The KPJ Damansara 2 Specialist Hospital is set to be a modern medical facility in Damansara, Kuala Lumpur. It will be situated within a major commercial development that is currently expanding with the housing market in the neighbourhood, which produces a local demand for a medical facility and competes in the Malaysian medical tourism market. Expected to be completed by 2019, this hospital is able to accommodate 150 beds and will be increased in stages up to a final bed count of 300. Its standard room typology assures a flexible arrangement of function that is designed for future expansion. This compact hospital scheme comprises four storeys of basement parking and an 11-storey specialist centre, with a total floor area of 62,318 square metres.
The design approach aims to implement a productive working environment by minimising the travelling time of the medical staff. The development combines two blocks of medical facilities, with a central block sandwiched between them that provides easy navigation and access from the drop-off lobby to the vertical circulation. The planning process adhered to maintaining minimal human traffic by providing separate access for each user group, such as patients and staff. The first three floors will be used for medical check-ups/screening, the fourth floor for operation procedures and the fifth floor for roof garden and recovery. All wards are allocated to levels six to 11.
Façade treatment for this hospital avoids conventionality by offering vernacular architecture and features of modern ribbon windows. The design direction was set to explore symmetrical form and randomness on wall treatment. The common practice of hiding the dirty corridor in hospital designs was eliminated by introducing perforated steel finish, hence highlighting the floor and breaking the overall form of the building. The basement car park was designed to follow the contours of the rocky slope. The main entrance and the north-facing wall will be fitted with clear glass curtain windows, providing natural lighting internally.
