Medical buildings are usually perceived as spaces with negative connotations, specifically when referring to rehabilitation centers where patients stay for long periods of time. Therefore, in the design process of[...]

© Nelson Garrido
Medical buildings are usually perceived as spaces with negative connotations, specifically when referring to rehabilitation centers where patients stay for long periods of time. Therefore, in the design process of the Hisham A. Alsager Cardiac Center, our aim was to change this perception and to build a positive space, one that is able to act as a hub for social activity, rather than just a medical center.
© Nelson Garrido
At this point, the first element to consider was the exterior of the building (including the volume and its materiality) as it is the first connection point between the patient, medical center and the environment. Instead of treating the general volume as a mere container of functions, AGi architects developed a proposal that is formally similar to one of social and cultural infrastructure. A sharp volume that contains two large red openings in the façade, these invite access to the building and suggests to the visitor what they will find inside. The stone clad façade provides the necessary protection for the harsh weather of Kuwait a nd ensures a highly sustainable performance with low maintenance. The anatomic scheme of the heart and its mechanism within the whole human body was used for the design of the project. The ...