Design Approach

Tzaneen boasts a unique and beautiful natural environment. Emphasising the relationship between the interior and exterior spaces became a focus area for the design team. The design takes advantage of the building’s elevation, offering views overlooking the foothills of the North-Eastern Drakensberg Mountain Range as well as of Tzaneen, itself.

The material selection and construction methods employed on the new South Wing gives the hospital an elegant aesthetic and, although it is significantly different from the original building, the use of complementary materials, like face brick, ensures a common architectural thread.

Vertically orientated cladding breaks the horizontal mass of the structure and adds rhythm to the building façade. Full-height windows enhance access to natural daylight and the expansive views over the Magoebaskloof area.

The natural slope of the site proved advantageous in the design of the Southern wing: the new general and ICU wards could connect directly to the existing building at the same level. The consulting suites and management offices are located on first and second floor providing direct access to the existing hospital.

“All new roofs are designed with the ability to expand on the Solar Panel Network in future to optimise renewable energy strategies.””

Amenities

Admissions, pharmacy and coffee shop are located on the lower ground floor. The new main entrance is an extension of the main passage of the existing building and goes beyond the building envelope into the parking with a tree-lined walkway.

The new, terraced parking area optimises cut and fill volumes and to soften the hard landscape, intensive tree planting is envisaged.

Solar panels are located on the upper sections of the site to optimise energy efficiency. All new roofs have been designed to expand the existing Solar Panel Network, thereby increasing renewable energy capacity.

Designing for cohesive functionality and flow between new and existing uses in the hospital proved to be a significant challenge. The team concentrated on finding workable solutions in the confines of the existing hospital infrastructure that complied with patient needs and hospital operational requirements.

This process became an intense part of the project, requiring in-depth examination and documentation of the existing building to ensure the buildability of the project – especially when proposing alterations to the existing internal spaces.

Construction Phasing

The nature of the Mediclinic Tzaneen expansion programme necessitated the development of a coherent construction phasing programme. This phasing sequence minimises user discomfort, disturbance and construction duration. We took special care to make certain that infection control remained effectively managed.

Construction sites are high risk environments and incorporating a phased approach helps to mitigate potential risks to patient health and staff well-being.

Conclusion

The expansion of Mediclinic Tzaneen is a complex and exciting project that will make a positive impact to lives of the local Tzaneen community as well as patients from further afield.