‘Hospital of the future’ focuses on patient care

Project: Pavilion, University of Pennsylvania

Award: Healthcare, Bronze, 2022

Location: Philadelphia, USA

Architect: Foster + Partners

Client: Penn Medicine

State-of-the-art Pavilion serves as a blueprint for the ‘hospital of the future’ with a building design that prioritises the patient experience. From a reassuring welcome in the lobby, through comfortable wards and uplifting communal spaces, such as the soaring cafe and surrounding gardens. Covid-19 emphasized the need to design a hospital that can adapt. Designed by the PennFIRST integrated project delivery team (PennFIRST (Foster + Partners, HDR, engineers BR+A, and LF Driscoll, Balfour Beatty and Penn Medicine) the Pavilion’s patient care floors are designed with the flexibility to be broken down into smaller unit sizes that provide a more sensitive and personalised environment. Each floor features a family ‘living room’ and ample space is allocated for visitors to spend time and stay the night in support of their loved ones. Patient movement is minimized by allowing treatments to be delivered directly in the patient’s room whenever possible.

Design highlights

An interactive wall integrates entertainment, room controls, communications and medical record information to better engage patients and families with clinicians and keep them informed throughout their stay.

Photo credit: Nigel Young / Foster + Partners