New Ibn Sina Hospital: HKS Architects

From the Earth Up: Transforming the Concept of Healing

This project moves beyond the traditional medical facility concept. Here, a massive health center is being re-designed in the Moroccan capital. The goal: to become an open, stimulating, and restorative care destination. Healing meets a comforting environment in this architecture. The central objective is to deliver excellent patient care. The framework must be safe and must enhance the recovery process. The New Ibn Sina Hospital represents a significant step in the nation’s health infrastructure.

The core idea manifests as a seed that grows. The seed ascends slowly and steadily from the earth. It transforms into a structure of purpose and strength. This rise forms an architectural landmark for the city. It appears both grounded and futuristic. The design successfully integrates three previously separate health institutions. They are unified into one complete structure. Thus, the New Ibn Sina Hospital becomes a model for service unification.

Tall, curved medical tower rising above public street and pedestrians, evoking a futuristic sense of form. — The expansive view shows how the carved white structure integrates with the blue skyline, forming a welcoming new urban landmark.

Wandering the Therapeutic Garden: Functional and Human Paths

Imagine yourself approaching the building. A raised arrival area welcomes you above street level. This carefully designed deck covers the vehicle drop off zone below. This immediately creates a pedestrian friendly environment. It is green, calm, and focuses on the human experience first.

Connectivity is a critical design feature. The building is known for the “tower in a garden” experience. It is surrounded by open internal courtyards and a low, welcoming podium. The central circulation begins at the large atrium. The atrium opens onto a vast natural garden. This green space is not merely visual pleasure. It is the connecting soul of the hospital, linking it to the life of the city.

Clear paths branch out from this green heart:

The first path leads toward the ambulatory outpatient areas.
The second path expands toward the main diagnostic and treatment wing. The illuminated patient tower overlooks all of this. This system brings all components of care under one roof. It facilitates staff collaboration. It also ensures seamless access to the services of the New Ibn Sina Hospital.

Main entrance framed by palm trees; golden light creates a sensory gradient between exterior and interior spaces. — The raised podium above the drop-off area welcomes visitors into a green pathway balancing movement and visual serenity.

Construction Details: Efficiency Technologies and Harmonious Materials

This massive facility occupies approximately 139,640 square meters. It is classified as Morocco’s largest general hospital. The design reflects a clear, advanced vision. It blends modern technology with deliberate energy efficiency principles. The quality of natural light was emphasized to enhance the healing experience.

Regarding the Materials and Technologies Used:

Natural Lighting: Interior lightwells help sunlight reach 85% of public spaces and patient waiting areas.
Façade Efficiency: Exterior façade panels are precisely calibrated. This reduces summer heat gain by an estimated 30%. It also improves lighting in patient rooms.
Construction Materials: Approximately 45% of local and recycled materials are used. This applies to the total materials utilized in the internal structure. This ensures harmony with the local environment.
Structural System: A seismic-resistant structural system was integrated. This aligns with regional specifications. It guarantees 100% operational resilience after any natural event.

These elements work to diffuse soft, uniform natural light. The light bathes the rooms and public spaces. This increases comfort and well-being for staff and visitors at the New Ibn Sina Hospital.

Massive glass-covered interior courtyard featuring tropical foliage, creating a calm, illuminated healing environment. — Natural light floods the multi-level therapeutic courtyard, enhancing air quality and the visual experience within the visitor’s path.

✦ ArchUp Editorial Insight

The New Ibn Sina Hospital project demonstrates an architectural shift toward a more open therapeutic model. Visually, the design utilizes the tower in a garden concept. The unified structure rises from a vast green podium, surrounded by open courtyards. These breaks visually fracture the mass and maximize natural light penetration. Critically, integrating three existing facilities raises significant challenges regarding functional connectivity and avoiding operational complexity; the green podium must transcend simply being a cover for the drop-off zone to become an active part of the urban fabric. The commitment to adopting energy efficiency and utilizing natural light, especially in a demanding environment like Rabat, adds a positive value. This reinforces the New Ibn Sina Hospital’s role as a new benchmark for sustainable public healthcare in the region.