Preserving Monumental Hospital Heritage While Providing Efficient Health Services. The Case of the Goyeneche Hospital in Arequipa Peru

The preservation and defense of a heritage building, including hospitals considered historical monuments, are essential to maintain and strengthen the identity of a community. On the other hand, it is crucial to provide quality health services for the population, especially in countries of the Global South, where resources are scarce and development opportunities are not frequent. But, what happens when both interests collide? Is it possible to maintain a unique built heritage and, at the same time, meet the basic health needs of the population?. This research presents the case of the Goyeneche Hospital in Arequipa, the best example of Neo-Gothic architecture in the city, built with a local white and pink ashlar stone, and, at the time of its construction at the beginning of the twentieth century, one of the most advanced in Latin America, but which has seriously deteriorated over time. On the other hand, many voices are calling for its demolition to allow the construction of a modern hospital in its place, since it is located in the city’s downtown area. This study proposes solution alternatives for both perspectives, beginning with a detailed architectural and typological historical analysis of the Goyeneche Hospital. Then, we offer a perspective to the functional demands required by this facility and the management problems that hinder its development. Finally, an architectural restoration project is proposed that reconciles the preservation of the hospital heritage with the development of efficient and useful health infrastructure for the population by means of the adaptive reuse concept.