The new building for the DHZC is an important milestone in the overall structural development of the Campus Virchow-Klinikum. One of the largest and most modern cardiac centres in Europe is being built on 17 floors and a usable area of around 30,000 square metres, with 320 patient beds and a total of 20 operating theatres, hybrid operating theatres and cardiac catheterisation laboratories. In addition, the central emergency department and the sterile supply system for the entire campus will be integrated into the centre. Completion is planned for 2028. The state of Berlin is financing the construction project with 421 million euros, while the federal government is contributing 100 million euros to the total costs of 521 million euros.
The architectural design by Dresden-based architects wörner traxler richter, who were commissioned with the general planning, follows the philosophy of "healing architecture" - the aim is to create an environment that contributes to the well-being and recovery of patients. At the same time, the aim is to create a place where employees also feel comfortable and can work well - for example, with daylight in the operating theatres and places to retreat to for relaxation and sport.
The new DHZC building will be constructed in a sustainable and resource-conserving manner in accordance with the Gold Standard of the German Sustainable Building Council (DGNB). Energy efficiency to minimise the ecological footprint will be achieved by installing photovoltaics on the roof surfaces and using the latest technologies to save energy and water, among other things.
Comments on the ground-breaking ceremony:
The Governing Mayor Kai Wegner: "This construction project emphasises Berlin's role as a leading science and research location. The new DHZC building is an investment in the future of our city and in the health of our society. It will not only improve medical care in Berlin, but also provide scientific and economic impetus."
Bettina Stark-Watzinger, Federal Minister of Education and Research: "Charité's German Heart Centre will establish a leading national and international heart centre with particular appeal for Berlin and Germany as a research location. The DHZC sets new standards for patient care, research and teaching as well as infrastructure. A particularly exciting focus here will be the use of artificial intelligence in cardiac medicine."
Dr Ina Czyborra, Senator for Science, Health and Care of the State of Berlin: "With the new DHZC building, we are setting a new standard in Berlin for the concentration of medical expertise in highly specialised centres - as part of a comprehensive hospital reform to increase medical quality and economic feasibility."
Prof Dr Heyo K. Kroemer, Chairman of the Charité Executive Board: "The DHZC is a central pillar of our strategy for the further development of the Campus Virchow-Klinikum and the Charité as a whole. We are creating the spatial and technical conditions to not only maintain our leading position in cardiac medicine, but to continuously expand it."
Prof. Dr. Hans Maier, Chairman of the Board of the DHZB Foundation: "Today's ground-breaking ceremony marks an important milestone on the way to establishing one of the world's leading centres of cardiac medicine in Berlin. In addition to actively helping to shape the DHZC, the Foundation of the German Heart Centre Berlin will continue to play a central role in promoting science and translation and, with its academy, make a significant contribution to the training and further education of highly qualified specialists."
Astrid Lurati, Director of Finance and Infrastructure at Charité: "The new DHZC building is a historic project for Charité, as it is the first hospital building on this campus in over two decades. I would like to thank all our partners in politics and administration for their close and constructive cooperation, which made this project possible in the first place."
Prof Dr Volkmar Falk, Medical Director of the DHZC: "The new DHZC building should not only be a place of excellent patient care, but also a workplace where our teams can work well and efficiently. An attractive working environment is becoming increasingly important for the recruitment and long-term retention of specialists. All professional groups were therefore involved in the planning right from the start."
Matthias Schmidt, Project Manager GB Construction at Charité: "It is a privilege for Charité and all those involved in the planning, construction and subsequent operation to be able to participate in the construction of this extraordinary building project. The new DHZC building will be characterised by the combination of the highest architectural, technical and functional requirements to create a sustainable building."
More information on the new building, photos of the event and a detailed information brochure can be found at dhzb/spatenstich (in German only).
Source: press release Charité (in German only)
