The Bellevue Geriatrics Center project is part of the Saint-Etienne University Hospital (CHU) Master Plan, which aims, among other objectives, to consolidate services related to elderly care and rehabilitation at the Bellevue site.
The Bellevue hospital site is a historic landmark, notable for its scale and architecture, located at the intersection of the city and the natural landscape of the Pilat mountain range. Originally built in 1900 by architect Léon Lamaizière, the hospital features a pavilion-based design.
The project includes :
– The demolition of two existing pavilions and the construction of a new five-level building dedicated to inpatient care (106 beds).
– The renovation of an existing pavilion to house administrative offices, consultation rooms, a day hospital, rehabilitation facilities, and mobile adult psychiatry teams.
The goal of this project is to create a unit dedicated to elderly patients with multiple chronic conditions, either dependent or at high risk of becoming dependent, requiring continuous monitoring and care, whether for short-term hospitalization or for follow-up and rehabilitation care (SSR). These patients have very specific needs related to their health status. The facility is designed to accommodate patients after a hospital stay, before returning home, where they can relearn how to live independently. The environment is carefully designed to support this transitional phase back to daily life.
Architectural, landscape, and environmental strategies focus on restoring harmony between the built environment and its natural surroundings, while preserving and enhancing the site’s strong architectural identity :
Through the façades, establishing a link between historic design and contemporary renewal, by reinstating the original urban layout (the Lamaizière grid), highlighting the site’s greenery, landscaping structure, and plant continuity, and functionally, by ensuring smooth and secure connections between spaces, improving clarity and ease of use for both patients and staff.
Project Owner
University Hospital of Saint-Etienne
Design & Construction Team
Lead Contractor : Groupe Chazelle
Architect : AIA Life Designers
Engineering (MEP, structure, cost management) : AIA Ingénierie
Environmental Expertise : AIA Environnement
Program
Relocation of geriatrics services to the Bellevue site
Surface Area
New construction : 5,900 m²
Renovated area : 3,800 m²
Cost
€16.7 million (excl. VAT)
Timeline
Delivery: 2025–2026
Renderings © Airstudio, AIA Life Designers