment
The shell & core structure of the existing building permits comfortable room sizes. The specially developed wall cladding at the heads of the beds contributes to the optimization of the daily staff processes and the finishes of the individual patient areas. These beds are oriented to the outside, opening up views with the help of the large bay windows. The seating area offers each person – regardless of their mobility – an attractive place to sit below the window. The large glazed elements of a post and rail facade inside the new building create an open and light-flooded atmosphere. An external space adjacent to the dayroom is accentuated by a timber facade. This functions as an oasis of calm and harmonically integrates the new building into its surroundings.