Al Maha Centre for Children and Young Adults

Al Maha Centre for Children and Young Adults Rendering

Al Maha Centre for Children and Young Adults

Children, Families Find Everything under One Roof in Qatar

The Al Maha Center for Children and Young Adults relocates Hamad Medical Corporation’s long-term acute care operations for children to Al Wakra, just outside the capital of Doha. Health professionals in Hamad’s new facility strive to create a home for children struggling with lifelong conditions such as cerebral palsy, and their family members. A nurturing, non-clinical environment combined with evidence-based design provides an engaging sensory experience for young patients.

The ambulatory care clinic is designed as a series of “neighborhoods” or service blocks for outpatient clinics, early intervention, respite care and its autism program — each with their own internal streets, lanes, internal courtyards and gardens. Community-oriented services such as schooling and therapy are also available.

The center’s key features include:

  • A central “Souq,” or main arrival space, that includes a research area and café
  • Wide corridors that connect all parts of the facility and take advantage of views to the outside and internal gardens to create intuitive wayfinding
  • Natural light filtered through decorative external shading devices to create an ever-changing pattern throughout the facility
  • Splashes of color introduce a warm neutral palette to key areas of the building and patient rooms
  • Courtyard gardens adorned with tactile landscaping and water features provide a relaxing, therapeutic environment
  • Three inpatient units organized as a “pin wheel” connected by a central lounge and dining area and open, child-friendly spaces with access to landscape gardens for play and therapy
Al Maha Centre for Children and Young Adults Rendering
Client
Hamad Medical Corporation
Location

Al Wakra,
Qatar

Size
161,500 sf (15,000 m²)

Awards

European Healthcare Design Awards, Highly Commended (2016)
Future Healthcare Design Category
European Healthcare Design
World Architecture Awards, Winner (2015)
Future Health Projects Category
World Architecture Festival
World Architecture Awards, Shortlisted (2015)
World Building of the Year
World Architecture Festival