Zentralklinik Georgsheil

The Georgsheil Central Clinic, which will be renamed the East Frisian Seas Central Clinic in 2026, is currently being built as the largest public building project in East Frisia near the district of Georgsheil in the municipality of Südbrookmerland (Aurich district). Thanks to its central location between Aurich, Emden and Norden, the new clinic is set to replace the existing hospitals.

The clinic, with over 800 beds, is expected to open in 2029 on a 36-hectare site east of Uthwerdumer Straße. The three hospitals in Aurich, Emden and Norden will merge into a single facility. The new clinic will offer modern working conditions, ensure a high quality of stay and, above all, create a shared identity.

The architecture is based on a relaxed campus on an artificial mound: buildings of appropriate proportions are grouped around a common centre, connected by circular paths, parking areas and the bus station. Additional buildings and the extensive clinic park blend harmoniously into the open landscape of East Frisia.

In autumn 2020, the architectural firm gmp International GmbH, Aachen, together with WES GmbH LandschaftsArchitektur, Hamburg, emerged as the first prize winner from the preliminary competition. The campus structure with its village-like ensemble and good transport links were convincing. The internal access and operational requirements also distinguished the design. All rooms offer a view of the surrounding countryside, which increases patient comfort. Thanks to the brickwork typical of the region, the design blends harmoniously into its surroundings.

The groundbreaking ceremony in November 2024 marked the start of construction on the joint central hospital for the district of Aurich and the city of Emden. The preparatory infrastructure measures have largely been completed, allowing civil engineering work to begin. Around 1,400 bored piles have already been driven into the ground to form the foundation.

The first construction phase has already been handed over to the structural contractor. In order to reduce the number of trips made by concrete vehicles, a dedicated concrete mixing plant has been built on site, saving over 9,000 truck journeys. The new large-scale hospital on the 36-hectare site in Uthwerdum is scheduled to open in 2029 and will strengthen inpatient healthcare in the region in the long term.

The interior design focuses on a bright, warm atmosphere. A consistent colour and material concept, based on findings from colour psychology, creates a friendly atmosphere for patients and staff. The foyer, as the central access area, is spacious and flooded with natural light. Overall, natural light plays a central role in the building’s design. Common areas are highlighted through the targeted use of colour, which is also used in the signage and orientation system. In many places, it is possible to see into the inner courtyard, helping people to find their way around the building. Almost all patient rooms overlook the clinic park and the surrounding landscape. Inside, the patient cupboards form bed alcoves with indirect lighting.