Giving green an edge
The design for a new building of the general hospital in Villach, Austria, is characterized by its clear shape, optimized functional correlations and generous green spaces all around. The new building was placed next to the existing complex in order to unite various departments under one modern roof. These include the psychiatric department, the De La Tour ambulance and the dialysis center. The new building places emphasis on the existing park by turning it into a green and peaceful island for patients and visitors alike.

Squaring the circle
Two organically designed building blocks are positioned on a semi-basement and seem to have gently grown out of the park’s landscape. The semi-basement, with its dissolved shape, conveys permeability and openness. The functional sequences and interrelations of the upper floors are precisely coordinated with each other. A round, central courtyard provides the inner common areas with plenty of light and views throughout. Despite the strict angles, the building, with its lamellar façade, radiates a gentle, self-contained lightness, which is reinforced by the round courtyard and the open foyer.