Angdong Health Center by RUF Architects
14/10/2014.
By Rural Urban Framework (RUF) [Xiangxi-Hunan Province] China
metalocus, INÉS LALUETA
metalocus, INÉS LALUETA
This new building was designed replace an existing hospital in Hunan Province. The facility was designed to address the lack of basic amenities provided by its predecessor and to provide a template for other rural hospitals. Key to the design was the architects' desire to create a more open and accessible feel than is typical of most institutional buildings in China.
This was achieved by creating angled gaps in the facades, which permit views of a central courtyard that is visible from the adjacent road and open to the public.
Description of the projects by Rural Urban Framework (RUF)
Rural healthcare in China currently faces a multitude of challenges. Rural institutions are generally unfavourable compared to those in urban locales. Government subsidies and the raising of doctor and hospital incomes also lead to overcharging and needless treatments and exams. Commissioned by a Hong Kong charity, Institute for Integrated Rural Development, this project involves designing China’s first charitable hospital whilst helping foster a new attitude toward rural healthcare.
Working closely with the charity and government in Angdong Village of Hunan Province, our task was to develop a model rural health care building capable of supporting the many progressive reforms on rural hospital management and care giving. This includes providing basic necessities absent in current establishments, some as simple as waiting rooms. Additionally, seeing that most institutions in China, such as schools and hospitals, are walled off and managed as contained programs, we were interested in re-introducing the hospital as a publicly-friendly facility.
The program of a hospital is re-configured from its conventional form. The design begins with a simple strategy to provide a continuous ramp access to all floors. A wide ramp allows for seating and improves circulation. This also creates a large central courtyard space open for public use. At the ground level, the courtyard provides additional steps for seating and serves as an outdoor waiting area. Materials consist of both recycled traditional bricks, which form the exterior façade, and custom designed concrete screen blocks, which flank the interior spiral passageway. Though from a distance they appear like the common type, these custom blocks are cast in a flexible latex mold. The resulting courtyard exhibits a soft and smoothly changing quality, casting variable shadows throughout the day.
CREDITS. DATA SHEET.-
Architects.- Joshua Bolchover and John Lin.
Project team.- Mark Kingsley, Jeffery Huang, Kwan Kwok Ying, Huang Zhiyun, Tiffany Leung. Project manager.- Maggie K Y Ma.
Dates started.- 2011. Dates completed.- 2014.
Size.- 1,450 sqm.
Total Cost.- 272,000 usd.
Unit Cost.- 190 usd/sqm.
Rural Urban Framework (RUF). In 2005 the Chinese government announced its plan to urbanize half or approximately 350 million of the 700 million rural citizens by 2030. At the same time, Joshua Bolchover and John Lin set up Rural Urban Framework (RUF), a research and design collaborative based at The University of Hong Kong. Conducted as a non-profit organization providing design services to charities and NGOs working in China, RUF has built or is currently engaged in over 15 projects in various villages in China. The projects include schools, community centers, hospitals, village houses, bridges, and incremental planning strategies. As a result of this active engagement, RUF has been able to research the links between social, economic and political processes and the physical transformation of each village.
Their work has been exhibited internationally, including Get it Louder 2012, the Chengdu Biennale 2011, at the Venice Biennale 2010 and recently at the MAK Vienna; and have also received numerous international awards. The House For All Seasons, a rural house prototype built in Shaanxi Province China, was awarded the WA Chinese Architecture Award 2012, was the overall winner of the Architectural Review’s House Award 2012, and received a Merit Award in Green Building Awards 2012 and the Design For Asia Gold Award 2012.
Both Bolchover and Lin are currently Assistant Professors at the University of Hong Kong.