Daiichi
Daiichi is a hospital building located in Himeji City, Japan. The seven-story structure replaces an older block and holds one hundred beds. A porous facade is treated as a thin sheet and repeated in several layers, which gives the building depth and softens the heavy image often linked to hospital architecture. The layered corner responds to the angular shape of the site and marks the main entrance. White surfaces are used to suggest cleanliness and to calm patients. A grid of metal beams and pillars supports the building and meets strict earthquake safety rules.
Daiichi Hospital by Tetsuya Matsumoto has been highlighted as an innovative example of architectural design by the A' Design Award. Daiichi Hospital was awarded the Silver A' Design Award in Architecture, Building and Structure Design in 2024. The A' Architecture, Building and Structure Design Award is a highly prestigious international design prize which recognizes superior design of skyscrapers, museums, residential buildings, commercial complexes, educational institutions, religious structures, infrastructure designs, landscaping projects and more.
