First Quarter 2001

Hospital de Gran Canaria Doctor Negrín
Concrete Masonry Creates Dynamic Appearance

Located on the island of Gran Canaria, the largest of the Canary Islands belonging to Spain, the Hospital de Gran Canaria Doctor Negrín is one of the most emblematic buildings in the region. The design of the hospital is a result of the extreme creativity used by the architects to tame an irregular landscape containing vastly different elevations. The dramatic variance in elevations prompted architects to design five platforms to contain the hospital. Each of the six floors has direct access to a main street to meet the needs and purposes of a modern hospital. Clever designers worked with the majesty of the natural topography to supply ocean views to all the infirmary rooms.

Pictured Right: AIDHOS S.A., (Architects and Engineers of Hospitals) in Madrid, Spain, specified architectural concrete masonry units for this project. The most attractive qualities of concrete masonry are its beauty, durability and low maintenance.

The enormous project attractively demonstrates the loadbearing capabilities of concrete masonry units. The 2,088,526 square foot (193,382 sq m) structure utilizes the most current technology for all of its features, from building access to equipment, from functionality to aesthetics.

The hospital offers space, comfort and potential for future growth. The architects have combined creativity and technology to provide the ultimate environment for patients, medical professionals and maintenance personnel. "Heterodox" solutions were employed in the building design and made construction of the enormous facility very efficient. This concept of Heterodox design means that services and infrastructure run parallel to each other within the same space.

The hospital offers:

• Spacious ambulatory surgery areas;
• 1465 private and semi-private rooms;
• Separate corridors for hospitalized and ambulatory patients;
• Minimized crossing among personnel and patients and minimized circulation time;
• Study and research areas on each floor;
• A large percentage of the space in the hospital is dedicated to education and research;
• A separate building is devoted to research activities;
• Each level has direct access to and from all main Canaria Isle’s streets;
• Heliport;
• Social and commercial gathering space in the main access (lobby);
• 1649 covered parking spaces;
• Extensive gardens;
• Ocean view is preserved since the hospital borders a golf course.

The hospital is testimonial to the beauty and functionality of concrete masonry units and the imaginations of the architects who brought the vision to reality.

Pictured above: The 1,300,000 "Split Ghandia" 8" x 8" x 16" (20 cm x 20 cm x 40 cm) concrete masonry units were produced on two Besser Dynapac® concrete products machines by Verni Prens S.A. of Valencia, Spain.

Inside This Issue

Capturing the South Texas Market: Southwest Concrete Products, L.P.

Opportunities for Concrete Education Expand

The Importance of Testing Concrete Masonry Units

Learning the Benefits of Concrete Masonry

Production Tip

Service Parts

All About OSHA - Post Inspection (Part 3 of 3)

Company Exceeds Industry Prediction: Bark River Concrete Products

High Pressure MixerWash

Expand Your Product Line: Antiquing Machine and Founders Spray Machine

Besser Block Talk: Bullnose Concrete Masonry Units