Hospital Transformation: Future-Ready Healthcare Building
Healthcare in Germany is undergoing a profound transformation. The reform process, particularly initiated by the Hospital Transformation Fund Ordinance (HTFR) and the associated Transformation Fund, opens up new perspectives for hospital construction. In an environment shaped by a shortage of skilled workers, demographic change, medical-technical progress, and the shift towards outpatient care, resilient, flexible, and future-oriented building concepts are more in demand than ever.
The Transformation Fund – A Driver for Structural Change
The Transformation Fund serves as the financial backbone of the hospital reform. Over a ten-year period, it will provide up to 50 billion euros, financed equally by statutory health insurance funds and the federal states. These funds are specifically targeted to support projects that sustainably improve care and promote structural adjustments.
Eligible projects include:
- Structural measures for adaptation and expansion,
- Expansion of digital infrastructure,
- Measures to improve IT security, and
- Integration of cross-sector IT systems.
This combination of structural and IT investments demonstrates that a successful transformation requires holistic concepts that rethink spaces not only physically but also digitally.
This structural transformation is far more than just an adaptation to new regulations – it is a comprehensive redesign of function, structure, and organization in hospital operations. The goal is to create buildings that keep pace with progress, can respond to changing needs, and can be operated economically and sustainably. Gallmann & Schug supports this transition with construction expertise and a strategic understanding of complex planning processes.
Structural Change and Consolidation as an Opportunity
Case studies show how consolidating sites can lead to high-performance, integrated care units. Such projects are supported by the Transformation Fund, for instance, through investments in structural reorganization or IT systems to integrate care processes. The planning of such consolidation measures follows clear principles: reducing redundant structures, strengthening integrated care, and focusing on economically viable units.
Planning and implementing such projects requires not only technical know-how but also a deep understanding of healthcare structures and operational organization.
Flexibility as a Planning Premise
Future-proof hospital construction incorporates flexibility from the very beginning. Flexible floor plans, modular room structures, and generous ceiling heights create the conditions for buildings to adapt to changing requirements over decades – spatially, functionally, and increasingly, digitally. As digitization advances, so do the demands on a building's IT infrastructure. Whether integrating new outpatient facilities, shifting to day-clinic care, or responding to changing patient flows, only an adaptable building can fulfill its purpose in the long term.
Focus on Sustainability and Climate Protection
Today, sustainable hospital construction must also meet ecological standards. This includes climate-resilient building methods, the use of renewable energy, and the energy-efficient design of technical building systems. The Transformation Fund promotes this development through construction investments focused on energy efficiency and resource conservation – an essential prerequisite for an economical and future-proof hospital system.
Public construction already sets clear ecological standards, such as mandatory solar installations for new buildings or the prioritized use of renewable energy sources. Gallmann & Schug guides planning processes with the goal of achieving an ecological and economic balance for a secure and sustainable energy supply.
Digitalization and Automation as Drivers
Digitalization is changing not only medical procedures but also the structural requirements for hospitals. Automated logistics systems, robot-assisted surgeries, and a digitally supported clinical environment demand new spatial concepts, new workflows, and interconnected structures. This creates opportunities to optimize processes, reduce the workload for staff, and improve the quality of care. We support our clients in implementing these requirements – technically, organizationally, and architecturally.
Resilience as the Foundation for the Future
The lessons learned from the COVID-19 pandemic and the growing importance of crisis-proof infrastructures are leading to a re-evaluation of robustness in hospital construction. Technical systems must be protected, supply structures must be flexibly expandable, and spaces must be adaptable for use even under extreme conditions. Gallmann & Schug approaches construction projects with a clear focus on resilience: structurally, organizationally, and operationally.
Holistic Consulting
With our many years of experience in construction consulting for the healthcare sector, we stand by our clients as a reliable partner – from strategic alignment and planning to implementation. In doing so, we always take an integrative approach to processes, technology, and architecture. We see every investment measure, whether new construction or renovation, as part of a larger transformation process towards a modern, sustainable, and patient-centered hospital landscape.
