Aakash Healthcare Hospital, Delhi

IIDC Architects: An Architectural Synthesis of Care, Efficiency, and Identity

Aakash Healthcare Hospital in Dwarka, New Delhi, stands today as a benchmark for progressive healthcare architecture—one that seamlessly integrates clinical precision, operational efficiency, and human-centered design. Spearheaded by IIDC Architects under the leadership of Ar. Manu Malhotra, and vision of Dr. Aashish Chaudhry MD & CEO Aakash Healthcare and blessing of Dr. JC Chaudhry Chairman Aakash Healthcare & Founder of Aakash Education Services the hospital recently completed expansion and reimagination reflects a deep sensitivity to site constraints, institutional identity, and the layered needs of modern healthcare delivery.

The architectural intervention was rooted in a rigorous masterplanning process, orchestrated to bring coherence to a site characterized by an irregular land profile and a dense, acoustically challenging neighborhood. With an existing structure comprising three basements, a ground floor, and seven upper floors,IIDC’s approach focused on both vertical and lateral expansion: two new blocks were added to either side of the existing tower, and two additional floors were constructed atop the original structure. Spatial zoning was reorganized such that critical care, surgery, and ambulatory services occupy the lower levels, while inpatient rooms and administrative functions are elevated to the upper floors—optimizing patient access and workflow circulation apart from NBC 2016 Part4 compliance

A new façade strategy—designed using fire-rated ACP panels and high-performance paints—served both aesthetic and functional goals. Visually, it tied disparate elements together with deliberate horizontal and vertical line definitions that introduced rhythm and proportion. Functionally, the system offered reduced maintenance and improved performance. A key feature is the grand entrance portal—a bold, rectilinear frame articulated in glass—that anchors the visual language of the façade and acts as a spatial threshold into the hospital. This formal gesture gives the entire building a clear focal point and communicates both accessibility and distinction.
Although the original facility anticipated expansion, it lacked the MEP&F readiness to support it. IIDC navigated this challenge by carefully retrofitting new structural connections and reworking existing service-intensive walls—some housing essential fluid pipelines—while ensuring uninterrupted hospital operations. This level of technical resolution exemplifies how engineering and design can be aligned through foresight and precision.

A major highlight is the International Patient Lounge, which redefines the waiting experience through spatial
storytelling. This multi-functional zone supports services like translation, visa assistance, and currency exchange. It is infused with biophilic design principles, including vertical gardens and a foliage-wrapped globe installation that reinforces the hospital’s global positioning. The use of sleek modular furniture, and ambient lighting evokes a premium, hospitality-like experience—moving away from sterile clinical environments toward holistic healing spaces.

Texture and material articulation play a vital role in enhancing the sensory quality of the interiors. Patterned flooring transitions, perforated metal panels to provide semi-transparent privacy in shared spaces, and soft acoustic paneling contribute to a balanced environment that is both functional and emotionally supportive. A palette of warm neutrals, soft greys, and light wood accents establishes a calm, contemporary aesthetic, while warm white mood lighting layers the spaces with intimacy and clarity—accommodating diverse functional requirements and emotional needs.
The flooring throughout the hospital employs engineered stone—chosen for its resilience, natural aesthetic, and ease of maintenance—avoiding the fragility of Italian marble and the heaviness of granite. The use of Vinyl floors in clean room applications complimenting the overall look and feel of the project. The interior enhances the recovery pattern of the patients with careful selection of colours and natural-light. The building is designed also keeping in mind the neighborhood and hence at many locations its designed as an inward looking building.

In every move—from the macro scale of site orchestration to the micro precision of light, line, and material—IIDC Architects have curated a healthcare environment that transcends utility. Aakash Healthcare is not merely an expanded hospital; it is a thoughtfully reimagined healing ecosystem, crafted with vision, empathy, and architectural intelligence.