Century-Old Hospital Reborn | AIA Life Designers Transforms Medical Spaces at Hospital Saint-Joseph in Marseille
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© AIA Life DesignersOn December 9, 2025, the new Vernejoul building of Saint Joseph Hospital in Marseille, France, was officially inaugurated. The ceremony was attended by Bruno Vergobbi, President of Saint Joseph Hospital and Foundation; Sophie Dostert, Hospital Director; Delphine Beji, Chairman of AIA Life Designers; as well as representatives from local government and health authorities, all gathered to witness this landmark moment. The project, with AIA Life Designers serving as the lead designer, marks a profound renewal of the century-old hospital, bridging its historic medical spaces with contemporary practices.
Celebrating 100 years, Saint Joseph Hospital opens a new chapter of accessible and modern healthcare services.
© Sergio GraziaA Growing Hospital, A Challenge of the Times
Founded in 1921 and located in the Prado district of Marseille, Saint Joseph Hospital has, for over a hundred years, served not only as a large private hospital but also as a “neighborhood medical facility” deeply integrated into the city’s life. As the campus expanded to nearly 40,000 square meters, the layering of buildings from different eras, while testifying to medical progress, gradually revealed complexities in spatial organization and patient flow. How to respect history while responding to modern healthcare needs became the core challenge for the hospital’s development.
© Nicolas FusslerAIA Life Designers’ Approach: Creating Clarity and Warmth Amid Complexity
In response to this challenge, the hospital initiated a systematic master plan update. Within this framework, the Buès extension building to the north and the new Vernejoul building to the south, both led by AIA Life Designers, were conceived to address the core demands of modern healthcare.
The two buildings serve distinct purposes: the northern Buès building focuses on enhancing imaging and diagnostic capabilities, while the southern Vernejoul building integrates multidisciplinary outpatient services and high-tech cardiovascular surgery functions, seamlessly connecting with the existing surgical areas and significantly improving the hospital’s overall operational efficiency.
Design intelligence permeates every detail. Confronted with the site’s sloping terrain and the intricate layout of existing structures, the architects skillfully resolved topographical challenges with a gentle yet dynamic stepped form. Multi-level garden terraces were incorporated, acting as “breathing oases” embedded within the medical environment, offering patients and staff valuable access to natural light and psychological respite.
© Sergio GraziaThe building’s façade is clad in warm-toned terracotta bricks, specially selected by the architects. The subtle texture of the bricks under sunlight quietly echoes the distinctive memory of Marseille’s local stone, allowing the new structures to integrate humbly and warmly into the historic fabric of the century-old campus.
© Nicolas FusslerSpatial Innovation Behind the Data
The renewal, coordinated by AIA Life Designers, has brought substantial capacity and experiential upgrades. The newly added 6,700 square meters of specialized medical space, meticulously planned, robustly supports the hospital’s daily outpatient volume of approximately 1,500 visits and tens of thousands of annual inpatient and emergency treatments.
As Mrs. Delphine Beji, Chairman of AIA Life Designers, explains: “Renovation means choosing to transform with humility toward heritage and ambition for the quality of care.”
The realization of this project is indebted to the vision and trust of Saint Joseph Hospital’s management and the collaborative support of all partners. AIA Life Designers is deeply honored to have participated as the design partner in this multi-year “collective adventure.”