Drive-in OR Complex at Reinier de Graaf

On the roof of the visitors’ car park at the Reinier de Graaf hospital in Delft, EGM Architects has created an innovative new operating theatre complex. The unique drive-in operating theatre offers quick, accessible, and welcoming healthcare services. This new development responds to the growing demand for high-quality day treatment in the Netherlands.

A unique concept

With the design of the drive-in operating theatre, EGM has introduced a new approach to healthcare. The focus is on empowering patients and providing them with maximum autonomy. Built directly above the existing visitors’ car park, the design allows patients to essentially drive themselves into the operating theatre and leave the same way after their care. Patients are warmly welcomed in a lounge styled like a cosy living room. Instead of being wheeled into the operating theatre on a bed, patients independently walk from the lounge, through a changing area, and into the operating room. After their procedure, patients recover in the day treatment area, knowing their loved ones are nearby in the lounge. This low-threshold care process is tailored to human needs, offering maximum comfort.

The creation of this complex aligns with the trend of short-term treatments playing an increasingly significant role in healthcare and the use of operating theatre facilities. Reinier de Graaf's managing director, Carina Hilders, shares her vision for the future of healthcare:

"In the coming years, we must align healthcare more closely with patients' needs. This drive-in operating theatre is a great example. Our new theatre complex is organised so that patients can quickly return home to resume their lives as they wish. This vision will continue to guide developments at Reinier de Graaf hospital in the coming years."

Our new operating theatre complex is organised in such a way that patients can quickly return home to resume their lives as they wish.

Carina Hilders, Managing Director, RdGG

Relaxed and welcoming

The new drive-in operating theatre is designed to ensure patients feel comfortable and experience minimal stress. Considerable attention has been given to maximising natural light and providing views over Delft. Even the operating rooms are equipped with windows and wall-sized nature imagery to help reduce patient stress. The lobby resembles a warm and inviting living room, complete with a fireplace and a variety of seating areas and tables. Combined with the green sedum roof garden, this design enhances the wellbeing of both patients and staff.

Because of the special nature of this new centre, we are doing everything possible to create a relaxed and welcoming atmosphere for patients, ensuring they are guided through their procedures as comfortably and efficiently as possible.

Caroline van Herpen, Operating Theatre Manager

In the outpatient area, partitions with wooden slats and frosted glass provide more light and openness. The recovery area includes a dedicated eye lounge that reduces visual and auditory stimuli – an essential feature after demanding operations. The interior design thus supports the central philosophy of delivering a unique and hospitable treatment journey within the drive-in operating theatre complex.

Ingenious construction

Building an operating theatre complex on top of a car park was a significant architectural and engineering challenge. EGM, in collaboration with Royal HaskoningDHV, devised an ingenious construction solution to ensure the building is vibration-free: the entire operating theatre complex stands atop large springs above the car park. This achievement is not only structurally remarkable but also visually striking.

To provide optimal care, a connecting bridge was built on the fourth floor, linking the Reinier de Graaf hospital to the drive-in operating theatre. This ensures that, alongside the services offered in the day treatment centre, additional care can always be provided by the top clinical facilities at Reinier de Graaf hospital.

_{Photography: Stijn Poelstra, Sabine Bison}