With a history of nearly 150 years, the Second Affiliated Hospital of Zhejiang University School of Medicine (SAHZU) is set to revitalize itself with a new campus in Xiaoshan District, Hangzhou, China.
The new campus takes its design inspiration from the concept of “Inheritance and Growth.” AECOM’s multi-disciplinary team of medical planners, architects, landscape artists and interior designers collaborated to create a leading cutting-edge medical center with international influence for SAHZU.
The new campus has a total construction area of 700,000 square meters. It will be built into a large-scale comprehensive medical center with 2,500 beds, 100 operating rooms and key disciplines including cardiac surgery, neurosurgery, oncology and physical rehabilitation. By integrating industry, university and institute expertise, as well as constructing a teaching and training center, the new campus will focus on the incubation and development of new medical technologies to make SAHZU a model university medical center and a first-class international medical leader.
In terms of medical planning and layout, AECOM adopted a classic planning model centered on medical technology and surrounded by key medical centers for cardiac surgery, neurosurgery, oncology and physical rehabilitation. This efficiently concentrates operating room resources and focuses on developing specialized centers. This forward-looking layout ensures that adequate space is reserved for future adjustments such as additional areas and medical equipment placements.
In the facility’s overall medical planning, we integrated advanced global medical concepts, while taking into account the actual operational needs of Chinese hospitals. Thus, the planning of the Emergency Trauma Center combines the style of US emergency design and China’s national codes. That includes setting up an US style triage section, an US style pod concept layout with exam rooms handling patients of grades 2 to 4, and China-US universal trauma rooms and radiology services.
The patient-centered approach is also reflected in the design details. The moat-like waterscape at the main entrance gives a warm welcome to visitors. Once they entry the building, they are immediately greeted by the designed skylights at the grand lobby, which improves the indoor natural lighting effectively. Various functions such as public distribution, inquiry and guidance, exhibitions, and rest area are all integrated here to meet the different needs of patients.
A multi-level landscape features a ribbon-like path connecting the discipline centers and a waterfront park located at the confluence of rivers. This stimulates a rich physical and mental experience, providing a natural healing space for patients. Inner courtyards inspired by the classical gardens in the Yangtze River Delta were also incorporated in the design to provide a relaxing outdoor area for medical staff, patients and their families.
Further, the planning integrates convenient transportation connections for better accessibility. The sunken plaza located at the northwest corner of the site will be connected to the subway exit and commercial facilities.
By making full use of the existing site, considering its future potential development, and building a people-oriented space from the perspective of patients and medical staff, AECOM is committed to creating a brand new “Centennial Base” for SAHZU — a place to cultivate medical talents and develop innovative ideas.
