A study on Athlete Rehabilitation Center Design and feasability of such a project in the United Arab Emirates

1. ATHLETE REHABILITATION CENTER
LOCATION: UAE
FEASABILITY STUDY
SHAFIYA RIZWAN 200710923

2. DEFINITION
Rehabilitation is a treatment or treatments designed to facilitate the process of recovery
from injury, illness, or disease to as normal a condition as possible.
An athlete rehabilitation center provides the
necessary facilities for athletes and the general
population to facilitate their recovery from sports-
related injuries.
Rehabilitation includes various modalities; physical and
psychological.
LOCATION United Arab Emirates
THE USERS Primary: Athletes Secondary: P.T. Patients
CLIENTS
 UAE Athletic Federation
 Land developer / Owner
 Sports Council (Emirate
wise)

3. KEY LOCATIONAL ADVANTAGES
The United Arab Emirates has developed a keen interest in various kinds of sports. There
are of course innumerable reasons for such a diverse range of interests;
-The UAE is an ethnically diverse country and thus sports are popular due to nationality
interests, eg. Cricket is extremely popular due to a huge Indian expat base.
-Various traditional sports are still promoted keeping the national spirit alive
-Some sports are those that have a generally wide fan base, eg. Football
-Growing target population: The UAE has the second highest rate of diabetes worldwide
and more than 68 per cent of the population are classified as either overweight or obese.
In an effort to tackle these problems the UAE recently made physical activity and exercise
programs compulsory in schools. [1]
-There are more potential professional athletes who are choosing to remain in the UAE
rather than leave and gain training overseas. [1]
-The recent economic downturn has countries like the UAE (which were deeply affected
by the financial crisis) looking forward to the investment in the fast growing and
extremely profitable sports sector.
Source: [1] http://www.austrade.gov.au/Sports-to-the-United-Arab-Emirates/default.aspx

4. -The UAE is at an 8 hour flight for more than half the world's population and coupled with
it’s sunny weather makes it an attractive prospect for rehabilitation.
Source: Interview, Maurice Flanagan's Emirates Airline

5. Below is statistical data listing the top ten most All these factors add up to support that the
popular sports in the country; project is feasible for the UAE and it’s
Sports Following (%) present and future development strategy
Football 45.20
The REHAB Market
Cricket 35.23
Swimming 24.04  With over 10 million severely disabled
people among the Arab population, the
Basketball 20.15
market for Arab rehabilitation products -
Car racing 19.28 spurred by a series of rehabilitation
Boxing 18.52 projects undertaken by the governments -
is today estimated to be around $7 billion
Aerobics / Keep Fit 18.06
annually.
Athletics 17.63
Yoga 17.44
 The deals value generated during REHAB
2010 was over 500 million dhs.
Tennis 15.73
An example of the popularity of sports and an  REHAB emphasizes the integration of
existing athlete population; various elements of success, in terms of
 There are 12 football clubs in the UAE, this is economic, trade, health, tourism which will
quite high when compared to the population motivate the country’s economy because of
and the size of the country. Australia has the its great economic returns.
same no. of football clubs. Source; The REHAB Forum, Dubai

6. FUNCTIONAL STUDY

7. TERMINOLOGY
A. EMG: An acronym for Electromyogram. This is a test to evaluate nerve and muscle function.
B. NCS: An acronym for Nerve Conduction Studies. A test commonly used to evaluate the function, especially the
ability of electrical conduction, of the motor and sensory nerves of the human body.
C. Functional Area: The grouping of rooms and spaces based on their function within a clinical service. Typical
Functional Areas are Reception Areas, Patient Areas, Support Areas, Staff and Administrative Areas, and
Residency Program.
PLANNING AND DESIGN CONSIDERATIONS
A. Consideration should be given to combining areas of common use in order to maximize efficiency of space.
B. Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation Services should be located near the main entrance to the facility in
order to decrease the travel distance for patients with mobility limitations.

