Nouvel Hôpital Civil

The new hôpital civil, or civil hospital, a masterpiece designed by French architect Claude Vasconi

The new civil hospital was completed in 2008, after a huge building phase lasting 8 years. It was designed by French architect Claude Vasconi, who was also the architect of the nearby hôtel du Département.

Originally planned to house the cardiopulmonary departments and to be part of the vast “historical” hospital (some buildings of which date back to the 15th century), the revised program sees the new hospital covering a far wider scope.

22 departments, 715 beds and 500 doctors over 90,000 m²

The new civil hospital now contains 22 different departments, 715 beds and 2700 employees, including 500 doctors, within a surface area of 90,000 m², spread over 8 floors, 2 of which are at basement level.

Visitors arrive in a vast reception area. On either side, 2 buildings form an interior volume structured by a series of connections.

Vasconi’s aim was to break with the traditional system of individual buildings and to focus on circulation and natural light, while integrating the building in the historical site, within the city. The new hospital is a major architectural and technical feat, which meets the technical, functional and safety requirements set out by the program, while also highlighting architectural creativity within the architect’s own urban design.