The crisis surrounding the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic has put health infrastructure capacity to the test around the world, resulting in the need to build new health care facilities to meet current and future needs. The Moisès Broggi Hospital in Sant Joan Despí, located in the province of Barcelona, Spain, was no different. A new multi-purpose building was built at the rear of the existing facility to treat only patients suffering from COVID-19.
The project, named "Moisès Broggi Multi-Purpose Hospital," was designed by Lluis Moran of the moranARQ studio. He is an architect who specializes in the field of public works, and in particular in the architecture of health facilities, and can boast of having completed many projects for socio-health facilities, health centers and hospitals.
Photo credit: Adrià Goula / Dámaso Pérez, Fototec
The Moisès Broggi Hospital in Sant Joan Despí is a 4,500 sq. m. project that proved to be quite a challenge due to its record-breaking completion date - the facility was built in just 21 weeks.
During the construction of the hospital, it was decided to minimize the use of materials while ensuring their strength and longevity.
We decided to use Neolith Sintered Stone, minimizing the number of joints between the large-format slabs and optimizing the size of the slabs to allow more efficient use of the material through its use throughout the hospital, Lluis Moran of moranARQ studios.
Impeccable level of hygiene
Due to the excellent properties of Neolith® plastic, it was the ideal material to meet the needs and expectations of this innovative proposal for a healthcare facility requiring assurance of the highest quality and hygiene of the materials used.
The strength and virtually zero porosity of Neolith® allows thematerial to maintain an ideal level of cleanliness and hygiene. In addition, its large format reduces the number of joints and contributes to preventing the growth of harmful bacteria and the spread of dirt. This is an indispensable aspect, especially in Intensive Care Units (ICUs) with more than a hundred beds, where it is necessary to ensure a maximum level of hygiene in order to create a germ-free environment.
Photo credit: Adrià Goula / Dámaso Pérez, Fototec
Harmonious aesthetics
The Neolith® material was used extensively both in the interior of the Moisès Broggi Hospital and for its exterior surfaces. Inside the facility , theJust Whitemodel was used for the wall cladding of individual rooms and ICUs . The matte white of this model lends an atmosphere of pristine cleanliness necessary in a healthcare context, and its smooth finish allows for easy cleaning of the surfaces.
On the lower floors and in the ICU, we chose this material in broken white for its properties, especially for the frequently attended ICU requiring a very high level of hygiene, Lluis Moran of the moranARQ studio.
Photo credit: Adrià Goula / Dámaso Pérez, Fototec
Also for the building's façade, it was necessary to use a material that is durable yet requires little maintenance, such as Neolith®. Aspen Greywas therefore chosen because of its grayish hue and matte finish, as well as its texture similar to real stone.
Friendly and sustainable architecture
The building's façade was designed using a modular bolted assembly system, creating a four-story building whose third floor is a completely open space. It is a multifunctional plane that allows for variable configuration to accommodate future needs.
In an effort to minimize the use of materials and accommodate various alternatives, the designer envisioned a pedestal that has both structural and aesthetic uses. From a structural point of view, it was necessary to use materials that are weather-resistant and provide continuous insulation for the building.
Photo credit: Dámaso Pérez, Fototec
Neolith is a long-lasting stone with a range of properties that we found optimal for this building, Lluis Moran of the moranARQ studio.
Made from 100% natural raw materials, Neolith® is resistant to temperature changes and UV radiation, and does not lose its properties over time. The material also blocks direct sunlight, providing significant energy savings.
From an aesthetic point of view, an attractive surface was necessary for the lower part of the facade due to the fact that it is the first element that building users come into contact with. The same material was also decided to be used in the interior of the hospital to complete its comprehensive aesthetics.
This is a project created with the well-being of the patient in mind, coming into contact with medical personnel and the environment, where the use of effective, safe and durable materials was integral to achieving the preconceived structural and health-promoting goals.
For more information, visit the company's NEOLITH POLSKA page on the A&B portal.
