Modular Adaptable Hospital Design (MAHD)

Proposing a Design and Construction Methodology for Flexible and Adaptable Hospitals

Conference paper (2022)

Authors

Gordan Kucan ETH Zürich
Konrad Graser ETH Zürich
David Grossmann Basler and Hofmann Ag Engineers Planners and Consultants
Daniel M. Hall ETH Zürich
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Published Date

2022

Language

English

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Abstract

This paper investigates how hospitals can achieve increased flexibility and adaptability using a modular adaptable hospital design (MAHD) methodology. MAHD can be used to improve hospital lifecycle operation, including a potential implementation strategy and feasibility analysis. Drawing from 27 semi-structured interviews and design review sessions with 19 international groups of healthcare, design, engineering, and construction experts, the paper proposes a MAHD Design Methodology framework. This includes an evaluation framework composed of five design categories and 23 sub-categories complemented with a set of design guidelines developed by the researchers. The resulting design guidelines explain the process of designing and building hospitals with new MAHD technologies. The paper concludes by identifying a future implementation pathway for MAHD with the ultimate goal of applying the new modular adaptable design and construction techniques in a real hospital project. The contribution is a methodological approach for designing and constructing hospitals that can achieve greater economic, social, and environmental benefits due to non-disruptive lifecycle adaptability.