SNF University Pediatric Hospital of Thessaloniki

The new hospital has been designed to provide a safe and positive healing environment where children and young people are at the heart of an integrated network of high-quality clinical and supporting services. In addition, hospital spaces have been designed to cater to the needs of parents and caregivers for proximity and interaction with their child, including within inpatient rooms where parents can use a moveable bed to stay overnight with their child. The hospital will also include play areas and child-friendly environmental design elements throughout and will have a special wayfinding system to help children, staff, and visitors interact with the space.

At the same time, the hospital will blend seamlessly into a newly planted woodland that will assimilate the existing vegetation, incorporating children’s healing gardens and interactive playgrounds with the broader natural habitat. Every element is designed to complement each other element, in a string of landscape interventions that will inspire staff, children, and caregivers while augmenting the healing properties of nature. Interior spaces have transparent and permeable connections to patios and outdoor parkland, for staff and patients to enjoy natural light, soothing views onto the hillside forest, and distant views toward the sea.

Following the rigorous environmental principles applied in each of the new hospitals being developed under the SNF Global Health Initiative (GHI), the SNF University Pediatric Hospital of Thessaloniki aims to achieve LEED Platinum certification and near carbon neutrality, which has the potential to make it one of the most energy-efficient hospitals in its class. The new facilities will enable the full digitization of clinical services, the sustainable and efficient management and maintenance of the hospital, and continuity of care with other collaborating health units.

Following a vision for creating a state-of-the-art university pediatric hospital that can serve as a reference point for the wider region of Southeast Europe, SNF and the Design Team work closely with the Hellenic Ministry of Health, the Medical School of the Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, and regional health authorities—consulting and incorporating the views of service users and international experts at each stage of the hospital’s development process. The regular town hall meetings organized by SNF twice a year in Thessaloniki are also key in the development of the hospital, providing a forum for open exchange with the local community.

Legislation on the SNF University Pediatric Hospital of Thessaloniki:
• Greek Laws No.4564/2018 (as subsequently amended) and No.4889/2022