Hôpital Universitaire Saint-Ouen Grand Paris Nord

Saint-Ouen / France

The Grand Paris-Nord University Hospital reimagines healthcare by combining advanced clinical technology with human experience and nature. Unlike 19th-century pavilions that lacked functionality and 20th-century facilities that prioritized efficiency over well-being, this hospital is designed for long-term adaptability. Its modular structure, flexible programming, and green spaces, including rooftop forests and planted courtyards, create a healing environment for patients and staff. Harmonizing with its urban context, the hospital enhances both healthcare and the surrounding community.

Aerial view of a city featuring a modern urban development with extensive green roofs and courtyards, flanked by older buildings and a distant skyline.

©Pierre Brillet

Designed for the long term with a systematic approach to flexibility and adaptability

The project arises from the consolidation of two outdated hospitals that no longer meet modern healthcare needs. RPBW was selected to design the new facility after winning a major design competition in 2021. The design principles prioritize modularity, flexibility, and long-term adaptability to accommodate the region’s evolving healthcare requirements. Architecturally, the layout features a carefully planned structural grid, optimized ceiling heights, and "T-shaped" modular programming. This approach creates a flexible framework that allows the facility to adapt and expand as healthcare needs change over time.

A bright, modern reception area with a wooden ceiling, a large glass wall overlooking trees, a counter labeled "Accueil," and several people.

Modern building complex surrounding a public plaza with people, trees, and a green roof.

Architectural plan of a large urban development featuring multiple green courtyards, buildings, and tree-lined pathways, surrounded by existing city blocks, with some areas highlighted in orange.

A technologically advanced and humanist hospital to face the growing needs of the Paris region for decades to come

Modern building interior with a multi-level glass staircase and a glass wall viewing an atrium with trees. People move through the sunlit space.

A forest in the city and a connection to nature from every room

The project is designed to provide both visual and physical access to nature and natural light, featuring a series of planted courtyards that bring daylight deep into the building. These green spaces, distributed across various levels, enhance the well-being of patients and staff by offering direct connections to nature. From the forested rooftop, users can enjoy views of the city, while the building, crowned with greenery, blends harmoniously with the surrounding trees. This design softens the facility’s presence in the city and improves the neighborhood’s environmental quality.

A wooden path bordered by trees and grass leads to a cityscape view with people.

An architectural cross-section of a multi-story building complex featuring green roofs and internal tree-filled courtyards.

A building with a green roof and trees on it

A woman is sitting on a window sill next to a hospital bed talking on a cell phone

Technological excellence with a focus on performance, reliability and adaptability

The Grand Paris-Nord University Hospital is a revolutionary healthcare facility designed to meet the evolving needs of modern medicine. Its layout is based on superimposed, identical service units of equal height, which prioritize flexibility and adaptability. Each unit is neutral, reversible, and flooded with natural light, allowing for dynamic spatial reorganization to respond to varying medical requirements. By eliminating unnecessary installations, the design focuses on the hospital's capacity to adjust to both immediate and long-term healthcare challenges.

Embracing change is fundamental to the hospital’s design, making it a model for the future of healthcare. With constantly shifting healthcare needs, techniques, and staffing requirements, the hospital is built to remain adaptable. Its flexible framework ensures it can respond to these changes while maintaining efficiency and high-quality patient care. Rooted in sustainability, the Grand Paris-Nord University Hospital is not only a place for healing but also a symbol of how medical institutions can thrive in an ever-changing environment.