University Hospital 12 de Octubre

PROJECT: New technical block and hospitalization of the 12 de Octubre University Hospital in Madrid

 

BACKGROUND

The 12 de Octubre University Hospitalis one of the largest hospital complexes in Spain. It occupies a 177,000 m² plot in a well-connected location and has a total constructed area of ​​148,262 m² across eight separate buildings, currently offering 1,368 beds.

The hospital was inaugurated in 1973 and has undergone several expansions and adaptations throughout its history. To this end, a Master Plan was developed in 2003, the first two phases of which have been completed.

The first phase, developed between 2003 and 2006, involved the creation of a new8,400 m2 Technical Building for Installations, an outdoor parking lot with 420 spaces and underground galleries to connect the existing and future buildings.

was built , the new Outpatient Activities Center (CAA, covering 91,000 m2. This building houses outpatient clinics, radiology services, day hospitals, CMA (Comprehensive Medical Care Center), laboratories, etc., and a 1,000-space underground parking garage. The building was erected on the site resulting from the demolition of the old utility buildings and part of the southern parking garage.
The third phase, currently underway, involves the project for the new Technical Block and Hospital Ward, a further expansion designed in several distinct sections. The hospital's Technical Block is located on the four lower floors, and above it are the inpatient wards. Between these two sections is a Technical Floor that will house the building's systems.

 

The process culminates in a fourth phase, in which the General Residence Tower is relocated , allowing for its demolition. Subsequently, the remaining portion of the old building is renovated.

 

CONTEXT

The construction of the new Technical and Hospitalization Block at the 12 de Octubre University Hospital is part of a comprehensive modernization plan for the entire hospital complex. The building will have a maximum capacity of 1,450 inpatient beds, 41 operating rooms with their corresponding recovery areas, 109 beds for adult and pediatric intensive care, and 47 beds for newborns. 

It will also feature state-of-the-art clinical and diagnostic imaging equipment, as well as therapeutic gardens, among other amenities. All of this makes it the first major national and international referral hospital in the Community of Madrid to be completely renovated and placed on par with the best in the world.

It will be a spacious, bright, comfortable, safe, environmentally friendly and energy efficient building.

 

THE OBJECTIVES

The new Technical and Hospitalization Block will consolidate all the services currently located in the main building (the General Residence) and the Maternity and Children's Hospital. The new building will allow existing services to be adapted to new demands, providing them with more space, updated equipment, suitable facilities, and improved logistical, functional, and energy efficiency.

The new building will be the central part of the hospital and will connect the other buildings in the complex: the Facilities building, the CAA, the Emergency building, the Oncology and Radiotherapy buildings and the Auditorium.

Due to its complexity, it presents several challenges, among which we can highlight:

–   It has a tight deadline for the execution of phase I

–   The works must be carried out in coexistence with the Hospital and without affecting its activity at any time.

– Simultaneous implementation of high-tech equipment is carried out  

 

THE GENERAL SCHEME

The building's design results from the superposition of two very different designs.

On one side, the Basement consists of parallel bands that are becoming more specialized by uses from more public to more internal from East to West.

On the other hand, there are the inpatient towers, which are wings that intersect the lower wings, providing dual access for visitors and internal access for beds, staff, and supplies. These towers originate from five parallel modules, two of which are rotated. This arrangement groups the visitor areas and enhances the views, avoiding direct views between rooms and improving orientation through the opening of courtyards.

 

THE CIRCULATIONS

Each of the schemes develops different circulation patterns.

In the Basement, the parallel North-South circulations become more specialized and go from more external to more internal from East to West

In the towers, the circulations are East-West and they are accessed from the public circulations at the ends, to the East, through the visitor centers and from the West (next to the CAA, with which it is joined by walkways) with the bed, staff and supply centers.

  
ACCESS

The different access points to the building have been distributed according to each of its four main facades in order to facilitate the orientation of users within the hospital grounds.

Thus, each of the facades is qualified and associated with a different type of access:

1 – The southeast façade unifies the hospital's emergency entrances, the new entrance to pediatric and obstetric emergencies, and an alternative entrance for adult emergencies within the existing emergency building. The entrance to the pediatric rehabilitation unit is also located on this façade.

2 –  The main entrances to the hospital are located on the northeast facade, both the entrance to the General Hospital, located in the center of the facade, and the entrance to the Maternal and Child Hospital, at the southern end of the facade, and on this facade, at its northern end, is the entrance for administrative staff of the center.

3 – The southwest facade of the complex formed with the CAA continues to be the main ambulatory access to the complex.

4 – In the renovated part of the main residence, a pavilion has been designed for access to the teaching area.

 

PLANTS

On the basement level, the loading and unloading dock supplies the warehouse, linen room, and kitchen, which in turn distribute supplies to the entire building via the utility and service gallery. Around a central courtyard are also located the sterilization area, maintenance facilities, some of the building's central systems, and the general changing rooms.

The building's ground floor is organized around a central courtyard. The front section is structured around the lobbies. The rear section connects to the front via side modules and a central walkway, and is separated from the CAA by an internal street.

The first and second floors are geometrically divided into three modules parallel to the main facade and two lateral modules. The front and middle sections are separated by the double-height main lobby or by a courtyard and are connected by family waiting areas. The middle and rear sections are separated by a large courtyard and are connected by the lateral modules and an intermediate walkway.

The fourth floor houses all the intensive care units, both adult and pediatric. At the front is a landscaped roof, which serves as the hospital's Therapeutic Garden, for the use of patients and visitors.

The hospitalization floors, from the fifth to the ninth, contain 4 adult hospitalization modules grouped in 2s and one maternal and child hospitalization module.

  

OTHER INFORMATION OF INTEREST

To optimize the work of healthcare staff, two nursing stations have been installed, providing a direct view of all workstations and connecting independently to the work area, staff break room, and pharmacy. This state-of-the-art unit combines the latest technology, high functionality, and flexibility with exceptional comfort for both patients and healthcare personnel. It was completed within a tight timeframe, with every effort focused on ensuring the highest quality of care. 

• Materials have been used that guarantee all technical requirements but at the same time provide a pleasant atmosphere that improves the experience and comfort of patients and staff.
• A vinyl decal with a suggestive image of reeds has been used, creating a feeling of nature that helps to calm and create a more pleasant atmosphere.
• Special care has been taken with acoustic comfort within the unit, a great oversight in many projects, limiting noise as much as possible and increasing sound absorption.