GEMO Begins Construction of Central Pavilion B. The New “Franz Josef” is Set to Open in Spring 2028

“The construction of Central Pavilion B at the Faculty Hospital in Olomouc is one of the strategic investments of the Ministry of Health. We are pleased that we have been able to advance it to the construction phase, and we look forward to the benefits the new building will bring to both patients and healthcare professionals. We view the Faculty Hospital in Olomouc as one of the key healthcare providers in the Czech Republic,” said Czech Health Minister Prof. MUDr. Vlastimil Válek, CSc., MBA, EBIR.

“Upon completion, four entire clinics will move into the new Pavilion B: the Neurology, Neurosurgery, Orthopaedic, and Traumatology Clinics. The Emergency Department, Radiology Clinic, Central Operating Rooms, and the Clinic of Anaesthesiology, Resuscitation, and Intensive Medicine will also expand their facilities there. The building will feature, among other things, ten operating rooms, three operating rooms for one-day surgery with recovery rooms, and an intensive care unit for the relevant departments. In total, 273 patient beds will be housed there, along with a range of specialized medical equipment, including angiographic systems,” describes the hospital’s Deputy Director for Economics, Ing. Tomáš Uvízl.

“The new Pavilion B is crucial for improving the quality of healthcare and for the further development of our hospital as a whole,” says the Director of the Faculty Hospital in Olomouc, Prof. MUDr. Roman Havlík, Ph.D. “At present, the construction of the outpatient oncology pavilion P4 is already underway on our campus, and after the main structure of Pavilion B is completed, we will immediately proceed with the long-awaited and necessary construction of the new headquarters for the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology. So, we are facing challenging years ahead, both for our employees and for our patients and visitors. However, I believe we will manage, and that the few years of discomfort and logistical complications will be richly compensated by modern facilities for providing top-level medical care,” says the hospital’s director.

The construction is being carried out by a construction consortium: GEMO a.s., OHLA ŽS a.s., and HOCHTIEF CZ a.s. The estimated cost is nearly CZK 3.48 billion (excluding VAT), and the construction time is projected to be 1,306 days. The building will be constructed while the hospital remains fully operational. The project is financed through state grants and the hospital’s own resources. The construction will take place in several phases, with the first phase focusing on the construction of the main building, Pavilion B, which will have five above-ground and three underground floors. The total built-up area of the building will be 11,420 m², and the built-up space will exceed 204,391 m³. The total net floor area will exceed 42,966 m². The underground floors will include 153 parking spaces, technical facilities, and underground utility tunnels to connect the new building with the neighbouring hospital structures.

The new pavilion was designed by LT PROJEKT a.s. and EP Rožnov, a.s., with architecture by Pelčák and Partner Architects.
“The architectural design of the new building reflects modern hospital construction with an effort to balance operational needs, efficiency, and aesthetics. It takes inspiration from the historical architecture of Olomouc and strives to organically continue the architectural development seen on the hospital campus. The lower three floors will serve as a base for outpatient services and operating rooms, while a three-story section will house the inpatient wards and the highest technical floor. The structural system of the building is RC frame, that consists of reinforced concrete beams and walls. The building is based on piled foundations. The pavilion will have a ‘green roof’ with retention functionality and will be equipped with a photovoltaic power system. The ventilated facade outer part will be made from composite facade panels with a mineral core, insulating part of the facade will be from mineral wool.,” explains Ing. František Valíček, Head of the Investment Department at the Faculty Hospital in Olomouc.

As emphasized by the hospital’s director, Roman Havlík, an important aspect of the architectural design is also the consideration of patient needs and comfort. “The entrance halls, waiting areas, and interiors are designed to provide a pleasant and calm environment. The building will also include a café and a medical supplies shop, which will enhance the experience for patients and visitors,” says Prof. MUDr. Roman Havlík, Ph.D.

The history of the original Pavilion B, known as Franz Josef, began on April 1, 1892, when the decision was made to build a new hospital in Olomouc. The building was named after the reigning emperor and his long period of rule. The construction of the hospital was completed in 1896, and its era ended with the full demolition of the building at the end of 2023. We will see whether the historic name “Franz Josef” is going to be used.

All information about the ongoing construction of the new “super pavilion” can now be found on the website franzjosef.fnol.cz.