HOSPITAL DEL MAR – PHASE 2 EXPANSION

Hospital del Mar is located in a landmark site, bounded by the seafront promenade and the infrastructure of the Ronda Litoral ring road and railway lines, within an urban block structured through the aggregation of various formal units that together configure the Campus Mar complex. Over the years, the hospital has undergone a continuous process of transformation and expansion, from the first extension linked to the Olympic phase (1992) to the current second phase, based on the modernization and expansion initiated in 2021.
The proposal establishes a comprehensive solution for the entire block of facilities, both from a technical and architectural standpoint. An integrated volumetric solution is defined within the Campus, with a design that engages in dialogue with the atmosphere of the existing hospital building and incorporates principles such as domesticity, simplicity, orientation, spatial permeability, luminosity, and ergonomics.
The volumetric configuration materializes in two new volumes arranged parallel to the sea, ensuring continuity with the existing buildings. On the one hand, the building designated for inpatient units adopts a U-shaped configuration open toward Parc de la Barceloneta, thereby shifting the center of gravity of the complex toward the mountain side and freeing up the space closest to the coastline. This strategy reduces the visual impact of the complex in relation to the Park and the Promenade, while facilitating the penetration of natural light and enhancing the quality of both circulation and stay areas.
The landscaped roofs at third-floor level contribute to relieving usage density and provide outdoor spaces overlooking the new inpatient units. With a total surface area of 2,700 m², they enable a reduction of the building’s carbon footprint by 2,169 tons of CO₂ annually, providing cooling and shade while mitigating the urban heat island effect. Furthermore, this space is conceived as a therapeutic environment, where views of the sea and exposure to sunlight foster patient recovery and well-being. The project also incorporates rainwater reuse systems, the use of locally sourced construction materials, and certified timber.
The building envelope integrates solar radiation control systems through the incorporation of horizontal or vertical aluminum brise-soleils, positioned independently from the façades. This configuration generates an intermediate space that functions as a thermal buffer while simultaneously facilitating maintenance operations.