Execution Project Management - Hospital of Nantes

On the Île de Nantes, an exceptional hospital district is taking shape. With its 13 buildings spread over 10 hectares, the future Nantes hospital embodies a new generation of healthcare facilities: open to the city, integrated into their territory, and designed for care, research, and education. At the heart of this extraordinary construction site, Patriarche is leading the execution project management with method, commitment, and responsibility.

A Unique Mission, a Structuring Role

As execution project manager, Patriarche ensures the proper realization of the project, designed by Art&Build, Pargade Architectes, and Artelia. Acting as representative of a consortium that includes Edeis and Builders & Partners, the agency is responsible for ensuring the site complies with the original design and regulatory framework. In other words, it oversees the execution of construction contracts, coordinates the various stakeholders, ensures quality control of the work performed, and manages costs. This demanding mission currently involves 35 people at Patriarche, spread across Nantes, Ivry, Lyon, and Le Bourget-du-Lac. Project director Valérie Banon defines this role: “Our job is to build as designed, ensuring compliance, quality, and consistency. We are the point of contact for the client and the contractors, guaranteeing proper implementation and overall project performance.”

A Large-Scale Site, an Agile Organization

The New University Hospital of Nantes is the largest hospital construction project in Europe. It includes:

230,000 m² of floor space, equivalent to 14 football fields
€750 million in construction costs
1,200 workers at the peak of activity
13 buildings divided into 4 geographic blocks

Faced with this complexity, Patriarche has implemented shared processes across all consortium entities. “Whether working on block 1 or block 4, the methods are the same. That’s essential to ensure consistency and fluidity on site,” explains Valérie Banon.

An On-Site Agency: Method, BIM, and Field Presence

To manage a project of this scale, Patriarche has deployed an exceptional organization. A dedicated project agency was created on the Île de Nantes, at the heart of the site, bringing together architects, engineers, cost estimators, BIM managers, and construction engineers. This physical presence allows for maximum responsiveness, close contact with contractors, and smooth coordination with the client.
In addition to this physical presence, BIM plays a central role in the organization. The project is entirely managed using a digital model, with dedicated teams for updates, synthesis, and technical and architectural coordination. This approach enables coordination among the many stakeholders, anticipation of interfaces, management of changes, and real-time oversight of the entire site.
“Being present on-site every day is essential. It helps build trust with contractors and the client, and allows us to respond precisely to on-the-ground challenges,” emphasizes Valérie Banon.

An Inhabited Architecture, Designed for Use

Patriarche is proud to implement the excellent design by Art&Build, Pargade Architectes, and Artelia. The design teams envisioned the new hospital as a true health-focused neighborhood, featuring a pedestrian-friendly base and integration into the urban fabric. The future Nantes hospital is not just functional—it is a vibrant, green place to live. Around the hospital, the Nantes metropolitan area is developing a true ecosystem: medical school, blood institute, biotech startups… The project fits into a broader urban vision, where the hospital becomes a catalyst for synergies and a key player in the region.
This project is a true challenge, requiring cross-disciplinary skills, the ability to unite, to communicate, and to adapt. It embodies attentive architecture, respecting the original intentions and contemporary demands. “This site is long and complex, but it carries a strong ambition. We are proud to contribute to it with rigor and commitment,” concludes Valérie Banon.

Client
Nantes University Hospital (CHU de Nantes)
Team
Execution Project Management: Patriarche
Consortium Partners: EDEIS (Engineering for technical and structural packages / Site supervision / Handover assistance), Builders & Partners (Site supervision / Handover assistance / Coordination / BIM)
Design Project Management: Art&Build, Pargade Architectes, Artelia
Scheduling, Coordination and Supervision (OPC): AIA Management
Credits
Photos: ©Yann L’Hostis