A super-specialty hospital dealing in oncology, HCG Mangalam in Jaipur provides complete under-a-single-roof cancer care. Equipped with state-of-the-art infrastructure and technology that is at par with global standards, HCG Mangalam provides all its patients with access to the latest developments in cancer therapy, research, and cure. Located in sector 5, Mansarovar within Jaipur on 2.66 acres of land, this institution has established the benchmarks in cancer treatment across the nation.
This project is a brainchild of Mr. N K Gupta, Chairman, Manglam Builders, Jaipur who envisioned the provision of a specialized healthcare facility which is accessible, attractive and yet economical. The project was ideated around the use of an existing hospital and seamlessly blending it with the new construction. The idea was not to demolish the existing hospital building, to save time and resources and structure the new building around the existing building, thereby enveloping it from all sides. This helped maximize on ground coverage to achieve maximum built-up area to be usable for hospital purposes.
At a quick glance- the building appears to be comprised of two different parts interspaced with a smaller building at the center. This limitation was used as an opportunity and an attractive building signage was designed on the small blank facade to balance the entire volume of the building volume. The elevation of the building has an ornate combination of façade elements- window panels and tiled strips interspaced with continuous jali patterns which overall produce a visibly delightful façade to the structure, which is attractive yet economical and low-maintenance.
The vision was to launch the complete project in two phases, phase one comprising of the renovated existing building and left side wing (around 50% of the built-up area) and the complete right wing as the second phase. The shape of the new structure has been carefully planned so as to achieve two courtyards between the existing and the new building. These courtyards have been designed to ensure adequate natural light and ventilation in all parts of the built area. Also, these courtyards act as much needed relief spaces for patients and visitors.
The challenge was to make the best use of the existing building which was in the center of the square-shaped site. We developed our concept with brainstorming on the most efficient circulation pattern while assigning right functions to the existing building. We designed two entrance lobbies on either side - left or right wing. Phase one was designed in the left side wing as an Oncology specialty Hospital focusing on oncology treatment and therapy center. The existing building acted as the focal point of the hospital which would be beneficial when the entire hospital is operational. All operation theatres, pre, and post-operative wards were structured in the existing building which was centrally located and eventually would be used by the entire hospital.
Since the building volume was becoming fragmented, consequently the challenge was to design an efficient circulation pattern for patients, visitors, doctors, staff and services. The functions have been placed on site in an optimal and efficient manner in order to reduce the on-foot movement. The circulation patterns and the arrangement of the corridors have been planned so that the various zones and departments are in proximity to each other; special care has been taken so that these departments have efficient intra and inter-linkages. The service cores have been strategically placed to enable the unobstructed flow of doctors, patients, staffs, and visitors; appropriate measures have been taken to segregate the movement routes for as much as can be achieved. There is an abundant provision of ramps, guiding floor tiles and all other amenities to make the building barrier-less, and making disabled-friendly. The design enables sufficient ingress of natural light and ventilation in every room, which contributes towards the mental and psychological well-being of the patients and their carers.
A uniform grid of eight meters by eight meters has been used. This provides the much-needed flexibility as well as adaptability in the design. With the fast-paced age, new technologies and facilities roll out frequently; to ensure that the design provides enough option for future remodeling was one of the prime necessities. The other factors that played an active role in deciding the structural grid would be the sizes of spaces like consultation chambers, patient’s rooms and wards, operation theatres, corridors, parking bays as well as spaces like waiting lobbies and circulation corridors.
The various departments like Out Patient Department, Emergency and Trauma Care, In-Patient Department as well as staff and service departments all have been provided separate entry points in order to segregate the various circulation profiles. This, in turn, helps in better pedestrian traffic movement and forming multiple circulation paths and usage zones.
The Ground Floor is dedicated mainly to entrance lobbies, waiting spaces, Out Patient Department, Emergency block, Radiology department, and day care ward. The left wing and the existing block in the center are solely dedicated to Oncology. Oncology Radiology, Stores and Retail space for oncology has been placed at the lower ground floor of the existing block. The rear wing houses service facilities like staff change rooms, kitchen and dining areas. Staff parking has been placed on the right side of the rear floor.
The first floor is equipped with the blood bank and laboratories in the left wing. The existing block houses all the operation theaters. All the Intensive Care Units are placed on the rear wing and in one half of the right wing. The remaining half of the right wing houses all the catheterization labs. The second floor of the left wing houses the Pediatric ICU as well as the High Dependency Units, while the right wing houses the Delivery suites and the In-Vitro Fertilization units. Neonatal Intensive Care Units are placed on the second floor of the central wing and Administration departments and general departments are planned on the third floor. The Bone Marrow Transplantation ward has been planned in the left wing of the fourth floor while the other two wings accommodate the private and semi-private rooms. Patient suites, private and semi-private suites are all located on the fifth floor. The basement houses parking, service facilities, linear accelerators and bio-medical (hazardous and non-hazardous) waste storage facility.
Overall, the design reflects a functional approach towards the designing of a hospital premise that packs all the facilities under one institution, while ensuring the well-being of the patients. This one-stop-facility has been a big boon for the local community, providing the much-needed cancer care facilities in a region, where such facilities were previously dormant.