8. Athlete
Rehabilitation
Center
Physical Outdoor Inpatient
Administration
Therapy Rehabilitation Facilities
Rehabilitative Counselor
Imaging Nutritionist
Facilities (Psychiatry)
Physical Conditioning/
EMG/NCS Hydrotherapy Swimming Pool Sauna
Therapy Gym Fitness Gym
Hydrotherapy Hubbard
Whirlpool Immersion
Pool Tank

9. Fig: Diagrammatic explanation of facilities
OUTDOOR
REHAB. INPATIENT
FACILITIES
FITNESS
CENTER SWIMMING
POOL
GYM
Hydro
Ther.
SPORT
HALL
P.T.
EMG/
NCS IMAGING SUITE
Admin.
Nutr.
Rec.
PATIENT ACCESS
COMMUNITY ACCESS
ENTRANCE

10. REHAB GYMNASIUM
EQUIPMENTS
o Exercise bicycle (Bike: Upright and Reclining)
o Exercise Stairs (Steps: with rail and without rail)
o Parallel Bars
o Treadmill
o Rower
o Table with armgrinders
o Plinth
o Weight racks: wall space
o Pulley weights (wall mounted)
o Steel Mesh (wall and ceiling mounted)
DESCRIPTION AND FUNCTION
A room for patient evaluation, rehabilitation exercise activities, ambulation
training and group exercises and classes.
Natural light and an external outlook are highly desirable.
LOCATION AND RELATIONSHIPS
The Gymnasium shall be located close to other patient therapy areas with ready
access to a disabled access toilet, cold water dispenser, the circulation corridor,
Unit entry and waiting areas. And to Rehabilitation Ward where provided.
CONSIDERATIONS
Body protected electrical areas.
Empty areas for other rehab procedure (eg. Medicinal ball treatment)

11. TYPICAL ARRANGEMENT OF FACILITY
TYPICAL ARRANGEMENT OF FACILITY

12. TYPICAL ARRANGEMENT OF EQUIPMENTS (FITNESS/CONDITIONING GYM)
KEY:
General Fitness Weight Training Exercise Stations Aerobic Machines

13. ATHLETIC FACILITIES (PITCHES, SPORT HALLS, ETC.)
• SOCCER FIELD
• RUNNING TRACK
• CRICKET PITCH
• TENNIS
• SWIMMING
• SPORTS HALLS
• LIBRARY, A/V ROOMS AND CENTRAL AMENITIES

14. SOCCER FIELD AND RUNNING
TRACK DIMENSIONS
Lane width for single track:
1.25m
Depending on what’s required a
straight 100m track could also be
constructed instead of a 400m
semicircular one.

15. SITE SELECTION
LOCATION: UAE
PROSPECTIVE SITES (Emirates):
ABU DHABI
DUBAI

16. ABU DHABI
INTRODUCTION
Dubai, Abu Dhabi and Sharjah which are three of the seven emirates of United Arab Emirates are the
most crowded emirates. These three emirates account for about 84% of the total population. The
population at United Arab Emirates is mostly urban in nature.
KEY ADVANTAGES OF CHOOSING A LOCATION IN ABU DHABI
 Keen interest in developing it’s sports infrastructure, i.e., promoting internal sports activities
and attracting sports tourism
Rank City Name Emirate Pop.
 A sizeable population 1 Dubai Dubai 1,770,533
2 Abu Dhabi Abu Dhabi 896,751
 No such existing facility
3 Sharjah Sharjah 845,617
 Injury statistics indicate an 4 Al Ain Abu Dhabi 374,000
existing patient database 5 Ajman Ajman 372,923
(REFER TO HEALTH STATISTICS 6 Ras Al Khaimah Ras al Khaimah 171,903
REPORT, NEXT SLIDE) 7 Fujairah Fujairah 107,940
8 Um Al Quwain Um Al Quwain 69,936
9 Khor Fakkan Sharjah 49,635
10 Dibba Fujairah 30,000
Source; www.wikipedia.org, 2008 estimate

17. Abu Dhabi has a fragmented sports distribution approach with facilities being distributed over a vast area (refer to maps
below). This makes it hard to choose an optimum
location if one considers proximity to facilities.
The other problem is that the city itself is completely congested with no open
undeveloped site available that would be would enough for an athlete
rehabilitation center. This leaves us with little choice except to choose a site that
is located on the outskirts of the city.

