AQSO arquitectos office. The louvred facade works as a double skin wrapping the hospital, the facade behind shows a checkered pattern of openings.

The new Transplant Hospital in Cluj aims to become a pivotal development for the health complex. Following the orthogonal grid of the campus, the building is presented as a compact cube, carefully positioned to arrange a functional public space around it and liberate a generous public plaza.

Salvador Mata
Myriam Vizcaino
Luis Aguirre
Razvan Brezoianu
Noelia Acebes
Elisa Martín
Adrián González
Elvira Parro

Location: Cluj-Napoca, Rumanía
Area: 21460 sqm
Client: Cluj County Council
Team: Mata y Asociados + AQSO

AQSO arquitectos office. The physical model shows the new building within the urban context and the landscape connecting with the park.

The building combines the strong presence of a landmark with the soft treatment of its permeable facade, offering a friendly urban facade. The landscape around the building adopts a more fluid and dynamic language, strategically connecting the access points, enhancing the accessibility of the sloped terrain, making the intervention part of the urban fabric and extending the park to the upper terrace.

AQSO arquitectos office. The hospital entrance lobby is a generous double height space enclosed by a curtain wall, it counts with a seating area and a reception counter.
AQSO arquitectos office. The cross-section shows both the hospital's relationship with the campus and the urban environment and the abundant vegetation that enhances the interior of the building.

The highly functional internal organisation is based on providing a safe and efficient physical environment that promotes wellbeing for patients, visitors and staff.

AQSO arquitectos office. The facade of the transplant centre is a precious skin that changes with the light and the shadows. The moire effect provides a dynamic appearance.
AQSO arquitectos office. Floor plan layouts coded by colours. The hospital comprises several departments and circuits for supplies, linen, patients, medical staff and visitors.

The multiple inner courtyards inserted at every level provide cross ventilation, natural light and views as required. The careful balance between mass and void results in a porous and permeable building, like a spongy organ with alveoli efficiently connected with a hierarchical circulation system. The result is a building with multiple open spaces and green areas, a welcoming and relaxing environment focused on the efficiency of the layout both for the front and back of house operations.

AQSO arquitectos office. The hospital rooms are designed to keep patients in contact with nature, providing greenery and welcoming and warm atmosphere.
AQSO arquitectos office. The transplant centre is a modern building, compact in shape and with a functional arrangement. The minimalist aesthetic of the exterior resembles an institutional public building.

The pure and symbolic building form is then protected with a wrapping skin. This external louvred facade controls the sunlight facilitates the maintenance and provides a unifying external appearance.

The compact and rational building massing comes from an optimised functional arrangement of the programme. The scheme is supported by a consistent structural grid that works seamlessly with the basement, the typical rooms and the operating theatres while allowing flexibility for future modifications.

The building counts with two underground levels, one for the car park and one for services, plant rooms and deliveries. That level is also accessible from Victor Babeș street, where the emergency area is located.

AQSO arquitectos office. Detailed section of the hospital showing the entrance lobby in the ground floor and the operation rooms on the top floor.

The ground floor counts with a generous double-height space open towards the public plaza, working as an entrance lobby. On the opposite side, a series of lifts and staircases made up the core of the building, connecting the levels vertically. The typical floors provide space for the different departments around a central courtyard. In contrast, the operating rooms, located on the top floor, have direct access to the heliport on the roof.

AQSO arquitectos office. From the new public plaza the building opens up its skin at the lower level to provide access through the ground floor.
AQSO arquitectos office. The open plan of the nurse's station enjoys the view of the green courtyards and has easy access to all the patient's rooms around.

The proposal is conceived under sustainable design principles, including materiality, connection with nature, control of natural light, space planning optimisation, air quality and energy consumption.