Find out more about the consultancy work that ENERO Arquitectura carried out on the renovation plan for the Jiménez Díaz Foundation University Hospital
An example of a solution to a variety of problems
ENERO had to resolve two main issues for the comprehensive renovation plan for the Jiménez Díaz Foundation University Hospital. On one hand, it had to adapt its facilities to the increase in demand by the public. On the other hand and at the same time, it had to raise the quality of service for patients, updating and transforming it to meet current health requirements. This was undoubtedly a dual challenge which, theoretically, was difficult to resolve. However, it was perfectly dealt with.
Despite the continuous renovations that had been carried out at the hospital since it was built in 1955, it was clear that the hospital was out of step with the demands of the public and modern medicine. Among other things, it had an obsolete infrastructure and electrical problems, all of which were impediments to achieving the excellence expected of a major Madrid hospital and worldwide. However, these improvements had to be carried out while the centre continued to provide its normal services to the public.
In addition, the building is protected, being listed in the Special Plan for University City. Therefore, it was necessary to obtain a favourable report from the Commission for the Protection of the Historic, Artistic and Natural Heritage of the city of Madrid.
Important factors in the implementation
ENERO Arquitectura’s consultancy services focused not only on the resolution of these problems, but also on the meticulous analysis of the future of the hospital. The aim was to create a hospital that was more humane, modern, sustainable and capable of adapting to the demands of the future. This was done through a master renovation plan that determined the new healthcare and physical requirements of the hospital.
First, the demographic growth in the area surrounding the hospital and the transformation of the population segment it would serve were considered. To this end, it was essential to increase the hospital building’s area by 12.000 m2, which was approved through a Special Plan for the Transfer of Buildability. In addition, an increase in the number of beds —which was only 575— was considered. All this while improving the safety and accessibility of the centre. For this purpose, the new quality standards set by the Community of Madrid were followed at all times. These enhancements would not impede the normal functioning of the hospital. While keeping the patient and family experience in mind, we designed a new, flexible and innovative floor space, capable of adapting to future changes in healthcare and technology.
For this, a strategy was drawn up to be completed in two stages, in which innovation and technology would be the key to its achievement. Each stage would be carried out on half of the hospital floor space so that the centre could function properly, enabling the healthcare staff to continue working and maintaining an optimal patient experience.
First stage
The main objective of the first phase — carried out by ENERO Arquitectura between 2009 and 2014 — would be to increase the fixed staffing of the centre by increasing the number of available beds by 30%. This way, an impressive number of 750 would be reached.
Second stage
In the second stage — which ENERO Arquitectura has been working on since 2014 — the ambitious increase in the hospital’s floor space by 20% will be achieved. This would increase the number of available hospital beds to 1,000. In addition, upgrades are being made to the air-conditioning systems, which improves the building envelope. Thanks to a solar control system, a gain in the efficiency of the thermal loads and electrical and lighting systems is achieved, obtaining a more sustainable, efficient and safe hospital centre.
Benefits of the consultancy work carried out at the Jiménez Díaz Foundation University Hospital
Because of the consultancy service provided by ENERO Arquitectura, the Jiménez Díaz Foundation University Hospital has not only continued to function normally while the renovation is being done, but the activity of the centre has increased by 63% and access and traffic in the buildings has improved. In addition, remodelling costs compared to previous renovations have been reduced by 25%, while user satisfaction has increased by over 95%.
