Another Technological Innovation! Steel Structure Reticulated Shell of HeYou International Hospital Project Successfully Lifted

On March 18, the HeYou International Hospital project reached a significant construction milestone—after 8 consecutive hours of intensive work, the curved steel structure reticulated shell of the hospital's main building was successfully lifted, completing an exciting feat! The main facade of the hospital building adopts a spatial reticulated shell structure, and its unique appearance will become a distinctive landmark in the medical and health field, with the initial form of the Greater Bay Area health living room taking shape.

The successful lifting of the hospital's main building reticulated shell structure also reflects the pioneering and innovative spirit of HeYou International Hospital (in preparation) (hereinafter referred to as “HeYou”). It is reported that this is the first application case of a hospital main building reticulated shell structure in China, with its technological innovation reaching a leading domestic level.

At 16:30 on March 18, with the simultaneous activation of 8 hydraulic jacks on 8 lifting frames, the curved reticulated shell roof of the HeYou main building, weighing approximately 400 tons and with a total height of 23.37 meters, slowly ascended and was successfully lifted into place after 8 hours of intense and orderly construction.

HeYou is the first private hospital in China to apply a reticulated shell structure to its main building. Its reticulated shell structure is a large-span spatial irregular curved single-layer reticulated shell, composed of interwoven bent and twisted steel members and cast steel joints, with a length and width of 175.9 meters and 91.6 meters respectively, covering an area of approximately 8,337 square meters. The facade of the reticulated shell features a “7” shape, sliding directly from the top of the shell to the ground, making its installation and positioning extremely complex.

The HeYou International Hospital project team and all personnel from the Steel Structure Division of China Construction Third Engineering Bureau, the contractor, worked day and night for 3 months, adopting the most advanced “Ultra-Large Hydraulic Synchronous Lifting Technology” in China. Overcoming numerous difficulties and challenges, they successfully lifted the reticulated shell to the designated height.

Throughout the construction process, BIM technology was utilized, adopting the “Rhino+Tekla” model for comprehensive construction simulation of the reticulated shell. During component fabrication, the “Precision CNC Cutting” method was employed for bent and twisted members, enhancing their manufacturing accuracy. During component positioning, the “3D Scanning Precision Positioning” mode was used as an auxiliary, controlling the installation error of components to the millimeter level, with technological innovation reaching a leading domestic level.

HeYou originates from the philanthropic aspiration of Mr. He Xiangjian, founder of Midea, to “benefit the hometown and give back to society.” Founded with investment from Midea Holdings, it is located in the core of the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area—the Sanlong Bay High-End Innovation Cluster in Foshan—and is a key project of Guangdong Province.

The hospital is designed according to the standards of a domestic Grade 3A general hospital and international quality certification systems. It plans to occupy 386 mu of land, with a total construction area of 580,000 square meters, and is planned to have 1,500 beds. HeYou is a non-profit hospital, and all future operating surpluses will be used for the hospital's own development, medical research, and social welfare.

Designed by the top design team BAI Design International (UK), HeYou adopts the concept of a garden hospital to create a new benchmark for green, eco-friendly, and smart healthcare. Through the reticulated shell structure and landscape nodes such as enclosed courtyards, sky gardens, and artistic corridors, the hospital introduces sunlight, air, and greenery into the interior space. The building environment in harmony with nature transforms HeYou Hospital into a large urban garden, effectively reducing stress for patients and medical staff.

HeYou has also won multiple world-class awards, including the German ICONIC Award: Innovative Architecture, the WAF World Architecture Festival Award, the WAN World Architecture News Award, the American MUSE Design Award, the American Masterprize Architect of the Year Award, the American IDA International Design Award, the American BLT Built Design Award, the Italian A' Design Award, and the CHCC China Hospital Construction Award (Top Ten Interior Design).

Since the groundbreaking on November 13, 2020, the construction of the HeYou International Hospital project has been progressing smoothly, with the hospital's main building topping out on November 13, 2022. The successful completion of this reticulated shell lifting has created conditions for subsequent construction work such as roofing, electromechanical installation, and interior decoration.

HeYou is scheduled to commence operations on June 28, 2024. It will strategically focus on six key disciplines: Oncology, Orthopedics and Sports Medicine, Brain Science and Neurology, Cardiovascular Medicine, Women's and Children's Health, and Health Management and Geriatric Medicine. It will introduce and integrate clinical medical research systems, service systems, and talent training systems that align with world-class standards, striving to become a non-profit, comprehensive, and international hospital that meets international standards, achieves a leading domestic level, features Guangdong characteristics, serves the Greater Bay Area, and radiates its influence both domestically and internationally.