Longevity Oasis

This pioneering longevity research center at Sheba Medical Center, Israel, redefines hospital design, offering a spa-like environment within a public healthcare setting. Inspired by circular motifs symbolizing time's cyclical nature, the design harmonizes light colors and natural materials, fostering a serene ambiance. Elliptical layouts optimize visitor flow through various facilities, promoting comfort and ease. Doctor-patient interactions occur in relaxed settings, enhancing examination experiences. Scattered relaxation zones create a hospitality-like atmosphere, prioritizing user well-being. Dual-purpose spaces optimize functionality, ensuring efficient use of the area. Overall, the design creates a serene sanctuary, reflecting the essence of longevity and stability.

The client's brief for this project was to design a groundbreaking longevity research center within Sheba Medical Center, challenging conventional hospital design to create a serenity environment promoting healthy aging and extending lifespans. The research and development work on the various functions of the center were complex and demanded inventive prowess and mental flexibility. The design concept is drawing inspiration from circular forms representing time's cyclical nature. Recurring columns of wood and metal, symbolize the rhythm and recurrence of elements in our world and nature. This recurrence represents the pace and progress contrasted with static elements. Upon entering the center, visitors are greeted by a unique reception area, entering an elliptical space containing a reception and waiting area defined by walls and columns, a wood-like floor, and illuminated ceiling. The elliptical skylight represents the sun and the natural light essential for healthy living and represent the circle of time.
The design aimed to blend medical and design standards innovatively. Materials like granite porcelain, resembling sand, granular finishing materials and earth-colored tiles were selected to evoke natural elements, fostering a calming atmosphere. Light and calming colors were employed throughout the space to enhance the sense of tranquility. The layout focused on two elliptical centers, ensuring a natural flow of visitors, and avoiding sharp transitions. Doctor's rooms were designed to create a comfortable, non-pressured atmosphere, enhancing examination experiences. The inclusion of waiting areas and relaxation corners throughout the center aimed to create a hospitality-like experience, prioritizing user well-being. Dual-use spaces, such as the staff kitchenette doubling as a meeting room, optimized functionality, and space utilization. Overall, the design aimed to create a spacious and pleasant environment that influenced a calm atmosphere and proper user flow, aligning with the essence of longevity and stability.
The challenge was to create a new flow in the patient space and movement between distinct functions in the floor plan, which requires innovative solutions. The design brings content and meaning to the movement in the space which aligns with the modern atmosphere of the center.

The interior contributes to society by providing a serene sanctuary for patients, promoting mental well-being. Consideration was given to using healthy materials, natural light and minimizing waste, with strategies in place to maximize reuse and reduce carbon footprints. As the world's first of its kind medically, the interior design also required inventing a new program and environment regarding their functional relationships and creating an atmosphere suitable for both a public medical center and conveying innovation and breakthrough vision. The utilization of multipurpose rooms throughout the center enables the reduction of the center's footprint and more efficient use of clinic space.