The US $1.217 billion King Khalid Medical City (KKMC) mega project in Dammam is the largest of four integrated medical cities currently under development in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA) and is an essential element of the KSA’s plans to improve its citizens’ access to quality healthcare and medical innovation.  AECOM was appointed to provide a comprehensive range of services, including masterplanning, architecture, interior design, MEP/civil and structural engineering, cost consultancy and medical equipment planning.

AECOM assembled a project team comprising global and local specialist healthcare professionals to respond to such a complex brief.  KKMC’s design is based on an integrated city-within-a-city vision, comprising a world-class academic medical center, mosque, community hospital, schools of medicine, nursing and allied health, hotel, housing, commercial and recreation spaces.   Anchored by a 1500-bed hospital, the KKMC focuses on delivering the highest quality of patient-centered care in an environment conducive to healing.  Throughout the design process, AECOM has adhered to best practice measured against Joint Commission International safe health design standards, applying evidence-based and process-driven design principles.

The KKMC project is distinguished by its focus on environmental sustainability. The scheme has been designed to support the Government’s ambitions for water resource management/efficiency and energy efficiency despite the fact that hospitals are energy intensive both in terms of medical equipment and maintaining an environment for comfort and to aid recovery.  It has its own primary sub-station and a sophisticated central utility plant comprising major sewage treatment, electrical and mechanical plants.

KKMC’s complexity is also demonstrated by a vital sophisticated health information technology infrastructure that addresses the Ministry of Health’s E.Health programme objectives and  critical for accommodating modern and rapidly advancing technologies as well as for responding to future demographic, social and health changes.  KKMC’s highly complex BIM model, one of the largest ever created, provides a valuable tool for the client and contractor to improve the construction process and, ultimately, the operation of the facility.

Of prime importance, KKMC reflects its cultural identity. Locally-sourced materials, geometric patterning inspired by traditional screening, large-scale public art features and a respect for cultural traditions ensure KKMC reflects and responds to the unique culture of its place.