Mother-Child and Surgical Center Kaiser-Franz-Josef-Spital

Cor Wagenaar, Noor Mens

Description

The result of a 2008 design competition, the Mother-Child and Surgical Center acts as a catalyst in the reconstruction of an existing hospital complex that had lost the clarity of the original plan. The process of fragmentation and haphazard additions that often result in the mutilation of the architectural qualities is typical for old, large-scale medical facilities, and pavilion hospitals appear to be particularly vulnerable. The Kaiser-Franz-Josef-Spital was no exception. The Mother-Child and Surgical Center replaced six smaller pavilions that occupied the space between the main structure of the old hospital and the Triester Straße. Its orientation follows the main axis of the historical complex, which runs perpendicular to this street. During a future phase, the remaining historical buildings are likely to be replaced by a new block similar to the Mother-Child and Surgical Center. Located on one side of it, the old building will make place for a green court, and the orientation of the complex will run parallel to the Triester Straße. The center anticipates this: the main traffic artery on the ground floor will connect directly to the future extension. The Center pays tribute to its historical setting and recreates the pavilion structure: gardens and roof gardens restore the lavish green qualities so characteristic of this type of hospital which is now integrated in a complex increasing the density of the site – combining the two design objectives of achieving concentration while providing greenery and daylight. The new building reaches out to the city, both spatially and functionally: the wall that separated the original pavilions from the urban setting was torn down, and the people in the neighborhood are invited to enjoy the benefits of the gardens, which are open to the public. Promoted by the competition brief, this is part of the strategy to urbanize the hospital and integrate medical processes in everyday life.

Doing away with inefficient fragmentation of medical facilities was one of the main reasons for the new building, which integrates the former Gottfried von Preyer’sches Kinderspital. The outpatient departments are located on the ground floor. The first floor accommodates the maternity ward, an obstetrics unit, pediatric and gynecology wards, anesthesia, urology, central endoscopy, occupational medicine, the outpatient skin clinic and a central surgery department with eight operating theaters. The second, third and fourth floor accomodate thw one- and two-bed patient rooms that offer views on the surroundings, while the staff workrooms face the landscaped courtyards. Optimum flexibility is achieved by a modular layout that can accommodate changes. Nickl & Partner specialize in what they call ‘healing architecture’, involving strategies to improve patient well-being, health outcomes and even shorter hospital stay. Principal designer Hans Nickl identifies light as an overriding theme in the entire building: the green patios ensure that light penetrates into the central areas and there is a large, bright, day-lit hall. The perforated façade of the new center visually refers to the adjacent buildings.