Ruber International Masó Medical Centre is an international benchmark as a centre for assisted reproduction and In Vitro Fertilisation (IVF). The centre specialises in gynaecology, clinical immunology, medical genetics, maxillofacial surgery and dentistry, dermatology, and internal medicine. It has a modern embryology laboratory where all the procedures and processes of IVF are carried out following the latest methods of embryonic genetic diagnosis. The building has an area of 1820 m2 and the lot includes a lush garden which surrounds the building. The existing vegetation, with various tree species, is of particular importance in the new project.
The patient at the centre of the project
Each type of space, especially the operating theatre, integrates design aspects that place patients at the centre, where their needs are the priority. In addition, its design includes the innovative technology required for this type of treatment.
The project is distributed in a simple volume with a rectangular floor plan on three levels and a basement. The ground floor houses the main entrance and seven consultation rooms (three of which are for maxillofacial surgery and dentistry). The first floor includes nine gynaecology and urology consultation rooms as well as examination rooms. They are distributed around a central corridor with consultation and waiting rooms on both sides. The first floor houses the IVF unit. This floor has three laboratories that manage all the IVF procedures, an operating theatre, a transfer room and three recovery boxes. It is distributed sequentially, with three different parts: the outpatient areas for patient care and consultation, a transfer area consisting of boxes and changing rooms, and the sterile treatment area (operating theatre and transfer room) and laboratories. In the embryology laboratory, all IVF procedures and processes are carried out using the latest embryo genetic diagnosis methods and safety systems. All cryopreservation procedures are carried out in the cryobiology laboratory. The andrology laboratory is also a fully independent area. The privacy circuits for patients and relatives in this project are especially important, with very small waiting rooms and cosy atmospheres.
Natural light and connection to the outside as design priorities
Each space in the centre (operating theatre, consultation area, laboratories, etc.) is adapted to the medical functions and needs of the patient. The operating theatre has views to the outside and plenty of natural light. This is especially important for professionals who must spend long days in these spaces because it helps manage circadian rhythms, reducing fatigue and enabling them to work more comfortably. It is also beneficial for patients undergoing surgery to have views of the garden areas outside through the large windows, which helps them stay calm and more relaxed during surgeries that do not require general anaesthesia.
The main section of the building shows not only the indoor-outdoor connection in the operating theatre, but also in the consulting rooms and other spaces with windows overlooking the garden areas. The walls are designed to allow the maximum amount of natural light to enter, such as glazed doors in the ground floor consulting rooms, glazed partitions, etc. Natural light and connection with the exterior are part of the standard spaces of the centre and express this architecture of care.
In addition, work has been carried out to unify the aesthetic criteria in all the finishes of the centre, which generates a consistent and friendly impression through the use of materials in wood tones, which are warmer and more welcoming.
The main objective is to create environments that contribute to improving the well-being and reducing the stress of patients and workers who will be using the space.