Next-Gen Healthcare Campus on Île de Nantes Merges Medical Innovation with Climate-Smart Design

10:04 am UTC June 4, 2025 Jun 4, 2025 | by: C.F. Møller | Architecture

(Photo by: C.F. Møller)

Plans have been unveiled for a groundbreaking €274 million healthcare campus on the Île de Nantes, set to redefine how medical education, clinical practice, and research coalesce. Designed by C.F. Møller Architects and AIA Life Designers, the Campus Santé Franceline Ribard will combine sustainability, flexibility, and wellbeing across three interconnected buildings dedicated to learning, training, and campus life.

A major new development on France’s Île de Nantes is poised to push the boundaries of healthcare infrastructure. Slated for completion in 2030, the 44,400m² Campus Santé Franceline Ribar'd—formerly known as QHU—will establish an advanced model for integrated healthcare learning environments. The €274 million facility will be located adjacent to the new Nantes university hospital, reinforcing its role as a regional hub for medical innovation.

Designed by Danish firm C.F. Møller Architects in partnership with AIA Life Designers, the campus will unite medical education, clinical training, and research under one roof. The architectural layout consists of three distinct but interconnected volumes: Campus Life, Teaching, and Practical Training. These are bridged by a central feature known as the "Flight Deck"—an elevated, glazed walkway enabling seamless circulation between all buildings.

A standout element of the design is its integration with both the island's industrial heritage and its urban context. Bioclimatic strategies and natural materials such as zinc, exposed concrete, and wood are employed to balance durability with a low environmental footprint. The material palette is intended to age gracefully while contributing to the site's thermal performance.

Beyond aesthetics, the design is deeply performance driven. The buildings target E3C2 certification and Level 3 bio-sourced label compliance, aligning with France’s RE2020 environmental standards. Passive design techniques—such as tailored solar protection and hybrid ventilation systems—further reduce energy demand and support occupant wellbeing.

AIA Life Designers’ Simon Toderos emphasizes the facility's flexibility in addressing the future of medical care:

“Drawing on AIA's extensive experience in medical facility design, we've created a campus that responds to the evolving needs of healthcare professionals. The spaces seamlessly integrate clinical, research, and educational functions while prioritizing flexibility for future healthcare innovations.”

The development places strong emphasis on active mobility and low-carbon transport. A dedicated bicycle facility with capacity for 1,650 bikes—along with dynamic ramp systems that interconnect the site’s elevations—encourages both accessibility and physical activity.

C.F. Møller’s Mads Mandrup Hansen reflects on the broader design philosophy:

“The Campus Santé Franceline Ribar'd embodies our philosophy that successful learning environments must foster community and connection. By creating open, informal spaces that interlink both internally and externally, we've designed a campus that will become a dynamic and vibrant place for generations of medical professionals.”

The project also preserves key historic architectural fragments, reinforcing a connection between the past and a forward-thinking healthcare ecosystem. These heritage elements are interwoven with outdoor learning zones and social spaces that blend greenery with academic functionality—supporting biodiversity, mental wellbeing, and social cohesion.

Construction is scheduled to begin in 2026, with handover and activation targeted for September 2030.