The New Hospital in Monopoli-Fasano is an innovative, sustainable project that respects the area’s cultural heritage and has led to the creation of a strategic healthcare centre of excellence for the area. The construction contract covered all civil works and installations. Commissioned by the Province of Bari Local Health Authority, the hospital was designed according to criteria inspired by the principles of eco-design and was conceived as a real ‘hospital in a park’. Indeed, the structure is set in an olive orchard that creates a wide strip of agricultural landscape, designed to harmonise the new building with its surroundings. 

Sustainable technologies and innovative materials are predominant elements of this project. The new buildings meet bioclimate design criteria (e.g. ventilated walls, storage and transformation of solar energy and rainwater, etc.). Craftsmanship and traditional materials, such as the historic ‘dry stone walls’, were used to build the perimeter walls following an ancient technique that was recognised as an Intangible Cultural Heritage in 2018.

System design was inspired by proven energy-saving criteria and a high degree of reliability to ensure continuity, flexibility and safety of the services. Eco-friendly and locally sourced materials were preferred. The construction and technological solutions were developed to optimise the energy efficiency of the structure, such as high-efficiency energy production using renewable energy, reuse of rainwater for irrigation, and flexible regulation of system operation. The facility’s electricity needs will also be covered by a photovoltaic system with a capacity of 915 kWp. 

The new hospital will cover 178,000 m², with 299 beds and 9 operating theatres for all major medical and surgical areas, related intensive care and outpatient and diagnostic services. The facility also includes an A&E unit and a car park with 742 spaces, benefiting a catchment area of 260,000 potential users. There are also plans to renovate a building near the healthcare facility for use as a nursery for the children of hospital employees.