The city of Obernai is located between the German border, the metropolis of Strasbourg and the historic site of Mont Saint Odile. Nestled in the foothills of the Vosges mountains, this medieval city on the Alsace plain is as much characterized by its historical ramparts as by its economic dynamism. The proximity to the European metropolis and the industrial development on the outskirts of the city offer Obernai a constant increase in its population and require infrastructures in line with the new density of the city.

In July 2008, the project to build a new hospital better adapted to the peri-urban growth of Obernai was validated by the Regional Hospitalization Agency of Alsace.

The challenges and objectives of this project are numerous. The NHO (Nouvel Hôpital d’Obernai) must first and foremost meet the health needs of the population in the area near the city while complying with regulatory obligations regarding accessibility and fire safety.

The new structure must also complement the existing care offer within the Groupement Hospitalier de Territoire (GHT) Centre Alsace with the creation of a follow-up care and rehabilitation department (SSR).

The project specifications also include technical and practical aspects such as improving the working conditions of hospital staff and allowing faster and more practical access for residents and emergency services (EMS, SMUR, Fire Brigade).

To understand all the constraints of this project and meet all the objectives set, the project management of this site was entrusted to the architecture firm Studio Martini based in Mulhouse. Their architectural and functional expertise in the field of works intended for the health sector is well established. Le Grand Est owes them, among other things, the design of the extension of the Emile Muller Hospital (a “mother-mother-child” centre) in Mulhouse, the renovation of the Nancy regional university maternity hospital or, more recently, the construction of the New Epinal Hospital.

The building designed by Studio Martini covers more than 9000 m² and offers a unique H-shaped architecture. The future structure designed to improve the reception and medical care of the inhabitants of the Obernai basin includes a technical platform on the ground floor, 4 accommodation units on the upper floors (EHPAD, medicine and 2 SRH units) and underground parking on four levels.

To consolidate the construction project, financial and technical studies were carried out through the summary (APS) and final (APD) preliminary project phases. At the same time, the selection of companies holding the work packages and the prescription of materials has been refined. The entire shell construction site was entrusted to the Demathieu Bard Construction Group and the lot that oversees the implementation of flexible and hard floor coverings was awarded to Junger et fils, a company based in Hoerdt.

In order to enhance the value of the project, the Martini architectural firm paid particular attention to the selection of materials and their implementation. True indicators of the quality and durability of the structure, the finishes reflect the health of the building. Expansion joints, for example, are essential for the durability of large-area masonry. Placed every 20 or 35 meters according to the NF DTU 20.1 approved standard (Unified Technical Documents), they prevent shrinkage and thermal shock that can lead to the formation of cracks.

Aware of the impact of movements on a building of this size and shape and the temperature variations induced by the continental climate of the region, the project management team renewed its confidence in Couvraneuf’s expansion joint treatment solutions.

Construction Specialties France’s range of joint covers has been built on more than 60 years of expertise in the treatment of expansion joints and the French manufacture of profiles allows a real ability to adapt to the requirements of the project. In response to the specific needs expressed during the design phases, Construction Specialties France has produced a new series of the GFR-50-HD dual-band thermoplastic joint cover model, already proven and designed especially for other projects carried out by Studio Martini.

The GFR-50-HD allows wide amplitude three-dimensional movements and its flush installation improves pedestrian and vehicular traffic by not allowing any jolts or differences in level between the floor coverings and their junctions during the passage.

The GFR-50-HD also meets the requirements of environments where hygiene is essential. This double-band thermoplastic seal has rigid edges designed to snap into the aluminum side supports. This design leaves no gaps and provides a hygienic seal for floor coverings.

The site delivered by Junger et Fils has continuous, flat and hygienic interior traffic in accordance with the conventions applied in hospitals and the accessibility standards required for ERP.

The foundation stone of the New Obernai Hospital was laid at the end of 2016. Work continued for more than two years to remove the 9,000 m² of the future hospital structure from the ground, the cost of which is 17 million euros. At the end of all the work and the opening agreement, unanimously granted by the ERP Security Commission, the NHO opened its doors at the end of May 2019.

We would like to thank the architecture firm Studio Martini for the use of the photos taken by Atelier Dominique Giannelli
Photo© Atelier Giannelli/ Studio Martini