Sky gardens feature in design for healthcare & research facility

B+H Architects have won the international competition to design the new Shenzhen Children’s Hospital and Science and Education Building, in a joint venture with East China Architectural Design & Research Institute (ECADI). The winning proposal emphasizes opportunities for collaboration between those who work in the research, education, and patient care spaces, while providing a welcoming environment for children.

The existing hospital has been a landmark in the Futian area of Shenzhen since it was established in 1998. The new building, located to the west of the existing campus, will support the delivery of top-quality care for children, as well as provide a new home for advanced research and learning in paediatric medicine. B&H and ECADI placed the research facilities on the same floors as inpatient wards, providing proximity to patients with a ‘lab bench to bedside’ approach. At the junction of the ward and research zones, a collaboration zone houses formal and informal education and social spaces for staff to mingle, share, and learn together.

At the heart of the design is a desire to experience the building through the eyes of the children. On the ground floor, an 'urban living room' connects the hospital to the surrounding community, playing host to public spaces and activities for patients, visitors and those passing by. Taking inspiration from the mountains in the distance, the new building is gently terraced, with the upper floors stepping back to create multiple sky gardens. A vertical 'secret garden' is intended to provide a welcome distraction to patients and their families during the healing process. 

“Children live very much in the present and can experience each moment very intensely – sights, sounds, scale, touch, colours and patterns hold delights and surprises that we as adults often overlook,” says Stephanie Costelloe, Principal and Director of Healthcare, Asia. "We wanted to instil a sense of wonder in every corner which would celebrate their unique and joyful view of the world – whilst also encouraging adults to interact with the environment in a similarly social, playful and collaborative way."

Lucy Nordberg
TenderStream Head of Research

This competition was first published by TenderStream on 30.04.2020 here

Start your free trial here or email our team directly at customerservices@tenderstream.com