Asclepios III Policlinico di Bari | MANENS-PINEARQ

Asclepios III is the new Surgical and Emergency Complex at the Policlinico di Bari: a state-of-the-art building designed to combine innovation, sustainability and patient care, with an architectural design that harmonises with the surrounding green spaces and revitalises the complex’s historical identity.
The Policlinico di Bari is the main hospital in the Apulia region and one of the most significant examples in Italy of the ‘ward-based’ hospital, based on a model dating back to the early 20th century. The new Asclepios III wing blends harmoniously into the historic and urban context of the Policlinico, establishing a formal and proportional continuity with the neighbouring surgical buildings, Asclepios I and II.
The building is organised across eight levels. The basement houses the surgical block, the haemodynamics department, outpatient clinics and laboratories, along with two large technical areas containing the main mechanical and electrical installations. On this same level, two paved and landscaped underground courtyards allow natural light to enter, enhancing the comfort of the surrounding spaces. The ground floor is organised into two distinct functional blocks: the east wing houses the main entrance, waiting areas and a bar/cafeteria; the west wing is dedicated to outpatient services. The upper floors accommodate the inpatient wards, arranged around a central glazed atrium that runs vertically through the entire building, diffusing natural light and enhancing the sense of orientation within the interior.