According to a press release, the Cantonal Hospital Baden is sticking to its real estate strategy after a feasibility study on the possible further use of the old building. This envisages the demolition of the old building and the creation of a green zone after the commissioning of the new building in 2024.
A renovation and change of use of the KSB hospital, which was built in the 1970s, would be technically feasible, but would involve enormous financial and planning risks and uncertainties. This is the conclusion of the feasibility study, according to the KSB press release.
The architectural firm Schneider und Schneider in Aarau prepared the study on behalf of the Board of Directors of KSB AG. It was to analyse the potential of a conversion. “Although demolition is planned in the master plan, we wanted to critically question once again whether the existing building including the base building really needs to be demolished or whether it can be put to a new use,” Daniel Heller, Chairman of the Board of Directors of KSB AG, is quoted as saying. In the current discussion about sustainability and resource conservation, it is obvious that the option of preserving the building should be seriously examined.
In particular, questions about the condition of the supporting structure of the hospital building, which was opened in 1978 and consists of a base building and a ten-storey ward block, were clarified. In the 105-page study, the supporting structure was found to be in good condition even after 44 years of operation.
Theoretically, therefore, there would be the potential for a conversion to flats, offices or health and catering businesses. In practice, however, such a conversion would involve very high investments and an incalculable amount of work, according to the KSB press release.
