2_1_DiscoverGermany_March2014_Issue12:Scan Magazine 1
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Discover Germany | Special Theme | Creative Germany 2014
Creating new space for health Main image: Ruhrlandklinik in Essen, exterior. Above: Medical facilities Ruhrlandklinik Essen, Bronchology.
Plischke Lühring Architekten are specialists in health care architecture with projects across Germany.
Photos: Kilian C. Schulte TEXT: DORINA REICHHOLD | PHOTOS: PLISCHKE LÜHRING ARCHITEKTEN
At the centre of Plischke Lühring Architekten's work are the people. For more than 30 years PL has worked in the field of health care architecture and design, which comprises planning and building space for patients that need medical treatment or therapy. Their goal is set on creating a healing atmosphere for patients and an efficient workplace for doctors and staff in the health sector, thus “creating new space for health”. The architecture firm is led by Armin Plischke and Norbert Lühring and employs about 50 highly experienced staff. The head office is situated in Aachen, western Germany. Over the last three decades PL has worked on about 60 different hospital projects. Some of them were new builds, planned and designed by PL from scratch, other projects involved reconstruction work while the hos-
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pital was still in operation - a demanding task which requires all of PL's experience and skills to ensure that the hospital's work is efficiently maintained. Communication is a key factor in their work, as can be seen in the rebuilding of the Ruhrlandklinik Essen, in western Germany. “We worked intensely with a highly qualified team of doctors in the field of pulmonology and were able to create two extremely high-performance treatment sections, a bronchology with a glass operating theatre and a weaning-station where patients learn to breathe independently again,” explains PL. “We are also very proud of the implemented colour and material scheme that helps to create a healing environment.” PL are also very skilled when it comes to dealing with tasks that require specialist knowledge, such as work on forensic psy-
chiatry buildings. Besides incorporating all the relevant factors for health care architecture such as organisation, finances and creativity, this type of project also demands that the highest possible standard of treatment for the patients is maintained whilst guaranteeing maximum security for the general public. Giving attention to all parties involved to create new spaces for healththat is what PL's work is focused on. www.pl-architekten.de
Founders Norbert Lühring and Armin Plischke