MedVie: A New Dawn in Healthcare Architecture

Alberto Torres' MedVie Project Redefines Medical Spaces

The MedVie project, located in Caxias do Sul, Brazil, is a unique architectural endeavor that reimagines the traditional perception of medical buildings. The design was inspired by two "wings" that open to the corner, creating a welcoming space for the community and embracing both the surroundings and the user. The complex is arranged along a central axis, which not only organizes the spaces but also directs people to the interior of the building. This leads to a large central lobby where shops, cafes, clinics, and a day hospital are integrated into a wide space bathed by natural light.

One of the unique properties of the MedVie project is its ability to "oxygenate" the user experience. The building is designed to be more than just a medical center; it is a center of social activity, providing a welcoming environment for patients and healthcare professionals. The project aims to be an open space for the community, with a volumetric proposal developed with two wings that house the medical offices and open to the corner and to the public space through a large void in the axis of the building.

The MedVie architectural project was carried out on the BIM platform, where all the volume was tested, as well as the compatibility with the other complementary projects. A physical model of 9.00 m was built for the sales stand. The structural system of the project is in reinforced concrete, with its outer shell composed of high-performance glasses, composite aluminum panels, and sandstone cladding from the region at the base of the building.

Alberto Torres and his team faced the challenge of creating an environment that was not cold and technological, for an extremely complex program that would break the paradigm of the traditional health complexes in Brazil. A survey was conducted with the target public of medical professionals and patients about the needs and expectations of future users of the medical center, where a great desire was identified for the creation of a pleasant and peaceful not-like hospital environment.

The MedVie project is a testament to the power of innovative design in transforming the user experience. It is a shining example of how architecture can be used to humanize spaces and create a positive environment, even in traditionally cold and clinical settings like medical buildings. The project is a beacon of hope for the future of healthcare design, showing that it is possible to create spaces that are not only functional and efficient but also warm, welcoming, and human-centric.