Image © SOM
The new Sheikh Khalifa Medical City in Abu Dhabi is slated to begin construction in 2013 and will provide advanced medical care in the heart of the city. Envisioned as a sustainable city within a city, the new hospital will feature strategies to cope with the intense desert climate to create a welcoming and pleasant atmosphere for patients and visitors. The SOM-designed hospital is aiming for a Two Pearl rating under the Estidama guidelines for sustainable design, which is equivalent to a LEED Gold certification.