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Leoben Regional Hospital - an exemplary task for architecture
Leoben Regional Hospital is a fine example of how modern architectural interventions can bring a 50-year old hospital to a state-of-the-art standard, both in terms of function and architecture.
It had already become evident during the competition that updating Leoben Hospital to today’s standards would be a unique challenge - after all, most hospitals built in the 1960s no longer meet modern requirements.
The core of this task was to integrate the new service wing, existing operating theatres and outpatient department into the overall complex. Besides focusing on all functional requirements, the architects also sought to create innovative architecture that would draw attention to the competence and quality of medical care at Leoben Hospital. The issue of old and new architecture needed to be reformulated. Apart from refurbishing the façades, the aim was to integrate the hospital into a holistic architectural concept that takes both functional and structural-cultural requirements seriously.
The particular quality of this building was achieved by providing access to the local Annaberg recreation area via the fourth floor, thus enhancing the narrowness of the site. Today’s park, a rest zone with green space, is not only an asset for patients and visitors, but also for hospital staff.
A visiting card for visitors and patients alike is the main thoroughfare in which the control centre and all other essential facilities including service units such as a cafeteria, kiosk, etc., are integrated. Generously lit and designed, the main thoroughfare provides clear access to all functional units at Leoben Hospital.
With its open and transparent design, the architecture of the whole complex not only stands for the hospital’s future oriented medical services, but also provides an atmosphere of well-being, security and trust that aids patient recovery as well as an environment that supports hospital staff in their highly responsible work.
Hospitals are architectural landmarks that can tell us a great deal about the importance of people’s health for society. Excellent architecture strives to underpin that too.
Arch. DI Ernst Giselbrecht
ERNST GISELBRECHT
1951 - Born in Dornbirn, Vorarlberg, Austria
1972-1979 - Studied architecture at Graz Technical University
Since 1985 Office in Graz and Bregenz, Austria
2004 - Founding of Ernst Giselbrecht + Partner Architektur ZT GmbH
Teaching Activities:
1990 - Design Program Technical University Stuttgart, Germany
1994 - International Workshop House of Architecture, Klagenfurt, Austria
1995 - International Summerworkshop "VACANZ", Bezau, Austria
1995-2000 - Diploma examining committee, Technical University Graz, Austria
1996 Visiting Lecturer at the Universities of Ann Arbor, Michigan, USA and Waterloo, Canada
1996 Lecture and design seminar at the International Summerschool Florence, Sesto Fiorentino, Italy
2000 Lecture and seminar at University Federico II, Naples, Italy
Lectures: Ann Arbor / Beijing / Berlin / Bregenz / Brisbane / Bologna / Darmstadt / Edinburgh / Florence / Graz / Hagen / Hamburg / Klagenfurt / Linz / Ljubljana / Melbourne / Piran / Perth / Prague / Stuttgart / Sydney / Trier / Trieste / Vienna / Warsaw / Waterloo / Wurzburg and others
Personal Exhibitions: Graz / Wien / Klagenfurt / Fußach / Ljubljana / Trier / Berlin / Prague / Edinburgh / Biennale Venice
Other professional activities:
1980-1990 Head of architecture in the Forum Stadtpark Graz
1982 Invitation to Paris Biennale: "La Modernité ou l'Esprit du Temps"
1983 State Scholarship for Fine Arts
1984 Manager of the exhibition "13 Standpunkte Grazer Schule"
1990-1999 Member of the Board of the House of Architecture Graz
1999-2001 President of the House of Architecture Graz
2001 Member of the UIA jury competition, Ostrava
2002-2007 Head of the main Board of the House of Architecture Graz
