ARCHITECTURAL DESIGN - V (ARN 302) 

HOSPITAL DESIGN 
CASE STUDY 
 

Introduction 

The aim of the report is to get an understanding of the hospital design ned based on the 
same. The report is a study of 2 hospitals: Government Medical College and Hospital, 
Chandigarh and L H Hiranandani hospital, Mumbai, having approximately 250 and 140 
beds respectively. 

This report will include their basic services, proximities of different services, different areas, 
planning and circulation. 

   

 
 
 

Government Medical College and Hospital, Chandigarh  

SITE 

  

 
 
 
 

The site has an area of 15 hectare and includes a medical college and hospital within. The 
250 bedded hospital was built in 1991.  

The FAR is 1.12, with a built up area of 1,68,00,000 sqm., with a ground coverage of 40%. 
Building height ranging from 20 to 28 m in different blocks.  

Basic Design  

The design is based on modules, each department has a different block, planned as self- 
sufficient modules. Each of these blocks is further designed around courtyards and atriums 
to avoid dead end corridors.   

BLOCK A - EMERGENCY  

Total area: 4200 sqm X 5 floors = 21,000 sqm 

Level 1: Obstetrics & Gynecology Wards, Antenatal Ward, Neonatal Ward, Labor Rooms, 
Premature Nursery, Gynecology OT 

Level 2: Medical Emergency, Surgical Emergency, Overflow Wands, Labs, X-Rays, 

Ultrasound, Emergency OT 

Level 3 : Craniospinal Ward, Orthopedics Ward, Cardiothoracic & Abdominal Ward, Burns 
Unit Ward, 1CU, PiQU,Gynecology OT 

Level 4 : Pediatrics Wards, Pediatrics Emergency, NICU, Dialysis Unit, 

Dermatology-Oncology- Dental Ward, Psychiatry Ward, Lecture Theatre 

Level 5 : Private Wards, Pulmonary Medicine isolation Ward, Canteen, Lecture Theatre 

BLOCK B - OPD 

Total area: 4000 sqm X ( 5+1)floors = 24,000 sqm  

Level 00 : Hospital Laundry, Engg. Services, AC Plant, Electricity Substation, Pump Roam, 
Generator Room, Boiler Room 

Level 0 : Central Stores 

 
 
 
 

Level 1 : Main Kitchen, Canteen, Central Sterile Supply Department (CSSD), Mortuary 

Level 2 : Surgery OT, High Dependency Ward (HPU) 

Level 3 : Eye, ENT, Orthopedics OF, intensive Care Unit (ICU) 

Level 4 : Male & Female Orthopedics Wards, Male & Female Surgery Wards 

Level 5 : Eye Ward, ENT Ward, Medical Labs (Endoscopy, Neurology, Echo/TMT etc.), Cardiac 
Care Unit 

Level 6 : Male & Female General Medicine Wards, Pulmonary Medicine Ward, Examination 
Hall 

BLOCK C - IPD 

Total area: 4000 sqm X ( 7+2)floors = 36,000 sqm 

Basement : Central Registration Records, Centra Pharmacy Stores 

Level 1: Reception, Registration Counters, Canteen, Sample Collection Centre, General OPD 
(12 Cabins, Screening Area},Information Technology Centre, CT Scan 

Level 2 : Obstetrics & Gynecology OPD & MOT, Family Planning Clinic, Antenatal Clinic, 
Past-Partum Clinic, Radiotherapy,OPD, Department of Community Medicine 

Level 3 : General Surgery OPD, Orthopedics OPD, ENT OPD, Radin-diagnosis Facilities, DEXA 
Scan, Diabetic Clinic 

Level 4: Eye OPO, Pulmonary Medicine OPD, Dermatology OPD, Psychiatry OPD, Daycare 
Oncology Ward 

Level 5: Medical OPD, Pediatric OPD, Department of Forensic Medicine, Library 

BLOCK D - ADMINISTRATION 

Total area: 4000 sqm X ( 5+1)floors = 24,000 sqm 

Level 1: Stores, Records  

 
 
 
 

Level 2 : Radiagonisis, Radiotherapy, ATM, Chemist, Provision Shops, Bank 

Level 3 : Director/Principal Office, Additional Director {Admn.) Office, Medical 

Superintendent Office, Nursing Superintendent Office, RTI Cell, Academic Branch, Blood 
Bank, Oral Health Care Centre 

Level 4 : ENT, Ophtha imolagy, Orthopedics 

Level 5 : Obstetrics & Gynecology, Anesthesiology & intensive Care, Pediatrics, General 
Medicine 

Level 6 : Dermatology, Psychiatry, Pulmonary Medicine 

Block A (Emergency) has a separate entrance, while the other blocks B (OPD) and C (IPD) 
have separate entrances. All these blocks are connected together internally, through the 
administrative block( block D), placed in the center.    

 
 
 
 

Circulation and connection between different blocks  

Block A: A
​ part from main emergency entrance there is another entrance to the building 
and separate connections with the IPD block and Administrative block. 

Block B: ​A main entrance to the OPD is accompanied by another, entrance which opens to 
a common area for the OPD, Academic and Administration. 

