Bridging the Grand Canal:  A Hospital Campus with Harmonious Flow

Jiaxing is a beautiful prefecture-level city along the Grand Canal of China in the northern Zhejiang province between Hangzhou and Shanghai. Jiaxing Traditional Medicine Hospital has delegated HDR as the architect to design their new replacement hospitals on an existing campus site to accommodate their expanding clinical care services for the people of Jiaxing.

With approximately 1,000 beds, the Jiaxing Traditional Chinese Medicine Hospital is designed to bridge the Grand Canal with two phases: Phase 1 North will house the main departments, while Phase 2 South will hold the traditional medical department and administrative office building.  

Flowing Water Inspires Healthcare Design

The architectural language, operational design and patient journey were designed under the concept of “Flowing Water” to ensure a harmonious campus environment that utilizes the existing landscape of the site.

The façade design emphasizes Flowing Water with elegant curves, while the landscape design includes a circular bridge that connects the north and south sides of the campus, embracing the Grand Canal as a water feature and creating pedestrian-friendly gathering spaces with healing gardens and views.

Deeper within the Flowing Water concept is the idea of motion, convergence and integration to provide a richer experience for patients, visitors and staff. In traditional culture, water is considered a soothing element for the heart and may bring good fortune.