C.F. Møller Architects and HENN Secure Win for New Hanover Medical School Hospital Design

7:11 pm UTC March 17, 2025 Mar 17, 2025 | by: C.F. Møller | Architecture

(Photo by: C.F. Møller)

C.F. Møller Architects and HENN have emerged as the winners of the design competition for the new Hanover Medical School Hospital. Their innovative proposal expands the existing campus, creating an efficient and sustainable healthcare environment. The new design emphasizes a welcoming atmosphere for patients, staff, and local residents, establishing a vital urban hub.

Hanover Medical School (MHH) is recognized as one of Germany's leading medical universities for research and provides extensive healthcare services for the Hanover region and beyond. The upcoming new building project is set to meet the growing needs of modern healthcare for years to come.

Marcus Fißan, Managing Director for Science and Healthcare at HENN, says: “Together with our ARGE partner C.F. Møller Architects, we are creating an environment that puts people first – whether they are patients, medical staff, or visiting loved ones. But our vision goes beyond healthcare itself: we are designing a sustainable campus that meets the highest functional and aesthetic standards – shaping the university hospital of the future.”

Located in eastern Hanover, the MHH campus is integrated with the city’s green spaces through the nearby Eilenriede forest, forming a key component of a network of parks throughout the city. The new construction will take place in three phases, creating a cohesive architectural ensemble centered around the Clinic Square. This pedestrian-friendly square will be car-free, with green spaces and a shuttle bus service connecting it to existing facilities.

A unique feature of the design is the low pergola, called "the loop," which encircles Clinic Square and links all buildings and departments. It provides a guiding structure while offering protection from the weather, making navigation across the campus easier for visitors and staff alike. Inside the new buildings, patient care functions such as emergency rooms, intensive care, and operating theaters are kept separate from outpatient clinics and administrative areas. A shared logistics level will ensure seamless operations between these spaces.

The design is strongly influenced by research, showing that exposure to daylight and nature can help reduce stress. The hospital’s layout prioritizes clear orientation to simplify navigation, while natural materials and a comfortable ambiance enhance patient recovery and provide a pleasant environment for employees. The flexible building structures also allow for easy adaptation to future healthcare needs.

Maibritt Dammann, associate partner and head of healthcare at C.F. Møller Architects, highlights: “The Hanover Medical School is a milestone in modern healthcare design. By focusing on adaptability, sustainability, and dignified spaces shaped by the principles of healing architecture, we’re setting new benchmarks for how hospitals serve both people and the planet.“

The design includes a bright aluminum façade facing the Clinic Square, while the exterior sports a warm red hue. The lower levels of the buildings feature reclaimed brick, adding a natural feel to the campus. Recycled materials, reduced paved areas, and a timber structure for the upper floors are key sustainability elements of the project.

This expansion of the MHH campus blends functional efficiency with compassionate patient care and sustainable design, reinforcing its reputation as a top-tier international medical center.

Project Information

Location: Hanover, Germany
Site area: 137,000 m²
Usable area: 46,600 m² (first construction phase)
Typology: Masterplan, new construction
Completion: 2031 (first phase)
Program: Emergency room, 24 operating rooms, intensive care, outpatient clinics, nursing rooms, laboratories, seminar rooms, administrative offices, helipad
Architecture: ARGE HENN / C.F. Møller Architects
Client: HBG Hochschulmedizin Hannover Baugesellschaft mbH