Hospital Complex Princess Grace of Monaco | AIA Life Designers

Between urbanity and nature, the 85 000 m² new hospital complex raises high at the edge of the Monaco bay, in symbiosis with its unique location.

Response to the competition launched by the Principality of Monaco, this project achieves a true technical feat. At the heart of a dense urban fabric, in a seismic steeply area, architects make of the existing hospital a balcony opening onto the sea, while maintaining continuity in health care.

Two roads are hidden by vegetated bedrock enabling the architects to take full advantage of the site coverage in order to create large evolving and efficient technical installations. The building rises above the bedrock, originating vaults that open on a vast belvedere facing the sea from one side and the reception on the other.

Conceived as a landscaped garden paying tribute to the “Exotic Garden of Monaco” style, the terrace is designed as an interspace directly connected to the urban network. Towards sky and mountain, high up, the building architectural design flourishes in a corolla, multiplying sea views from the majority of rooms. Openings and interior patios are developed, creating natural light at the very core of the hospital. On the roof, hanging gardens have been installed, that are publics spaces on the belvedere parvise and that are reserved for the patients in the upper terraces.

A white sunshade protects the building’s facade. Made of hanging brise-soleil blades, its waving and light appearance seems moved by the breeze. Reminding of a flowing gown, it arranges curved opening onto the sea and the horizon. The sensation is of sophistication along with an iconic dimension. This enclosure allows air circulation, filters sunbeams, embracing an essential thermic role.

Based on an innovative approach, the architectural choice for the health-care building brings the best technical and functional responses to the patients’ benefits and the quality of care, but also proposes ambitious environmental solutions. The hospital complex sheds a new light on the architectural expression of what a hospital is.