Wir überwinden Grenzen

Completion of the replacement building for the Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy at the Medical Center - University of Freiburg / First clinic building in timber construction in Freiburg

The light wood look alone reveals that sustainability is a top priority here: The new "Garden Wing West", which opened on Tuesday, September 12, 2023, is an extension to the Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapyat the Medical Center - University of Freiburg. It impresses with its environmentally conscious architecture and offers a pleasant and shielded atmosphere for patients and staff. The construction period, which lasted three years due to the coronavirus pandemic and the war in Ukraine, was completed at the end of August. The construction and equipment costs of 13.4 million euros were financed by funds from the state's renovation offensive and the Medical Center - University of Freiburg's own funds.

The "Garden Wing West" extends over three floors with a floor area of 2939 square meters: "Ward 7" with 21 beds and three day clinic places for elective patients is located on the second floor. The music, occupational and art therapy, social services and psychotherapeutic treatment rooms are located on the first floor. Housekeeping and technical rooms are located in the basement.

"For us, the new building is an important step towards advancing psychiatric care at the Medical Center - University of Freiburg to the highest level. With room-related wet rooms, several single rooms and various living areas with garden access, it provides an excellent environment for successful therapy," says Prof. Dr. Dr. Katharina Domschke, Medical Director of the Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy at the Medical Center - University of Freiburg.

"The 'Garden Wing West' is a prime example of construction in the healthcare sector: the building is sustainable, it is strictly geared towards the needs of patients and staff and offers space for quality-centered, cutting-edge university medicine. I am delighted that we have succeeded in designing the building to such a high standard despite the difficult conditions," says Prof. Dr. Frederik Wenz, Chief Medical Officer of the Medical Center - University of Freiburg.

Sustainable construction

"The replacement building is characterized by its sustainable construction," emphasizes Karl-Heinz Gilgin, Head of Construction and Development Planning at the Medical Center - University of Freiburg. "It is the first hospital building in Freiburg and one of the first in Baden-Württemberg to be built using timber construction." Furthermore, existing bricks and sandstone were reused during construction. The building has a green roof and the surrounding park was largely preserved. The old chiller was replaced for the air conditioning and a device for retrofitting a solar system was installed on the roof. There are also charging stations for electric cars and e-bikes.

Caption 1: Idyllic greenery: the park surrounding the "Garden Wing West" creates a pleasant atmosphere for patients.

Caption 2: The large windows in the single rooms of "Ward 7" allow plenty of light into the rooms.

Copyright: Medical Center - University of Freiburg