Nanjing Drum Tower Hospital, Jiangsu Province Development, New Chinese Health Centre Building, Architecture Images

Nanjing Drum Tower Hospital in Jiangsu Province

13 September 2021

Architects: Lemanarc SA

Location: No. 321, Zhongshan Road, Gulou District, Nanjing City, Jiangsu Province, China

Nanjing Drum Tower Hospital

Nanjing is both a historic ancient capital of the Six Dynasties as well as a noisy and busy modern city. As one of the most popular cities in the world, Nanjing, like other cities, faces its own needs and problems.

The transformation of Nanjing Drum Tower Hospital for over more than a century has proudly took into account the history of modern Nanjing. Founded in 1893 by Dr. Marin, a Canadian missionary, Nanjing Drum Tower Hospital is one of the oldest hospitals in China.

How to continue the dialogue between ancient and modern and East and West in the program is the main starting point of its design. To establish an organic connection between tradition and modernity, making itself be a part of the process of medical treatment. Most of the current hospital buildings in the world have taken the conventional form of a building plus a park.

In contrast, this proposal attempts to make a new solution by creating a pleasant spatial imagery with a unique cultural atmosphere, which is the most crucial part of the proposal, while satisfying all the functions of the hospital. To this end, the project also reduce the number of storeys and integrates six large gardens in this
centrally located site.

The design takes full account of the cultural relationship with the site of the Ming Dynasty Drum Tower to the north of the hospital, uncovering the dusty historical memories of the ancient capital by introducing the historical axis of the Drum Tower. Another historical axis comes from Zhongshan Road on the east side of the site, which originated from the Republican era.

This project presents an excellent opportunity to rediscover and integrate the former urban spatial structure of Nanjing. This approach will enable the residents to reconnect with the historical value of this old hospital. The overlapping of these two axes also derives a rich mix of forms that provide interesting solutions to the problems posed by this complex and large-scale project.

In order to reduce the external impact of visitors, clear gaps have been created between the buildings and between the buildings and their surroundings. This not only reflects the functional efficiency of the hospital, but also creates a safe and comfortable environment for patients and visitors. In a certain oriental sense, the hospital is like a paradisiacal ‘island’.

A hospital building requires a clear and simple layout, a clear and compact distribution of functions, and a well-organized circulation. As a place of refuge and support for patients, the hospital should also provide human and spiritual comfort. Nanjing Drum Tower Hospital attempts to create spaces that are welcoming and provide a safe haven, quiet and invisible, creating a sense of trust.

The word “hospital” in the Western tradition means ‘hotel’ and ‘hospitality’, and implies treatment, care and shelter for a large group of patients and visitors. In the Chinese tradition, ‘hospital’ is a combination of the two concepts of ‘medical’ and ‘hospital’, with ‘medical’ referring to the word ‘hospital’ means ‘courtyard’ and ‘garden’. Literally, ‘hospital’ is a ‘medical garden’.

Nanjing Drum Tower Hospital in Jiangsu Province, China – Building Information

Design: Lemanarc SA
Project location: No. 321, Zhongshan Road, Gulou District, Nanjing City, Jiangsu Province, China
Site area: 37,900 sqm
Construction Surface: 230,000 sqm
No. of beds: 1600
Investment: RMB 1.6 billion
Construction cost: RMB5300/sqm
Project status: put into use
Design time: 2004
Completion time: 2012

Nanjing Drum Tower Hospital, Jiangsu Province images / information received 130921 from Lemanarc SA

Location: No. 321, Zhongshan Road, Gulou District, Nanjing City, Jiangsu Province, China

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