Transformable and Flow-Oriented Hospital Planning: A Joint Research Project
This project is a collaborative effort between the Institute for Technology and Management in Construction (TMB) at Karlsruhe Institute of Technology (KIT) and the Institute of Factory Systems and Logistics (IFA) at Leibniz University Hannover. The research was funded by the German Research Foundation (DFG).
Motivation
Hospitals today operate under increasing financial pressure and face rapidly changing conditions. To remain efficient and resilient, two key planning principles are critical: flow orientation and transformability. A flow-oriented hospital layout enhances process efficiency and cost-effectiveness, while transformability enables hospitals to adapt flexibly to future demands.
Objective
This interdisciplinary research project aimed to transfer proven concepts from factory planning into the hospital context. Specifically, it adapted methods for flow orientation and transformability to the unique challenges of hospital systems.
Methodology
To support flow-oriented planning, core structural elements were first identified and analyzed. Based on these elements and hospital-specific transport relationships, an algorithm was developed to help planners generate functional layouts. The model also incorporates dimensioning procedures and planning constraints, enabling the transition from functional schemes to realizable layouts.
For addressing transformability, the research team defined key hospital objects—such as equipment and layout structures—and determined their transformability potential features, which are measurable characteristics that influence how easily these elements can be modified.
On this basis, a maturity model was created to assess the actual state of a hospital system’s transformability. Through scenario analysis, the model also helps identify the desired target state. Comparing the actual and target levels allows planners to take structured, goal-oriented action to increase a hospital’s adaptability.
The results of this project were developed in close cooperation with hospital experts and validated through practical feedback. The findings lay the foundation for future research on adaptable, efficient hospital infrastructure.
