CASE STUDY AL JALILA HOSPITAL
On the ground floor, all functions are
visible from the atrium to perform the best connection between departments.
SAvIng energy Particular attention has been given to energy saving strategies, aimed to reduce the global energetic demand of the hospital and to introduce the application of concepts of sustainability in a healthcare facility following the LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) protocol, that made this project win the 2011 Hospital Build Middle East Award for Best Sustainable Hospital Project. The architecture itself has been the principal issue that helps minimize the energetic needs of the building. Different technical choices have been
developed after computer simulations and solar analysis realized in different moments of the year, revealing the most critical surfaces of the building. The vegetation system of the ‘Al Jalila
Children Specialty Hospital’ consists of a variety of spaces placed at different levels. The plan is composed of one park, external
and internal courtyards, and six healing gardens, facing the complex needs of the different users of the hospital. Location and orientation of the gardens and the organization of open and close spaces have been studied with the purpose to maximize their visibility and accessibility, taking into account the environmental characteristics of the area, in order to better control the microclimate. The hospital roofs are covered with
50% greenery. This feature absorbs sound and noise pollution and provides carbon sequestration. This situation reduces the surfaces
exposed by the sun, and therefore heat transfer into the building, creating a cooling effect, reducing the urban heat by island effect by about 2°C. There are also some benefits regarding the efficiency of solar panels. It is well known that the excessive solar exposition is negative and can decrease their performance. Cutting down reflection and temperature on the plant, thanks to green roofs, can improve about the 8% of solar panels performance. More than 5000sqm of photovoltaic panels will be installed on the hospital roof, producing 1.100.000 kWh a year, providing enough energy to supply most healthcare activities and avoiding total carbon dioxide emissions of about 650 ton per year.
CLImATe COndITIOnS External walls are designed to the best climatic condition of the hospital rooms. Coloured, screen-printed glass, partially transparent, shades exposed surfaces of the inner courts, contributing in lowering sun incidence. The ‘active façades’ cover the main portion
of the hospital, they are composed of a double window frame housing shading plates, equipped with HVAC system of aspiration, that creates an airflow inside the room keeping constant temperature during the day and reducing the energy consumption for air conditioning. The result of an engineering assessment reveals the breakeven is around five years with around 1 million AED saved every year. Focusing on patients’ comfort and
wellbeing, the project dealt with acoustic impact issues. Previous studies revealed the negative noise effect of the hospital surface considering the main two sources existing in the area: the highway and the reflected noise coming from the existing buildings. To enhance patient comfort, the level of noise can be intensively reduced by a green dune at the border of the area in the direction of the street. The dune is another strategy that reinforces the sustainability of the hospital covering the power station and creating a natural barrier for the din, preserving the quality of the quiet environment necessary for the healing process. In the sustainable configuration of the
building, the project includes a system of water recycling: it is possible to collect grey water coming from showers and wash basins in a waste water tank and reuse the fluid for flush pipes and irrigation after filtration and treatment. Also the HVAC system of the façade
allows the recycling of water condensation, saving about the 28% of the water needed for the cooling tower. Water saving means cost saving and is a LEED goal accomplishment. HB
‘The architecture itself has been the principal issue that helps minimize the energetic needs of the building
Hospital Build Issue 4 2011
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