Wave 4 and 5 | ECR Health Care Complex

Unique approach for pre- and post-medical procedure care. Supported by a holistic patient rehabilitation program.

Pre- and post-medical procedure care, delivered with support from a holistic patient rehabilitation program. Sea wave geometry, creatively translated into architectural language, is reflected in the dynamic building forms. Combined with references to local decorative motifs, it creates a cohesive aesthetic whole and builds place recognition.

Buildings Wave 4 and 5 are part of the European Family Center medical complex in Sopot. The buildings were constructed as part of a single investment project, the second phase of the ECR complex, with complementary functions. Each has four above-ground floors. Wave 4 includes two underground levels, Wave 5 one. Both have similar above-ground heights of about 20 meters.

Wave 4 houses 35 supervised medical stay rooms, a restaurant, and a rehab facility for treating musculoskeletal conditions. Wave 5 is mostly dedicated to medical rehab spaces, including a hyperbaric and cryogenic chamber, movement therapy rooms, and specialized treatment rooms using laser-based technologies. The top floor has 8 supervised medical stay rooms.

The building form and facade draw inspiration from Pierre Carreau’s AquaViva photo series; observations from the images shaped the final architectural design. Proximity to the sea influenced material choices. The site is in “Lower Sopot,” just 400 meters from the beach.

Depending on user needs, the buildings can show two faces. A white aluminum screen reflects sunlight, protecting the south, east, and west facades from overheating. With adjustable louvers, it can form a continuous barrier over windows when needed. A nod to local tradition of facade ornaments, the panels feature the Flower of Life—a ancient healing symbol. Openings and solid parts were refined using 1:1 physical models for optimal balance. This allows comfortable use even with louvers fully closed, cutting summer cooling needs. Prefab balconies add rhythm and shadow play; their railings limit views into private balcony and room spaces.

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Wave geometry references appear in the building’s upper zone and the entrance canopy’s spatial form.

AquaViva

The building’s massing draws inspiration from the AquaViva photo series by artist Pierre Carreau, capturing close-up views of ocean waves. Wave geometry references appear in the upper zone and the entrance canopy’s spatial form. Sunlight gliding across the facade highlights its subtle divisions, creating a striking three-dimensional presence.

The panel perforation nods to local building tradition of placing ornaments on facades.

The facade panels feature perforations based on the Flower of Life symbol. This pattern appears in ancient Egyptian temples, Indian sites, and Maya artifacts. The design nods to local building traditions of placing ornaments on building facades, covering all aluminum panels—flat sections, variable geometry areas, and louver shapes. The perforation flows seamlessly from one panel to the next, creating a cohesive whole.

The main entrance canopy seamlessly blends with the upper zone of the front facade.

Canopy.

The main entrance canopy is an integral part of the building’s massing and seamlessly integrates with the upper zone of the front facade. Its bold projection—created via a suspended steel structure—adds depth and shapes the character of this section. Functionally, it protects against harsh weather while enabling unique terraces accessible from Wave 4’s first-floor rooms.

Prefab balconies are a signature facade feature, adding rhythm and dynamic light-shadow play.

Rhythm.

Prefab balconies are a signature facade feature, adding rhythm and dynamic light-shadow play. Their railings are designed to limit views into the private balcony and room spaces. The balcony undersides echo the facade’s geometry. Before final construction, a full-scale model was built to verify the technical and aesthetic aspects of the design.

3D modeling played a key role in optimizing the design and construction.

3D modeling greatly simplified the execution of the building’s unusual geometry. Separate models were created for the outer skin, steel structure, and concrete structure. These models enabled precise drawings for the steel framework and formwork—including complex formwork for the parapets. The formwork arrived as ready-made modules for on-site assembly in designated spots.

Site constraints and the need to incorporate equipment during construction required custom design solutions.

Local regulations limiting the underground section’s maximum footprint led the investor to build two underground levels in Wave 4. Due to the high groundwater level, specialized excavation protection and dewatering systems were required. Extensive geotechnical surveys were conducted beforehand to avoid construction surprises.

Some medical equipment, due to its weight, had to be installed inside the building during construction. The design phase accounted for both the delivery route and necessary structural reinforcements to enable vertical movement of heavy components.

The Building’s Green Path.

The buildings feature systems that reduce environmental impact. Rainwater is collected in an extensive tank system for sanitary use and greenery maintenance. Photovoltaic panels over the technical terrace lower the building’s electricity demand. Internal circulation lighting includes motion sensors to cut energy use.