Beatriz Angelo Hospital

The Portuguese practice “Saraiva + Associados” in partnership with also the Portuguese practice, Pinearq, have just completed the construction of a Hospital named Beatriz de Ângelo, which is located in Loures, Portugal. The whole process started when both companies participated in the Public Tender for the construction of this new complex. The project belongs to the National Health initiative that seeks for renovation and modernization of the traditional framework in this field. Therefore, the inspiration was to evoke these vernacular developments and adapt them into a new language, where architecture engages with human scale. The building conforms to the site’s topography in shape and form by circumventing and respecting its existent characteristics (for instance, the presence of the adjoining commercial building). It offers maximum functionality and operability. As a matter of fact, the design focuses on the notion of “healing architecture”. The whole composition creates a perfect balance within volumes, landscape and infrastructure. It is developed from a Southeast/ Northeast oriented axis and it takes full consideration of the orientation (bioclimatic integration). The whole mass is disrupted by courtyards and openings on the façades, which are consciously designed to capture constant natural light, the chance to enjoy the views offered by the surrounding environment and the enhancement of natural ventilation. The adopted solution was to base the structural system (Grid = 7.5m span) on a fully organized network where the podium levels (ground and first floor) concentrate the several assistance services. On top of them sits the Inpatient Units, which is formed by a less dense mass: three horizontal wings of same height are projected perpendicularly from a central element, allowing the interconnection of activities among the whole building. All in all, the building rises up to 5 storeys above ground and responds logically to the operational plan (different Medical Sectors). The Project contemplates the various possible sceneries of conversion and expansion that belongs to the nature of a Health unit. This is verified in the existence of wide open spaces created by the omission of vertical elements due to a logical structural conception in all aspects (span, material, layout, etc.) After all, the motivation behind this successful approach was the possibility to build on a detached land, from an urban point of view, and the chance to create a pioneer Hospital.