National Diabetes Centre Riyadh, King Khaled University Hospital Building, Design, Image

National Diabetes Centre Riyadh, Saudi Arabia

King Khaled University Hospital Development, Saudi Arabia – design by C. F. Møller Architects

26 May 2009

National Diabetes Centre Riyadh

C. F. Møller Architects designs National Diabetes Centre in Riyadh

Saudi Arabia is systematically strengthening its healthcare sector and has now commissioned a significant extension to the King Khaled University Hospital at King Saud University, the oldest and most prestigious university in Riyadh. C. F. Møller Architects is designing the new 16.000 m2 National Diabetes Centre.

The National Diabetes Centre will be a national institution for diabetes, containing research and central functions, as well as treatment for complicated cases. It will in effect be a miniature hospital, with outpatient facilities, radiology, a large polyclinics department, bed wards, and counselling and education.

images : C. F. Møller Architects and MIR

The layout contains three wings (bed wards, treatments and laboratories) around an inner oasis in the form of a 3 storey tall, shaded atrium under a large floating roof slab filtering the intense sunlight. The buildings design is aimed at an optimal use of natural light, and screening from the heat. The atrium houses the reception, a restaurant and other common functions. The three wing layout gives a clear, straightforward organisation, and effective logistic routes.

The choice of materials reinterprets local tradition, combined with modern pre-fabrication methods. The three wings are pre-fabricated, textured concrete, set with a deep relief to provide shading and an interesting play of light in the almost vertical sun. Set back beneath the floating roof slab are larger expanses of glazing, allowing for a high transparency without overheating or use of darkened, mirrored glass. The roof slab, which houses plant rooms, is clad with a pattern reflecting the local ornamental wooden latticework, mashrabiya, which acts as a light-filter.

Partner and architect Klavs Hyttel states: “The Diabetes Centre is our first major healthcare project outside Europe, and it has been important for us to prioritize daylight, quality materials and spatial quality along with logistics, operations and hygiene. A diabetes centre is for recurring treatment, it is a place you return to – so the building has to offer a positive experience. With this centre, we have managed to achieve a sense of universality derived from our clear, Nordic approach, even in a country which is otherwise climatically and culturally quite different from our everyday Scandinavian environment.”

C. F. Møller Architects is designing the National Diabetes Centre as consultants to Samark arkitektur & design ab, Malmö, who are currently working on several projects at King Saud University for the client ABV Rock Group.

National Diabetes Centre King Khaled University Hospital images / information from C. F. Møller Architects

C. F. Møller Architects

Location: Riyadh, Saudi Arabia