18. SITE I: ZOOMED IN
Suggested Area
After keeping into account the aforementioned factors I
have chosen the marked site (highlighted in red), as the
most plausible one in Abu Dhabi. It’s location serves as
a compromise between all the fragmented facilities
(refer to map on bottom right) and accessibility from
other Emirates.

19. DUBAI
KEY ADVANTAGES OF CHOOSING A LOCATION IN DUBAI
 Keen interest in developing it’s sports infrastructure, i.e., promoting internal sports activities and
attracting sports tourism
By population Dubai is the largest emirate in the UAE.
 A high influx of injury patients in hospitals indicate an
existing patient database.
 Most ethnically diverse city. This gives it an advantage over any other emirate, as diversity accounts for a
wide variety of sports interest.
 Dubai has the advantage of being centrally located from Abu Dhabi and Sharjah which are the most
populated cities in the UAE after Dubai itself.
 Dubai’s concept of building cities within a city, has created a more organised rather than fragmented
infrastructure.
 Dubai Healthcare city also houses specialised medical
research and treatment facilities making it a feasible
option.
 The government is also interested in attracting
professional athletes, clubs, international councils
for a permanent set-up in Dubai. This further calls for a
permanent and advanced rehabilitation center to cater
to the needs of the incoming athlete population.

21. SITE II
 This site is chosen based on its proximity to all areas in the city in general. It is adjacent to the Nad Al
Sheba racecourse and is at a distance of around 20 to 25 km from Dubai Sports City and Dubai Motor City.
Suggested Area

22. SITE III
 Acts as an annex between Dubai sports city, Dubailand, Dubai motor city and the Emirates golf course.
This would not only save expenditure (avoidance of multiple rehab centers investments) but also channel
more effort and facilities into one project.
Motor city
Sports city
Dubailand
Suggested Zone
Emirates Golf
Course

23. FACTORS
DESCRIPTION PRIORITY 1ST SITE 2ND SITE 3RD SITE
ATHLETIC / TARGET
POPULATION
10 7 8 10
PROXIMITY TO AND NO.
OF HOSPITALS
3 1 2 2
MUNICIPALITY ZONING
STANDARDS
10 3 7 10
LEGIBILITY 9 6 7 9
ACCESSIBILITY 8 6 6 7
ROOM FOR EXPANSION 10 10 9 9
NOISE LEVELS 7 6 5 5
VISUAL ENVIRONMENT 8 3 8 7
TOTAL 65 42 52 59
PERCENTAGE 100% 65% 80% 91%

24. SELECTED SITE: SITE III
Considering all factors Site III is the most plausible location because of the following reasons:
1. It is located in proximity to the E311 (Emirates Road) highway which connects all emirates together.
This makes it extremely accessible especially when one considers the central location of Dubai in the
UAE (Site I and II do not have this advantage).
2. The development would be in line with the development plans of the area, cities within a city
concept.
3. The area is the most concentrated in terms of
sports facilities available and thus it only makes
sense to have a rehabilitation center in
proximity.
4. A large population and ethnically diverse
population gives Dubai an edge over Abu Dhabi
in terms of potential users available and the
variety of sports played.
5. Dubai not only has a keen interest in developing
it’s sports tourism but is also attracting
international sports councils and sports
academies, this definitely means that the patient
database is likely to be greater than in any other
emirate.

