When it comes to Tibet, a kaleidoscope of colors invariably springs to mind. The vibrant hues of the prayer flags—azure like the sky, white like clouds, red like blazing fire, green like pristine waters, and yellow like the fertile earth—reflect the region's rich culture. Over centuries, these colors have permeated into the architecture, garments, and cuisine of Tibet, becoming an integral feature of its culture. The Tibet Maternity and Children's Hospital stands out as the first true Children's hospital on the Tibetan Plateau, addressing the need for modern medical services in this high-altitude expanse.
In the Tibetan culture, the offering of Hada is a traditional and lofty ceremony. Hada represents the meaning of auspiciousness and congratulations. View from the air, the architectural form of the Tibet Maternity and Children's Hospital is like two dancing Hada, signifying blessings and auspiciousness.
The architectural design of the Tibet Maternity and Children's Hospital employs state-of-the-art international concepts, integrating regional cultural elements, with an emphasis on the psychological needs of its users.
This project is composed of a pediatric medical cluster housing 500 beds and an obstetric medical cluster with 150 beds. In the building layout of“Dancing Hada”, the north and south wings are respectively set up as children's and women's health care complexes. Considering that children are an active and lively patient demographic, while mothers require a tranquil and comfortable environment, this thoughtful division enhances the suitability of the layout. At the heart of the design, a colorful building serves as the shared medical core region, providing essential services to both wings.
In response to the special needs presented by a high volume of pediatric patients, the pediatric ward is designed with small nursing units, each accommodating 30 beds, and includes dedicated nurse stations to ease the workload of the staff. Emphasizing openness, the ward's design incorporates transparent walls and observation windows, enhancing visibility and preventing accidents.
The exterior of the building is made of colorful perforated aluminum panels and colored glazed glass, inspired by the traditional Tibetan women's dress,“Bangdian”, which not only symbolizes their maturity and beauty, but also serves as a frame for the outdoor scenery as well as an offset for the indoor scenery everywhere.
The interior color is anchored in deep blue, green, and light blue, symbolizing the ocean, forest, and sky, respectively. The children's area is designed to foster a sense of calm and tranquility for pediatric patients, while the maternity area focuses on enhancing warmth and comfort. This color system will also be implemented in the management of materials and documents, improving both efficiency and recognizability.
At the outset of the project, the local government initially aimed to establish a children's hospital catering to patients aged 0 to 14 years. Given the Tibet Autonomous Region's relatively underdeveloped economic status within China, there is a corresponding scarcity in medical resources and healthcare awareness among some segments of the population, leading to a high incidence of pediatric diseases. A primary reason identified was the insufficient prenatal care and necessary medical interventions available to pregnant women. Based on the thorough research analysis, it has been proposed to expand the project to include a Maternity and Children's Hospital catering to patients from -1 (prenatal) to 18 years. This expansion aims to provide comprehensive prenatal care and interventions for newborns, thereby effectively enhancing the health levels of children.
In Tibet, where there is a significant number of illiterate or semi-literate patients, we designed a web-like structure that extends from the first floor all the way up to the skylight in the roof. This structure serves as a vertical transportation nucleus as well as a major load-bearing function, while the rest of the lobby is column-free to minimize visual obstructions for parents watching over their children. Inside, the various areas are differentiated by distinct colors and animal figures, designed specifically to aid illiterate or semi-literate patients to quickly and accurately locate the required service areas..
Due to the fragile ecological environment of the Lhasa region, the architectural design requires a series of sustainable strategies to reduce energy consumption, conserve resources, and protect the environment.
To maximize the natural light, the north and south wings of the hospital were rotated by 22°. Additionally, light wells are placed in the deeper sections of the building to ensure that interiors receive ample daylight without additional lighting. This thoughtful integration of natural ventilation and lighting significantly reduces the building's energy consumption.
There is no municipal heating in Lhasa in winter, but solar energy resources are abundant. The architectural design thoughtfully considers orientation and modular spatial layouts, harnessing the thermal insulation and heat-retention effects of sunrooms. Smaller window openings are incorporated on the north side, while the south and west facades boast larger expanses of glass to maximize solar gain efficiency.
Surrounding the atrium, sunlit corridors create an entrance hall that remains warm in winter and cool in summer. The rooftop is equipped with photovoltaic panels and vacuum tube solar collectors, fully capitalizing on the ample sunlight to achieve significant annual electricity generation and heating capacity, thereby realizing the integration of solar energy buildings.
For the hospital environment, which is characterized by high and fluctuating personnel density, a digital fresh air system has been designed. This system employs EC fans and intelligent ventilation modules that automatically adjust the supply of fresh air based on indoor CO2 concentrations and temperature, ensuring precise indoor temperature control. Prefabricated components and materials bearing a green building certification are chosen, alongside innovative wall materials suited to the high-altitude climate,which have improved the energy-saving and heat preservation effect of the interior.

Chief Designers: Wang Miao, Zhang Shuhui
Assistant Designers: Shi Lan, Jia Ruotian, Yang Zhiqiang