The non-clinical, scientific institutions of the Medical University of Graz are in multiple locations in Graz, from the city centre to its north-eastern edge. The Medical University therefore decided to build a new building which allows the highest level of scientific research and education in close proximity to the hospital. Erick van Egeraat’s striking design for the new MED CAMPUS gives the medical university a unified, corporate identity.

The architecture is designed to not only promote the communication and interaction between the clinical and non-clinical facilities, but also create the identity for its central function for the adjacent residential suburbs.

The organizational structure of MED CAMPUS is readable in its physical structure: 17 university institutes are grouped into four centres, project-based research spaces and core facilities reinforce collaboration and resource sharing. Its functions are stacked horizontally, progressing from public to private from the bottom upwards.

With this project, the university strengthens its significance and appeal to young, studious, inquisitive and internationally oriented students and scientists, and becomes a place where important, life-saving knowledge for society is taught and anchored in the city. The functionality, added value, reduced environmental impact and moderate use of resources of its architecture lays the foundation for a broad acceptance of the new building and the university which will exceed the city’s and country’s boundaries.