Frankfurt hospital: a Passivhaus world first
After a decade of planning & development, a big congratulations to all the team involved in delivering the first hospital certified to Passivhaus. The eight-storey building houses almost 700 beds, eleven operating rooms and a helipad with direct connections to emergency services. The Klinikum-Höchst hospital in Frankfurt is opening this October and will provide approximately 1600 jobs.
Hosptial bed - Frankfurt Hospital © Klinikum Frankfurt Höchst
Due to the demanding and consistent 24-hour use, and the higher temperatures required in patient rooms, the Passivhaus Standard is particularly valuable for hospitals. The new hospital is equipt with extremely modern medical equipment and exemplary building energy efficiency.
On 8 June, the Passive House Institute presented the certificate for the new Passivhaus building together with Hesse's Economics Minister Tarek Al-Wazir.
Passivhaus Institute presents the certificate with Hesse's Economics Minister Tarek Al-Wazir. Image credit: © Passivhaus Institute
This hospital construction shows how climate protection can succeed in the building sector. This is exactly what we need. The best energy is that which is not consumed. Hesse is therefore focusing on saving energy, energy efficiency and renewable energies. The state was happy to support and support this flagship example of climate-friendly new buildings, whose energy standard is well above the legal requirements.
Tarek Al-Wazir, Economics Minister, Hesse
Electricity consumption in a hospital can be three to four times higher than in a residential building. If we can build hospitals, some of the most energy-intensive buildings, to meet Passivhaus standards, there are no excuses for anything less!
The Passivhaus Institute has prepared a study for this pilot project on behalf of the state of Hesse, and hope that others may learn from it.
Learn more about Foleshill Health Centre, the UK’s first Passivhaus health centre. A new report suggests building to Passivhaus standards can save the NHS millions and significantly reduce carbon emissions.
Further Information
2021 UK Passivhaus Conference: Passivhaus Hospital - Experiences from the pilot project in Frankfurt.
Previous PHT story: World's first Passivhaus Hospital – 27 August 2014
PHI: Hospital 3.0: Role model in Frankfurt – 23 June 2022
Previous PHT story: UK's first Passivhaus NHS health centre achieves certification – 4 October 2021
Passivhaus Civic & Cultural case studies
Baseline study - implementing the Passivhaus concept in hospitals