25.  Dubai sports city is one of the most inclusive sports city projects in the world and one of it’s
kind. It will also house sports academies, thus it will also be a hub for non professional sports
or upcoming athletes. This will add to the target population of the proposed rehab center.
 Dubai Motor City and Emirates Golf Estates also lie adjacent to Dubai Sports City and the
proposed site. This further indicates that the site around is an active sporting hub making it all
the more feasible for a rehabilitation center.
 The intention is to also attract international teams to use the facilities for training purposes.
This furthers the cause of building a rehabilitation center.
 Currently plans exist for multiple rehabilitation facilities. Having one integrated facility
would not only save expenditure but also channel more effort into one project.

26. SITE SURROUNDINGS

27. SPORTS CITY LANDMARKS
State of the art medical facilities have been
planned but are incorporated within the sports
city without incident (refer to map on right).

28. CASE STUDIES

29. CASE STUDY I
PROJECT: Beit-Halochem Rehabilitation
Center
LOCATION: Be’er Sheva, Israel
ARCHITECTS: Kimmel-Eshkolot Architects
PROJECT AREA: 6,000 sqm
PROJECT YEAR: 2008 – 2011
AWARDS AND RECOGNITIONS: RECHTER
ARCHITECTURE Prize Winner 2011

30. AREA OF SITE: 18,000 sqm
BUILT AREA: 6,000 sqm
MAIN FUNCTIONS
 Society and Community -
auditorium, classrooms, workshops, club
 Rehabilitation - physiotherapy, pool
therapy, massage, clinic
 Sports - basketball court, swimming
pool, gym, billiards, table tennis, gymnastics
 Support and services - cafeteria, changing
rooms, management and maintenance

31. CONCEPTUAL DESIGN
“Desert sun and arid scenery served us as a source of inspiration to design composition of rock-like volumes
that are grouped together.”
 The building divides the site into new topographies, creating two ground floors on two different levels
that are integrated to each other by the architecture of the building. This creates a highly permeable and
active environment even for those with special needs.

32.  These ‘rocks’ accommodate the quiet and intimate functions of the rehabilitation center, whereas the
negative spaces between them serve as gathering spaces and the circulation of the building itself.
 The functional spaces seem to be thrown around the
lobby creating a light permeable environment in contrast
with the thick walled exterior rock-like forms of the
building. The main considerations to planning like the
proximity of the Physiotherapy area to the main lobby
have been considered.

33.  The only double volume buildings are the one
containing the sports hall and the swimming pool.
 The yellow path shows the clear bridged connection
between all the buildings. This allows for the creation of
an ever-changing external-internal and permeable
environment.

34. The use of the horizontal roof
is not only aesthetic but also
functional. The project lies in
the hot Negev desert which
makes two things absolutely
compulsory;
 Thick walls to provide
shelter against the climate
 Light- material roof and
overhangs, solid / louvred to
protect interior areas and
create shaded exterior
Between the rock like forms stretches a thin horizontal roof, and a
courtyard is formed.
Ramps are used throughout the project for easier accessibility and have
a defining character. They are loud gestures and are not pushed into
one corner as a compromise.

35.  In major areas where stairs are used they are broken down into steps of three, is used by recuperating this
would serve as an outdoor exercise alternative.
B
A

36.  The use of heavy
concrete with
lightweight wood
creates a balanced
architectural and
aesthetic feel to
the whole project
 Light- material bridges, span over public spaces connected to
project parts
 There is a seamless integration with the external desert
environment (refer to image on top and bottom left). The idea is
to use the soothing effect of the natural external environment
during the rehab process.

37. CASE STUDY II
PROJECT: National Intrepid Center of
Excellence
LOCATION: Bethesda, Maryland
ARCHITECTS: SmithGroup
PROJECT AREA: 6,689 sqm
PROJECT YEAR: 2010

38.  PT area closely connected to
entrance
 The architects concentrated
the diagnostic, treatment, and
support spaces in an L-shaped
wing whose legs bracket the
main lobby and circulation
area
 Use of internal voids and double
volume gives a sense of
transparency to the whole building
 The center's imaging suite
anticipates changes in technology and
equipment with ten-foot knockout
panels. In addition, the architects
allotted extra space—currently used
for research—to the suite so that it can
add an upgraded MRI or hyperbaric
chamber in the future.

