Foster + Partners has revealed visuals of the Magdi Yacoub Global Heart Centre Cairo hospital in Egypt that will prioritise connecting patients with nature to boost their wellbeing.
Now under construction in Cairo, the 300-bed hospital will have a shell-like roofscape and nestle within a "lush, verdant landscape" that offers views of a lake and the Egyptian pyramids.
The scheme was designed by Foster + Partners using the principles of biophilic design, which seeks to satisfy people's physical and emotional need for nature by integrating the natural world and natural materials.
The hospital will maximise natural light, greenery and outward views in an effort to help speed up patient recovery time.
Exterior of Magdi Yacoub Global Heart Centre Cairo. Top image: the hospital's external terrace "This is a special project that focuses on giving the best care to the patients and offering them the best natural setting to recover in," explained Nigel Dancey, head of studio at Foster + Partners.
"It brings together the latest research on biophilia and the positive impact of nature in clinical settings with our pioneering work on collaborative working environments that allow healthcare professionals to give the best care."
Once complete, Magdi Yacoub Global Heart Centre Cairo will provide free treatment for underprivileged people living in Egypt.
It is being built adjacent to Zewail City of Science and Technology university to create an "integrated h...