The second largest hospital in Mexico clads its façade with Dekton

With nearly seven million inhabitants, Puebla is the fifth most populous state in Mexico. The San Alejandro Regional General Hospital (HGR) is an essential part of the medical infrastructure serving its residents, but after suffering structural damage due to the 2017 earthquake, it has been under rehabilitation for several years. Now, thanks to a significant investment, it has become a cutting-edge centre and the second largest hospital in Mexico, as well as the first with a Cosentino façade.

Its renovated 14,000 square metres include 180 beds, 35 specialties, nine operating theatres, areas for surgery and therapy, laboratories, a chemotherapy unit, and neonatal and adult intensive care units.

The company Primer Plano, experts in façade construction and remodelling, carried out the work, with the design conceptualised by the Faculty of Higher Studies Acatlan UNAM. The architects in charge of the project state that its most interesting architectural feature is precisely the clean, durable, stone-like appearance of the façade, qualities they consider important for this type of complex.

Two Dekton colours were chosen: Dekton Sasea, with soft cream tones and a balanced base between warm beige and light grey, reflecting the subtle texture of Sahel limestone, and Dekton Kovik. The latter perfectly complements the former with its neutral light grey base, subtle veining, and sandy warmth reminiscent of limestone. Both were chosen as they are the institutional colours of the hospitals in the area.

With Dekton, the hospital's management can be confident that the material will remain unchanged for at least 25 years, which is the duration of its warranty. However, it is likely to last much longer as it does not degrade or lose colour under the sun and withstands rain, wind, humidity, frost, and sudden temperature changes without alteration. Furthermore, it neither expands nor contracts, preventing cracks and movement in the cladding. Against fire, this carbon-neutral surface from cradle to grave performs excellently, as it is non-combustible.

The Faculty of Higher Studies Acatlan UNAM, responsible for the design, also considered that, being non-porous, the Dekton façade will not absorb water, dust, or pollution. In fact, it can be cleaned with just water and neutral soap; it does not require periodic treatments or sealing.

The Dekton panels of this ventilated façade have been fixed with structural adhesive to a metal framework (DKC system), a system that allows adaptation to large formats and layouts in both horizontal and vertical orientations, while also being simple and easy to install. The ventilated façade is an ideal construction solution for improving energy efficiency, increasing the façade's durability, for which Dekton is an excellent cladding option.

“We chose Dekton for its durability, format, thickness, and low maintenance. The material has been a success, and it remains the specification for future hospital renovations by the IMMS,” the architects conclude.