VIKRAM HOSPITAL | ZZ Architects

A successful hospital design encompasses space utilization, hospitality issues, patient convenience and hi-tech infrastructure. Most of these require high degree of precision. Vikram Hospital fulfills all the requirements of a modern, contemporary and multi-specialty hospital. Vikram Hospital, located in Bengaluru, India, is designed to be among the few paperless hospitals in India. This 285 bed hospital is spread over 8 floors and an area of 1,50,000 sq. ft. THE FAÇADE: The hospital is designed with the theme, which is inspired by the ECG HEARTLINE GRAPH and so called “HEART BEATS THAT CONNECT”. The concept of signage was to merge it with the building elevations. Hence a visually strong graphic of heart beat pattern, which symbolizes life, is printed on glass, demarcating the building as a medical facility. This striking signage catches one's attention even in the flow of traffic in the entire area of the hospital. WAITING LOUNGE AND RECEPTION AREA: Silk, a material indigenous to the city is used as part of the material palette in the interiors. The location of the hospital is also reflected in photographs of the rich architectural history of the city, which acts as a backdrop to the reception and waiting areas. The interiors are designed to be hospitality driven; instead of waiting benches, plush sofas with silk cushions are provided, making the ambiance warm and welcoming. OPD DOCTOR’S CABIN: The doctors' cabin is designed to be a large open space with an informal discussion table and examination bed, which puts the patient to ease in front of the doctor. For the OPD, doctor clusters have been created wherein each specialty is given two senior and two junior doctors. In this manner, patients receive full priority in their treatment, as they are diagnosed based on the complexity of their illness. I SEE YOU (ICU SECTION): This hospital's uniqueness is that the ICU area separates the patients from their visitors only physically, not visually. A long, clear glass-walled corridor enables the patients to see their loved ones on the other side of the glass, giving them the emotional support required, without compromising on spreading any infection. HOSPITAL INTERIORS: The colors, shapes and materials indoor have been selected for assimilating more harmony in the environment. The primary objective of designing the hospital was to incorporate aesthetic values for the said human scale involved, and the therapeutic features would in turn lend more to the hospital design. Visually, various design elements have been introduced into the hospital interiors. Each floor is color-coded and the interiors reflect this in the smallest detail. From the colored bands in lift lobbies, to the colored ceiling graphics in the semi private rooms, this helps in identifying the floor for the users. In all rooms the ceiling had a nature's graphic over the patient's bed as per the color code of the floor and wall. EVIRONMENT FRIENDLY: This hospital boasts of special design to promote the flow of natural light and air. The architectural design of the hospital revolves around the theme of Natural Healing. The hospital is designed in such a way that natural light is available in maximum area wherever possible. Natural light was brought in the doctor's cabin, semi-private rooms and also in ICU to make them connect with the world and also allow air exchange. The role of natural light in buildings suggest that sunlit rooms contribute to stress reduction and shorter hospital stay by patients with depression and bipolar disorders, whilst reducing symptoms in cases of seasonal depression. Emphasis is given on creating green walls and plantation in the surroundings. Correct type of glass is used to reduce the heat and glare within the hospital. TECHNOLOGY USED: In this paperless hospital the information is directly transmitted from the patient’s palm pilot to a jaotech screen. In this manner, the design has enhanced the user experience, as information is easily accessible to both the staff as well as the patient, without compromising the patient's privacy. The jaotech screen is also used by the patient for video conferencing with their relatives as well as the doctors. Paperwork is non-existent as the billing process is also carried through these screens. In the OPD waiting areas, digital screens outside the doctors' cubicle highlights the patient’s photo & corresponding doctor’s photo, when it is the patient's turn to be examined. Vikram hospital caters to both their staff and patient’s needs through the design. From the latest technology to the introduction of graphic visual elements, this hospital stands out amongst other hospitals in design and conceptual strengths.