Capsule Hotel & Bookstore, Qinglongwu, Zhejiang province, China,

Located in the Future City district connected to the high-speed rail network, the Tonglu Branch of Hangzhou First People’s Hospital stands amid the mountainous landscape that defines the character of Tonglu. The building’s design introduces a new vision for contemporary hospitals, where functionality and natural beauty intersect to create an architectural form that integrates health care with the environment.

The Tonglu branch of Hangzhou First People’s Hospital integrates open courtyards and transparent façades to connect the medical environment with the natural landscape. Urban Organization Shaped by the Site

The project sits on a rectangular site slightly rotated from the north south axis, prompting innovative spatial strategies to secure daylight and ventilation. Its clover-shaped plan extends three nursing wings from a central core that houses elevators and service shafts. This composition creates an efficient circulation system while maintaining balanced daylight across all directions.

The hospital’s terraced design emphasizes human comfort, offering shaded outdoor spaces that support recovery and relaxation. A Clear and Connected Interior Layout

The outpatient, inpatient, and medical service zones are linked through a wide interior axis known as the medical street. This open and visually connected corridor supports smooth circulation between departments while keeping the interior bright and naturally ventilated. The result is a hospital that feels open and navigable rather than closed or clinical.

The inner courtyard forms a serene spatial link between departments, combining structural rhythm with natural calm. Natural Light and Human-Centered Shared Spaces

Light filled courtyards act as buffers between departments, offering visual relief and improving spatial orientation. Between the nursing units, shared spaces are placed at varying angles to capture sunlight throughout the day. These spaces function as rest and interaction zones for staff and visitors alike, introducing warmth and a human touch to the hospital’s atmosphere.

At night, the building glows gently, transforming the hospital into a symbol of openness and community care. Flexible Structure and Full-Steel Framework

The project adopts a full steel structural system to achieve lightness, speed up construction, and enable future adaptability. Despite its vast scale, the design maintains a rhythmic façade defined by soft curves and smooth transitions that reduce its visual weight. Material choices balance reflection and shade, allowing the building to harmonize with the landscape rather than dominate it.

Form and Function in Balance

The hospital’s design forms a gentle curve that embraces a sequence of inner courtyards, reconnecting users with nature. The architects focused not on visual spectacle but on a clear purpose creating operational efficiency and psychological comfort within a calm and coherent spatial environment.

✦ ArchUp Editorial Insight

The project envisions hospital architecture that merges seamlessly with its natural and urban surroundings. Its clover-shaped plan balances operational efficiency with access to light and air. The curved metallic façade mirrors Tonglu’s mountain contours, giving the building a calm yet commanding presence without visual excess. Still, one might question whether this organic form truly connects with the city’s social fabric and if its spatial language can adapt to future technologies. Even so, the project marks a clear step toward more humane and sustainable healthcare design.

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The experience to live in “Dwelling in Fuchuan Mountains” by Wang Gongwang.