Bold opening: A landmark hospital project is redefining regional healthcare by combining cutting-edge design with sustainable, community-focused planning. And this is where the story gets even more intriguing... a major international collaboration just won the Malpensa Hospital competition in Italy.
Overview
Zaha Hadid Architects, leading a multi-firm team including RINA as the project lead, Studio Plicchi, WSP, STI Engineering, and BC Building Consulting, has secured the international competition to design the Grande Ospedale della Malpensa. Commissioned by the Lombardy Regional Health Authority, the plan aims to merge the existing Gallarate and Busto Arsizio hospitals into a single, cohesive medical campus that serves the wider corridor between Milan and Varese, with a catchment of nearly one million residents.
Hospital scale and organization
The new facility is envisioned as a compact complex spanning roughly 90,000 square meters. It rises across five above-ground levels plus one basement, with care intensity shaping the layout. A central, multifunctional operating block houses emergency services, surgery, and critical care, and integrates radiology, interventional, and diagnostic spaces. The program also includes outpatient and inpatient services, maternal and infant care, diagnostic and therapy zones, rehabilitation facilities, laboratories, logistics spaces, and clinics at both first- and second-level capability. Importantly, every space is designed to be reconfigurable to accommodate future changes in care models and technology.
Site, landscape, and heritage
The campus sits in a landscape of woodlands and agricultural lands that form part of the Regional Ecological Network, adjacent to the Parco Regionale della Valle del Ticino. The landscape strategy preserves existing trees, introduces wetlands and bioswales, and adds planted areas to support stormwater management and biodiversity. The historic Cascina dei Poveri, a rural complex dating back to the 12th and 13th centuries, is preserved and integrated into the campus design, reinforcing a sense of continuity with the surrounding countryside.
Circulation, logistics, and accessibility
Internal circulation is organized to minimize cross-interference among patients, visitors, staff, and goods. Dedicated elevators handle medical materials, supplies, and waste, complemented by an automated internal logistics system. A ground-level spine acts as a public axis linking the entrance plaza to the landscaped outdoor spaces, promoting clear wayfinding and easy access.
Façades, interiors, and technology
The external envelope features modular aluminum rainscreen panels with integrated solar shading and planters, chosen for durability and recyclability. Interiors favor natural materials like wood and textiles to create warm, human-centered environments. The building anticipates smart building management and digital twin technologies to support ongoing monitoring, maintenance, and energy optimization.
Interior strategy and daylight
Inside, daylight, acoustics, and straightforward orientation are prioritized to create calm, legible spaces for users. Courtyards, gardens, and rooftop terraces are embedded throughout the campus to support recovery and provide outdoor experiences for patients and staff. Universal design principles are embedded across the facility, including barrier-free circulation, tactile maps, and multilingual signage to welcome a diverse community.
Program beyond clinical care
Beyond clinical functions, the hospital includes spaces and facilities intended for education, social interaction, and community engagement, underscoring its role as a regional hub beyond immediate medical needs.
Sustainability and performance
Environmental strategies emphasize passive design, a high-performance envelope, and solar shading to reduce cooling loads. The project targets performance surpassing CAM requirements and incorporates a photovoltaic system exceeding 1 MWp, expected to supply about a quarter of the hospital’s electricity. A hybrid heating system is planned with the potential for future hydrogen integration. Construction emphasizes modular prefabrication, recycled-content materials, low embodied carbon, and compliance with Environmental Product Declarations (EPD) and Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) standards.
Connectivity and community integration
Malpensa Hospital will connect seamlessly with surrounding communities via routes from Via Quintino Sella and SS33, plus public transport, cycling infrastructure, and pedestrian paths. The concept centers on a consolidated healthcare campus that unites clinical services, logistics, and landscape systems within a single, integrated environment.
Context within ZHA portfolios
In related news, Zaha Hadid Architects reports progress on other projects, including the Yidan Center in Shenzhen topping out, the Danjiang Bridge in Taipei nearing completion with an anticipated 2026 opening, and Symphony Tower in Dubai’s Horizon district unveiled by Imtiaz Developments. These updates illustrate the firm’s ongoing commitment to innovative, large-scale projects across multiple sectors.
Source
Reyyan Dogan. "RINA-Led Team With Zaha Hadid Architects Wins Malpensa Hospital Competition in Italy" 15 Dec 2025. ArchDaily. Accessed. https://www.archdaily.com/1037002/rina-led-team-with-zaha-hadid-architects-wins-malpensa-hospital-competition-in-italy
Endnote: The Malpensa bid signals a shift toward highly adaptable, sustainability-forward hospital campuses that weave landscape, heritage, and community needs into a single, future-ready medical campus. What are your thoughts on balancing heritage preservation with the demands of modern healthcare in campus design? Would you prioritize practical adaptability over stylistic boldness in a project of this scale?
