Angdong Hospital Project / Rural Urban Framework

XIANGXI, CHINA
Architects: Rural Urban Framework
Area: 1450 m²
Year: 2011
Commissioning Donor: Institute of integrated Rural Development
Additional Donors: Luke Him Sau Charitable Trust
Project Manager: Maggie K Y Ma
Total Cost: 272,000 USD (1,697,250 RMB)
Unit Cost: 190 USD/sqm (1,170 RMB/sqm)
Architect In Charge: Joshua Bolchover, John Lin
Design Team: Rural Urban Framework, Joshua Bolchover, John Lin
Project Team: Mark Kingsley, Jeffery Huang, Crystal Kwan, Huang Zhiyun, Tiffany Leung,
Johnny Cullinan, Tanya Tsui, Joyce Ip
Project Manager: Maggie K Y Ma
City: Xiangxi
Country: China
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© Rural Urban Framework (RUF)
Text description provided by the architects. Rural healthcare in China currently faces a multitude
of challenges. Rural institutions are generally unfavourable compared to those in urban locales.
Government subsidies and the raising of doctor and hospital incomes also lead to overcharging
and needless treatments and exams. Commissioned by a Hong Kong charity, Institute for
Integrated Rural Development, this project involves designing China’s first charitable hospital
whilst helping foster a new attitude toward rural healthcare.
© Rural Urban Framework (RUF)
Working closely with the charity and government in Angdong Village of Hunan Province, our
task was to develop a model rural health care building capable of supporting the many
progressive reforms on rural hospital management and care giving. This includes providing
basic necessities absent in current establishments, some as simple as waiting rooms.
Additionally, seeing that most institutions in China, such as schools and hospitals, are walled off
and managed as contained programs, we were interested in re-introducing the hospital as a
publicly-friendly facility. Reintroducing hospital as a public friendly institution. Accessible to less
fortunate.
© Rural Urban Framework (RUF)
Floor Plan
© Rural Urban Framework (RUF)
© Rural Urban Framework (RUF)
The program of a hospital is re-configured from its conventional form. The design begins with a
simple strategy to provide a continuous ramp access to all floors. A wide ramp allows for seating
and improves circulation. This also creates a large central courtyard space open for public use.
The ramp was not only used as PWD feature but also integrated in a public space. At the
ground level, the courtyard provides additional steps for seating and serves as an outdoor
waiting area. Materials consist of both recycled traditional bricks, which form the exterior façade,
and custom designed concrete screen blocks, which flank the interior spiral passageway.
Recycled materials. Though from a distance they appear like the common type, these custom
blocks are cast in a flexible latex mold. The resulting courtyard exhibits a soft and smoothly
changing quality, casting variable shadows throughout the day.
© Rural Urban Framework (RUF)
Originally published on 7 October, 2014.