The hospital of the future views itself as being a modern service provider: the patient is a customer who is wooed with a medical and care-focused service. Central aspect of this new thinking in the field of health care provision is the quality of life and the well-being of patients, staff and visitors. Architecture and design are becoming integral components of the approach to treatment and recovery. Special uses of light and colour, sustainability in the choice of materials and the flexibility of rooms: all form innovative concepts in contemporary hospital architecture – whether brand new building, conversion, or extension project. Hospital Architecture for the Future focuses its attention on over 100 high quality buildings in Germany, Austria and Switzerland. Using texts, photos, design sketches and ground plans, the collection illustrates the shape of pioneering trends in contemporary hospital buildings. All of these architects have one thing in common: the endeavour to make the individual, and the needs of the individual, the key focus of their designs.

* Mildred-Scheel-Haus in Dresden, Germany (Behnisch & Partner)
* Orthopädische Kinderklinik in Aschau, Germany (Nickl & Partner)
* REHAB Basel, Switzerland (Herzog & de Meuron)
* Landeskrankenhaus Graz-West, Austria (Domenig Eisenköck Gruber)