The project includes the construction of a new building of 22,500 square metres, with six hospital floors, 75 beds and four operating theatres equipped for highly complex operations, one of them with computed tomography (CT) scanners and magnetic resonance equipment. The extension will also add a new intensive care unit with 18 beds for critical patients, directly connected with the new surgery block and the resuscitation unit to facilitate the transfer and follow-up of patients. A heliport will also allow for the transfer of severe patients in need of highly specialised care.

Backing technology and digitalisation

The future Hospital del Mar backs the digital transformation in the hospital realm and has been designed to get the most out of the new technology available, such as 5G. This will mean a boost for international and external connections with other hospitals and allow for live robotic surgery to be conducted remotely, as well as more video consultations and telemedicine.

An innovative system will also be used, combining this technology with the management of data, facial-recognition tech and the Internet of Things to optimise visiting times, guide patients and visitors around the inside of the hospital and generate alerts on the order of consultations and waiting times. The system will also mean patient visit agendas can be synchronised with their location in real time and the public transport network to offer them the best route for reaching the facility.

Respectful towards the environment

The new building is designed to be 100% respectful with the environment. To this end, solar panelling will be installed on the rooftop to generate enough energy for its own needs, while the façade will get a double shell with solar protection strips oriented to make the most of a natural light and minimise heating. Cross-ventilation with interior courtyards will help provide extra ventilation and facilitate energy savings.

The rooftops will have 2,700 square metres of vegetation, helping to reduce the building’s carbon footprint by 2,169 tonnes of CO₂ a year and generating freshness and shade to prevent the effect of an urban heat island. Therapeutic gardens will also be created for patients, rainwater reused, and certified timber and local construction materials used.

At the same time, there will be further backing for the Districlima distribution network for hot sanitary water and temperature control, which has already achieved a saving of 41% in CO₂ emissions per square metre for the Hospital del Mar, along with high-performance and high-efficiency LED lighting.

Joint creation and learning process from the pandemic

The project is the result of a joint creation process with patients, their families and professionals after more than 300 proposals were put forward. All the input was taken into account to come up with the final design.

The process also considered the needs identified during the management of Covid-19, which highlighted the importance of having flexible spaces adapted to the new reality, the separation of circuits and the possibility of increasing hospital capacity and intensive care places in a very short space of time.

The total budget is nearly 150 million euros and the project has been presented in application for the EU’s Next Generation funding.