Hospitals of the future: design, engineering, and well-being

From the renovation of existing buildings to the construction of new complexes, such as BIOSANITARY CAMPUS OF CIUDAD REAL, our experts ensure that healthcare facilities meet the highest standards of quality and well-being.

The renovation and rehabilitation of hospital infrastructure involves a comprehensive update of building systems. The goal is to create spaces that promote patient well-being and recovery, where comfort and tranquility are paramount.

To achieve this, spaces are designed where mechanical, electrical, and plumbing (MEP) systems are efficiently integrated, without compromising aesthetics or functionality. Through elements such as natural lighting, adequate ventilation, and the use of healthy materials, we create environments that promote patient recovery and health.

Healthcare renovation engineering projects

The healthcare sector is undergoing a profound architectural transformation, focused on modernization, patient comfort, and assistance efficiency. SOCOTEC is positioning itself as a key player in this evolution, contributing its expertise in Executive Construction Management (Dirección de Obra Ejecutiva) in large-scale projects such as the University Hospital Complex of Albacete (CHUA).

The CHUA: An Example of Hospital Modernity

The construction of the new Albacete hospital stands as a model of the new healthcare infrastructure. With a total estimated investment of 140 million euros and a surface area that will reach 98,000square meters (54,000 of new construction and  22,000 renovated), the project is designed to eliminate the obsolescence of the previous facilities, guaranteeing a modern, safe, and technologically prepared environment.

Culmination of Phase I: Outpatient Treatments

The first major milestone of the project has already been achieved with the completion and handover of Phase I. This stage included the construction of the Multipurpose Outpatient Treatment Building (Day Hospitals).

This new building not only expands capacity but also redefines the quality of care, a key principle in the new hospital design:

• Increased Capacity: The number of care stations in Day Hospitals increases from 20 to 47.

• Specialized Care: It allows for the creation of two separate units: an Oncohematology Day Hospital (25 stations) and a Medical-Surgical Day Hospital (22 stations), successfully separating patients and improving the quality of care for complex pathologies.

• Optimized Spaces: The consultation areas for Medical Oncology, Hematology, Genetic Counseling, and the UCAPI Unit (care for polymorbid patients) have gained larger, more modern, and more accessible spaces.

SOCOTEC’s Contribution

In these new hospital designs, where safety, accessibility, and inter-area coordination are essential, SOCOTEC’s experience in Executive Construction Management is crucial. Our role ensures that the material execution, which exceeded 30.7 million euros in this first phase alone, adheres to the highest standards of quality, safety, and deadlines, facilitating the seamless integration of the civil works with the subsequent cutting-edge Assembly and Equipment Plan (valued at 11 million euros for Phase I).

While this first phase begins its gradual implementation, with the incorporation of new professionals and the definition of new care circuits, the construction of the rest of the hospital complex continues, advancing towards a more efficient and patient-centered healthcare future.

Además de mejorar la infraestructura sanitaria, SOCOTEC, a cargo de la Dirección de obra y la Dirección de la Seguridad y Salud, ha materializado y gestionado la ejecución de las obras, poniendo especial énfasis en los aspectos salutogénicos

→ Un ejemplo destacado de este enfoque es la planta de cubierta, dedicada a la zona de esparcimiento y rehabilitación al aire libre, que ofrece a los pacientes y sus acompañantes un espacio tranquilo y revitalizante con vistas panorámicas y zonas de descanso

Ubicación: Barcelona

Cliente: Fundació Hospital de Sant Pau i Santa Creu

Estado: Construido

Superficie: 29.500 m²

Año: 2009

Alcance

• Estudio Estructural
• Proyecto ingeniería estructural
• Dirección de Obra

Fotografías Robert Ramos, cortesía de Sant Pau

The future of hospital architecture: towards more human and efficient spaces

Hospitals of the future are transforming to offer more patient-centered and efficient care. They are being designed as more flexible, technological, and sustainable spaces. Key features of these new hospitals include:

• A greater focus on outpatient care: Fewer beds and more space for consultations and short-stay procedures.
• Technology at the service of health: The use of digital tools to improve communication, data management, and patient care.
• Patient-centered design: More comfortable and welcoming spaces, with individual rooms and shorter circuits.
• Sustainability: The use of renewable energies and ecological materials to reduce environmental impact.
• Integration into healthcare networks: Collaboration with other healthcare centers and promotion of home care.
• Adaptation to changing needs: Flexible structures that can adapt to new technologies and the needs of the population.

SOCOTEC has contributed its expertise in sustainability and circularity, demonstrating that engineering can play a pivotal role in creating more humane and efficient healthcare spaces.