39.  Avoids the institutional look. Use of natural
materials like wood gives a homely feeling.
 At the lobby, the curtain wall takes on a
serpentine shape, its curves echoed on the
interior by a freestanding wood-clad enclosure
that houses physical therapy, the
auditorium, and the chapel.
 A highly penetrable exterior volume
with a closed interior. This gives patients
the feeling of privacy without suffocation.

40. CASE STUDY III
PROJECT: Rehabilitation Centre Groot Klimmendaal
LOCATION: Forest (outside Arnhem), The Netherlands
ARCHITECTS: Architectenbureau Koen van Velsen BV
PROJECT AREA: 14,000 sqm
PROJECT YEAR: 2011
AWARDS AND RECOGNITIONS:
I. Finalist, 2011 Mies van der Rohe Award
II. Building of the Year 2010 by the Dutch
Association of Architects
III.Winner, first Hedy d’Ancona Award 2010 for
excellent healthcare architecture
IV.Winner, Arnhem Heuvelink Award 2010 and
Dutch Design Award 2010 public award and
category commercial interior

41. “Rehabilitation Medical Center (RMC)
Big Klimmendaal provides specialist
rehabilitation care
for children, adolescents and adults wi
th a (potential) limitations in order
optimally to participate in society..”
 The building starts of with a small
footprint and evolves into a multiple
cantilevered masses at the top. These
masses cut out into the surrounding
terrain.
“‘Groot Klimmendaal’ can be found standing as a quiet deer in between
trees… Despite its size, the brown-golden anodized aluminum facade allows
the nearly 14,000sqm building to blend in with its natural surroundings.”
 The building program is stacked up vertically. The distribution is
extremely clear; below are the offices, above the clinical areas and
on the roof a Ronald Mcdonald house.
Storey (inpatient)
Therapy Layer
Special Functions
Management layer

42.  PT and other therapeutic areas are placed at level 0 for easy access (community + internal)
 Ramps are placed throughout the project for patient access. Small number of steps placed
around also for exercise.
 The services (3, 4, 5) are also meant to be used by the community, hence they are placed on
level 0 with external access. This allows the rehab patients to be in touch with the community
and vice versa.
The theatre is also meant to be used for therapeutic treatment.

44.  Two separate gymnasiums are also placed more conspicuously on
level 2.
“Revalidation centre “Groot Klimmendaal’ is a coming
together of both complexity and simplicity with attention for
physical, practical and social details. Transparency,
continuity, layering, diversity, the play of light and shadow
and the experience of nature are all ingredients of this
stimulating environment.”

45. Gymnasium
Theatre Swimming Pool Fitness Gymnasium
Centre
FIG: LONGITUDINAL SECTION THROUGH THE BUILDING

47. CASE STUDY IV
PROJECT: REHAB, Center for Spinal Cord and
Brain Injuries
LOCATION: Basel, Switzerland
ARCHITECTS: Herzog & de Meuron
PROJECT AREA: 22,890 sqm
PROJECT YEAR: 1999 - 2002

48. There are 5 courtyards within the orthogonal plan that correspond to various therapy areas, bring daylight to all parts of
the building, and contribute to wayfinding with identifiable plantings and water features.
The connection between the outdoor and the indoor was the primary concern of the architects. Courtyards are used to
orient the whole structure, each leading to different destinations. The entrance is through a large courtyard (a huge
cultivated field), in other words ‘you enter the complex through an outdoor space.’

50.  From the main lobby, various inner courtyards provide orientation:
one is filled with water, another is clad entirely in wood, the
bathhouse is placed in the third, etc.
 Rooms like the
bathhouse are
entirely inwards in
orientation; placed
in one of the central
courtyards like an
erratic block
wrapped in black
rubber.
 The patient rooms
are arranged around
the building
perimeter, with
ancillary and staff
functions clustered
around the plan-
enclosed courtyards
that penetrate the
large floor plate.