Also there are connections to the Administration block, which connects the OPD block to 
the other parts of the building. 

Block C: T
​ here are 2 entrances to the IPD. Also there are connections to the Administration 
block, which connects the IPD block to the other parts of the building. Another connection 
exists between the IPD Block and Emergency block. 

Block D: ​There exists a main entrance to the Administration block. This block serves as a 
connection between different blocks, as it stands at the central location. 

 
 
 
 

The basic circulation within the building, shown by dotted lines, is not in the form of long, 
dead end corridors. Instead it is around a central courtyard or atrium.  

PLANING 

The major spaces are located at the 4 corners of each block, so that they get sufficient light 
and ventilation and outside views.  

In between these corner spaces are other utilities and services located. 

The spaces are stacked vertically, to create a hierarchy. Separation of spaces is done by 
vertical stacking.  

The plan is like staggered rectangular blocks, maximizing the building periferi and hence 
more walls for windows (light and ventilation).  

   

 
 
 
 

L H Hiranandani hospital, Mumbai 

SITE 

  

The site is placed at a junction in Powai, in Mumbai. The wedged shaped site provides a 
building envelope which needs to be maintained in building design. There are 2 major 

 
 
 
 
entrances, first, the general entrance, common for OPD, IPD, Administration etc, all those 
visiting the hospital. Another one is the emergency entrance, which leads to the basement, 
to the emergency department directly (Entrance of ambulance to the basement). Other 
entries include the service entries. 

Sufficient ground parking ( open) is provided within the setbacks, as there exists no 
basement parking for the visitors. 

Year of establishing: 2004 

Number of beds: 130 

Site area: 7,753.91 m² 

Builtup Area : 19,500 sqm 

Ground coverage : 29% 

Building height : 18- 24m 

Basic Design and Planning 

The building is designed in Neoclassical architecture style (Exterior) .   

The rectangular hospital structure comprises of a basement, a ground floor and 6 upper 
floors  

The design arrangement effectively separates distinct functions like diagnostic/treatment 

block, the ambulatory-care block and the inpatient department, to allow smooth 
functioning of related services and separation of distant ones. 

The design capitalises on vast, open spaces, beautifully landscaped large balconies in 
rooms and lounges, to give more of homely experience to the patients and their 
attendants. The lighting and ventilation planning aspire to cheer recuperating patients and 
showcase the vistas of the Hiranandani Gardens.  

 
 
 
 

BASEMENT FLOOR 

The ambulance can rush into the basement, to the emergency department, containing 
separate OTs and services, and other wards etc.  

Also the floor includes the Diagnostics department next to the Emergency department, so 
that any testing can be done as soon as possible. 

Apart from the main departments, the floor also includes basic services and facilities on the 
same floor.  

GROUND FLOOR 

The ground floor has the Outdoor Patients Department- OPD, on one side of the entrance 
and the Administration department on the other side, opposite to OPD. 

Despite being on the same floor, the access from either to the other is not very direct, 
making it very organised.  

There exists a central circulation core, including lift lobbies and staircases. 

The ground floor has a double height entrance lobby with reception and a staircase leading 
to the first floor.  

FIRST FLOOR 

The first floor has a plan similar to that of the ground floor, but with different functions. 

SECOND FLOOR 

The second floor contains the Operation Theatres, Intensive Care Units and the maternity 
department.  

The close proximity of OT and ICU is ensured. 

There is no separate service core for the OTs. The OT lift is not separated from general 
passenger lifts. 

 
 
 
 

The maternity department generally includes surgeries and other minor procedures, so 
having it along with OT is acceptable.  

The OT also has the CSSD within it, along with Pre and Post recovery rooms, Operation 
Theatre and other facilities. 

THIRD FLOOR 

Has a plan identical to the Second floor plan. 

The second floor contains the Operation Theatres, Intensive Care Units and the Cardiac 

The close proximity of OT and ICU is ensured. 

There is no separate service core for the OTs. The OT lift is not separated from general 
passenger lifts. 

The Cardiac department generally includes surgeries and other minor procedures, so 
having it along with OT is acceptable.  

The OT also has the CSSD within it, along with Pre and Post recovery rooms, Operation 
Theatre and other facilities. 

FOURTH, FIFTH AND SIXTH FLOOR 

The fourth, fifth and sixth floors are the Inpatient Department floors or the wards. The sixth 
floor having Private/ Individual wards.   

 
 
 
 

INFERENCES 

Government Medical college and Hospital 

The separation of departments into blocks is not a very efficient way of planning as this 
requires multiplication of services for each block. 

The building plan for each block is designed with projections, to increase the perimeter and 
hence wall space. 

The inclusion of courtyards and atriums and placement of corridors around them, helps in 
avoiding long dead end corridors in the hospital. 

LH Hiranandani Hospital 

The organisation of different functions in the same building is done very efficiently, they are 
placed together yet neatly organised around a central circulation core. 

The circulation for OTs is not separated from the general circulation. OT zone is not placed 
in a very confined area.  

OPD and Diagnostics are kept relatively less connected.