The core objective of this project was to address the imperative need for an Emergency Medical Center capable of effectively responding to endemic, pandemic, and national emergency disasters. By employing adaptive reuse and proposing a flexible structure, the project aimed to repurpose an abandoned or existing infrastructure to fulfill this critical function.
The chosen site, the Arts and Crafts Village, held a strategic location on the 7th Avenue in close proximity to residential sectors in Islamabad. This abandoned site was surrounded by two prominent public and private hospitals within a 3km radius. Comprised of scattered building blocks and ample green areas, the existing typology followed a local courtyard veranda pattern with cellular spaces.
While the site offered natural sterilization, it lacked the necessary connectivity required for an emergency center, despite the presence of well-constructed paved pathways. To address this issue, the proposed structure incorporated a symbiotic relationship with the existing building, drawing inspiration from the mutually beneficial relationship of healthy parasites and their hosts.
The proposed structure was designed to accommodate three distinct modes: normal mode, pandemic mode, and disaster mode. Through expansion, the structure could efficiently manage healthcare workflows and increase its patient capacity as needed during surges in demand. The cellular typology ensured the availability of isolation cubicles, crucial for addressing local endemics such as Tuberculosis, Malaria, Dengue, and Hepatitis A and C, as well as pandemics like COVID-19, mitigating the risk of transmission.
Environmental design strategies were employed to optimize the project's sustainability. These included the use of bamboo fabric for the modules, solar panels, cooling techniques for the building envelope through green roofs and vertical solar walls, lighting optimization, double-glazed low-E glass, harnessing natural wind patterns, implementation of trellises for shading, natural surface sterilization methods, and the integration of cellular typology to facilitate gender segregation. Additionally, measures such as mosquito repellent plantations and sun shading through trees were incorporated.
Through adaptive reuse and sustainable strategies, this project successfully created an inherently efficient center for patient care, while ensuring an optimal healthcare workflow. The integration of green roofs, solar walls, and existing green spaces resulted in a 100% green cover with minimal negative impact on the site.
In conclusion, this project exemplifies the fusion of architectural vision with the urgent need for an Emergency Medical Center. By repurposing existing infrastructure and employing sustainable strategies, the design provides a robust framework for comprehensive patient care, effectively addressing both endemic and pandemic health challenges. The integration of environmentally conscious measures further reinforces the project's commitment to sustainability and resilience in the face of emergencies.
