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Patient-Centered Healing at the Core: Groundbreaking of Daegu Catholic University Chilgok Catholic New Hospital
The groundbreaking ceremony for Daegu Catholic University Chilgok Catholic New Hospital, designed by Gansam, was held on December 12 at the hospital’s construction site. The ceremony marked the first step toward the hospital’s transformation into a leading regional medical institution.
The new Chilgok Catholic Hospital will be built on a 11,830㎡ site along Chilgok Jungang-daero in Buk-gu, Daegu, with a total floor area of 24,210㎡. The facility will consist of two basement levels and six above-ground floors, and is scheduled for completion and opening in the first half of 2028.
Taesung Kim, Principal of the Design Division at Gansam, Archbishop Hwangil Cho of the Daegu Archdiocese, and Father Hongsik Shin, Director of Chilgok Catholic Hospital, participate in the groundbreaking ceremony.
Hospitality in Hospital: A Healing Environment for Holistic Care
From the early stages of design, the Chilgok Catholic New Hospital actively incorporated the concept of a healing environment to support patient recovery, aiming to provide holistic care that addresses not only physical illness but also psychological, social, and spiritual well-being.
Envisioned as a welcoming hospital that offers the comfort of “being at home”—a quality rarely associated with large-scale medical facilities—the design emphasizes warm materials and a gentle atmosphere. From the moment patients enter the building, the spatial experience is intended to convey a sense of hospitality and comfort.
In particular, a sunken plaza and central atrium were planned to allow ample natural daylight to penetrate deep into the interior, creating a bright and pleasant environment throughout the hospital. To further enhance user convenience, waiting, reception, and payment areas are organized around a central void, enabling clear circulation, intuitive wayfinding, and efficient movement within the building.
Perspective view of the new Daegu Catholic University Chilgok Catholic Hospital, featuring a clean and rhythmically articulated curtain wall façade.
A Century Hospital and a Regional Healthcare Hub
Beyond simple expansion, Daegu Catholic University Chilgok Catholic New Hospital aims to serve as a central pillar of regional healthcare. Reflecting local medical demand, the hospital will operate a wide range of specialized departments and facilities, including 15 ICU beds, two angiography suites, and a total of 291 beds across general wards and integrated nursing care wards, consisting of single- and four-bed rooms.
Through this project, the hospital is expected to provide local residents with more accessible, high-quality medical services while establishing itself as a trusted “Century Hospital” that will serve the community for generations to come.
Lee Tae-sang, Head of the Healthcare Division at Gansam, stated:
“In order to reflect a patient-centered healing environment and efficient medical operations in the design, we conducted interviews with various hospital users, including the facilities team, pharmacy, nursing department, emergency room, and outpatient clinics. We hope that the accumulated insights and requirements gathered through this process will be faithfully realized, resulting in a space that delivers high-quality medical services for the local community.”
■ Related Article
[Korea Economic News] Daegu Catholic University Chilgok Catholic New Hospital Breaks Ground, Designed by Gansam
Daegu Catholic University Chilgok Catholic New Hospital
· Location : 28, Guam-ro 15-gil, Buk-gu, Daegu, Republic of Korea
· Site Area : 11,837.00㎡
· Gross Floor Area: 24,210.86㎡
· Number of Beds : 291 Bed
· Design Team :
Taesang Lee, Cheonhaeng Kim, Minjeong Eom, Soohyun Kim,
Minhyeok Jeon, Heeryeong Jo, Beomyong Choi, Yuyoung Hwang
2025.12.24