Plans to upgrade Greece’s public healthcare with three nature-inspired hospitals

·

Renzo Piano Building Workshop have joined forces with the Stavros Niarchos Foundation (SNF) Health Initiative to design and unveil three new hospital concepts in Thessaloniki, Komotini and Sparta in Greece. 

The three facilities intend to provide new hospital infrastructure and improve access and quality of care in regions that are underserved. 

Every design concept for these hospitals is fuelled by the proposed intention of each hospital, for example, the hospital in Thessaloniki will serve as a paediatrics facility and will be the largest of the three hospitals named the New University Paediatric Hospital. 

SNF University Pediatric Hospital of Thessaloniki. Image © RPBW

The new hospital in Thessaloniki will be organised as a campus that provides tertiary paediatric services for all of Northern Greece, secondary paediatric services for greater Thessaloniki and a new national Referral Centre for Children and Adolescent Mental Health. 

The SNF General Hospital of Sparta will support a network of local health units and health centres across the region of Laconia. The new hospital will be a combination of the existing General hospital of Sparta and the Hospital of Molai to become the General Hospital of Lakonia. The main building will be a single three-story volume above ground, emerging from the park’s tree canopy out front. 

The hospital’s relationship with nature is also a key aspect of this hospital’s design. In Sparta, similar to the hospitals in Komotini and Thessaloniki, trees will be an important design feature, making it a special place within the immediate rural context. 

SNF General Hospital of Sparta. Image © RPBW

The design concept is to create a hospital immersed in nature, fostering a peaceful and calming environment for patients, their relatives, and medical staff. The new park will be an integral part of the design, featuring protected areas for patients, interactive playgrounds for children, and routes under the trees.

The SNF General Hospital of Komotini will be an improved secondary hub for the Greek region of Eastern Macedonia and Thrace, supporting a network of local health units and health centres across the region.

The structure is designed as a three-story building surrounded by an extensive park about 70,000 square metres. Only two stories of the new hospital will be visible from the surroundings due to the sloped contours of the site and greenery, making the hospital building appear lower, and more domestic in scale as it hovers at the same height as the tree canopies.

Driven by a sustainable approach, the hospital will use the right materials and resources, incorporating strategies to reduce energy consumption as much as possible, recycling materials, and using the roof to generate energy.

SNF General Hospital of Komotini. Image © RPBW

Source: Arch Daily

Advertisement

Share:

KEEP UP TO DATE WITH TGH

By subscribing you accept our Terms of Service and Privacy Policy.

Advertisement

Latest News

The man for all jobs: How a Greek migrant turned setbacks into 7-figure success

When Christof Mantzanas stepped off the plane in Melbourne on 10 March 2015, he had just $1,000 in his pocket.

Jimmy’s Kitchen brings authentic Greek hospitality to The Rocks

Sydney diners can now experience the warmth, flavour, and soul of a traditional Greek taverna without the flight to Greece.

Greek Community of Melbourne enhances safety with defibrillator training seminar

The Greek Community of Melbourne (GCM) took a notable step towards enhancing community safety by organising a defibrillator training seminar.

Wills without the Trojan War

After nearly 15 years in the legal industry, I’ve lost track of how many matters I’ve worked on involving family disputes over estates.

From tech to health: Greek Australians driving innovation in 2025

Australia’s Top 100 Innovators celebrate those who turn setbacks into breakthroughs. This year, three Greek Australians are among them.

You May Also Like

Over $45,000 raised to make Pontian House accessible for all

A total of $45,476 has been raised by Pontoxeniteas NSW at its Winter Wonderland Gala 2025 to install a platform lift at the Pontian House.

92-year-old Greek woman reunited with Holocaust survivors she saved during WWII

One by one, the 40 descendants of a group of Israeli siblings leaned down and hugged the elderly Greek woman to whom they owe...

Messinian Association of SA members honour Independence Day with a gaze into the future

Last week, members of SA's Messinian Association gathered to commemorate and celebrate the Greek Revolution bicentennial.