In June 2021, after five years of construction, the approximately €120 million Helios St. Johannes Clinic opened its doors in Duisburg's Alt-Hamborn district. Designed and engineered by Duisburg-based Ludes Architekten und Ingenieure, the modern structure spans 25,000 m² and features a striking entrance hall with integrated cafeteria, plus 400 inpatient beds housed in comfortable single and double rooms across five floors. The new building and its historic predecessor create a compelling dialogue of old and new—unified by an elegant glass entrance pavilion.

Here, advanced medicine and patient comfort work seamlessly together. The design prioritized enhanced patient care and strategic placement of interdependent medical departments—from the emergency room and adjacent cardiac catheterization lab through the operating theatre, combined intensive care units, radiology, and endoscopy. Expansive floor plans and abundant natural light establish a welcoming environment for both patients and staff. Warm-toned reception areas and nursing stations foster open, accessible communication. Single and double rooms reward patients with striking views across Duisburg's industrial skyline. The architectural dialogue between the original red brick structure and the new addition is particularly striking: the heritage-listed arched form has been partially integrated into the new building, while original masonry remains visible in the cafeteria and entrance hall. A transparent passageway—also functioning as the main entrance—elegantly bridges the two buildings. The project's technical scope is remarkable: 110 bored piles, driven 12 metres deep, anchor the foundation. The structure incorporates 1,300 tonnes of steel and nearly 15,000 cubic metres of concrete. Installation included 525 km of cabling, 429 windows, and a 430-tonne gravel layer covering the 5,400 m² roof. The ventilation system's ductwork, if laid end-to-end, would stretch 6.7 km.

www.ludes.net
www.helios-gesundheit.de/duisburg

Photography Credits:

Simon Erath
www.erath-fotografie.de