Zaha Hadid Architects wins competition to design modular hospital in Italy

Zaha Hadid Architects has won an international competition to design a new modular medical campus in northern Italy. ZHA is joined by RINA, Studio Plicchi, WSP, STI Engineering, and BC Building Consulting.

Commissioned by the Lombardy Regional Health Authority, Malpensa Hospital will unite the old Gallarate and Busto Arsizio hospitals into a single facility. As detailed by ZHA, the hospital’s design addresses three fundamental priorities. They include meeting the region’s growing demand for healthcare, integrating advanced medical technology with human-centric design, and ensuring the community has access to high-quality medical services.

The hospital’s modular construction will allow it to respond to evolving health challenges and climate conditions. Each facility within the hospital is designed to be easily reconfigured. The structure will span approximately 968,752 square feet and comprise five above-ground levels and one basement. The organization of space is driven by the intensity of care.

Dedicated circulation pathways for visitors, patients, staff, and goods will minimize interference between the public and staff, reducing the risk of contamination. An automated delivery system will be employed to boost the efficiency for patients and staff.

At ground level, the hospital features a central internal street that links the entrance plaza and landscaped areas, reinforcing accessibility and community integration. Indoor spaces will be made to optimize natural light and acoustic comfort. 

Gardens, courtyards, and landscaped rooftop terraces are integrated throughout the structure, which allow for spaces for rehabilitation and relaxation. The interiors also feature a material palette of natural finishes, such as wood and textiles, to promote a therapeutic environment.

The hospital’s site is surrounded by forests and agricultural land within the Regional Ecological Network and near the Parco Regionale della Valle del Ticino. The project embraces biophilic principles by preserving these ecosystems, minimizing hydrological impact, and embedding the historic Cascina dei Poveri, an ancient rural complex, within the campus.

The building’s envelope comprises modular aluminum rainscreen panels with integrated planters and solar shading chosen for durability, recyclability, and low embodied carbon. In addition, a photovoltaic system will supply roughly a quarter of the hospital’s electricity needs. The use of modular prefabrication technologies is set to reduce waste, investment, and construction time.

According to the design team, Malpensa Hospital aims to connect with its surrounding communities through a network of dedicated public access routes, public transport links, cycling paths, and pedestrian walkways.