51. Numerous small round holes in the low-slung roof make what looks spectacular
from the outside very intimate from within. The painting workshop and library are
both on the roof to provide views into the distance.
Places like the gym or the workshops, as well as the patients'
rooms are defined by large windowpanes and views of the
landscape, with a seamless transition between inside and
outside.

52. SPATIAL PROGRAM

53. BENCHMARKS AND CAPACITY
THERAPIST WORKLOAD
No. of visits (8 hour day) = 11 visits
Avg. time per patient = 1.375 patients/hr
PATIENT LOAD (using Dubai as benchmark);
No. of patients per year = 107,185 patients (2010, DHA statistic)
No. of patients per day = 294 patients
No. of inpatients per year = 5367 patients (2010, DHA statistic)
No. of inpatient admissions per day = 15 patients
Percentage increase in no. of patients from 2009-2010;
(103231+3736) / (103449+5367) = 1.73%
CENTER CAPACITY
Max. Handling Capacity = 1500 patients
Accommodation capacity = 30 rooms
Estimated no. of clinic stops = 70 per day
Note: Area will be left for future expansion depending on the increase in the no. of patients

54. BUILT-UP AREA
AREA DESCRIP. TOTAL AREA (m2)
General 152
Staff and Admin. 675.64
Areas
Patient Areas 3869.4
Services 1381
Facilities 4767.4
Support Areas 887.5
MEP 416.5
TOTAL 12,149.44
BUILT-UP AREA = TOTAL AREA + (CIRCULATION + STRUCTURE = 35%)
12,149.44 + (12,149.44 x 0.35) =
16,401.7 m²

55. PARKING
AREA DESCRIP. NO. OF AREA PER NO. OF SPACES TOTAL AREA (m2)
USERS PERSON (m2)
Parking (Staff 70 25 --- 1750
+ General)
OPEN FIELDS AND COURTS
DESCRIP. NO. OF LENGTH WIDTH TOTAL AREA (m2)
SPACES
Football 1 91.4 54.9 5017.9
Running Track 1 100 1.25 125
Cricket Pitch 2 11 3.6 79.2
Tennis Court 2 37 18.5 1369
TOTAL 6591.1
LANDSCAPE
DEPENDS ON DESIGN DECISIONS

56. CONCEPT

57. INTRODUCTION
Considering the most basic principle of rehabilitative
treatment, I came with my concept. That is;
NERVE / MUSCLE CONDUCTION
Studying the structure of a nerve-muscle connection
diagram (refer to image on right), form of the building
is inspired from the organic movement of the nerves
engulfing the muscles.

58. DESIGN ENTRANCE
The entrance narrows
and then widens creating
an enclosure which is
welcoming for both sides
The form hugging slit like of the center.
openings are inspired from the
cylindrical structure of nerve
branches which envelope the
muscles (aka form).
The environment is dynamic
and so is the form. Openings
have harmonious but unique Following the pathway would lead to the
styles and form itself morphs outdoor rehabilitative facilities. The
into different shapes and widening of the pathway at this point
segments. creates a sense of purpose as the user
would feel that they are being led to an
important place.
The organic, cocoon shaped
form is inspired from the shape
of muscles. OUTDOOR REHABILITATION
A tight core is created The branching out of nerves is used to create a symbiotic
between the sides of transition between the two project parts. The left side
the facilities to create a focused on; REHABILITATIVE TREATMENT and the right side
social plug in between. on; ATHLETIC FACILITIES which facilitate the rehabilitative
process.

59. The concentric shape of the building form has a psychological advantage. It applies the
principle of the closed shape of the circle in a vertical format. This kind of closed yet not
suffocative (due to lack of sharp corners) environment establishes a sense of security and
orientation in the user.

60. Movement throughout the center is fluid due to the
organic shape of the form. This makes it more
comfortable for the users to physically navigate
around the center.

61. THANK YOU