Architecture

Ship-shaped hospital could set sail for Tunisia

Ship-shaped hospital could set sail for Tunisia
The proposed White Sails Hospital and Spa (Image: Vasily Klyukin)
The proposed White Sails Hospital and Spa (Image: Vasily Klyukin)
View 12 Images
The building comprises four towers which resemble sails sat aboard a ship-like base (Image: Vasily Klyukin)
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The building comprises four towers which resemble sails sat aboard a ship-like base (Image: Vasily Klyukin)
The White Sails Hospital and Spa would be located within Tunisia's Economic City development (Image: Vasily Klyukin)
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The White Sails Hospital and Spa would be located within Tunisia's Economic City development (Image: Vasily Klyukin)
The hospital's resemblance to a ship will go further than skin deep, with medical staff required to dress up as sailors (Image: Vasily Klyukin)
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The hospital's resemblance to a ship will go further than skin deep, with medical staff required to dress up as sailors (Image: Vasily Klyukin)
As unlikely as the project may seem, Klyukin insists that it is indeed going ahead (Image: Vasily Klyukin)
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As unlikely as the project may seem, Klyukin insists that it is indeed going ahead (Image: Vasily Klyukin)
The hospital lights up dramatically at night (Image: Vasily Klyukin)
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The hospital lights up dramatically at night (Image: Vasily Klyukin)
The proposed White Sails Hospital and Spa (Image: Vasily Klyukin)
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The proposed White Sails Hospital and Spa (Image: Vasily Klyukin)
The building comprises four towers which resemble sails sat aboard a ship-like base (Image: Vasily Klyukin)
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The building comprises four towers which resemble sails sat aboard a ship-like base (Image: Vasily Klyukin)
The hospital's resemblance to a ship will go further than skin deep, with medical staff required to dress up as sailors (Image: Vasily Klyukin)
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The hospital's resemblance to a ship will go further than skin deep, with medical staff required to dress up as sailors (Image: Vasily Klyukin)
As unlikely as the project may seem, Klyukin insists that it is indeed going ahead (Image: Vasily Klyukin)
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As unlikely as the project may seem, Klyukin insists that it is indeed going ahead (Image: Vasily Klyukin)
It's designed by Monaco-based Russian billionaire banker and hobbyist architect Vasily Klyukin (Image: Vasily Klyukin)
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It's designed by Monaco-based Russian billionaire banker and hobbyist architect Vasily Klyukin (Image: Vasily Klyukin)
The White Sails Hospital and Spa would be located within Tunisia's Economic City development (Image: Vasily Klyukin)
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The White Sails Hospital and Spa would be located within Tunisia's Economic City development (Image: Vasily Klyukin)
As unlikely as the project may seem, Klyukin insists that it is indeed going ahead (Image: Vasily Klyukin)
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As unlikely as the project may seem, Klyukin insists that it is indeed going ahead (Image: Vasily Klyukin)
View gallery - 12 images

Monaco-based Russian billionaire businessman and hobbyist architect Vasily Klyukin recently unveiled his plan to construct an upmarket hospital and spa that closely resembles a ship. Klyukin hopes that the White Sails Hospital and Spa will become "the world's first hospital that no one is afraid to visit."

Comprising four towers which look like sails, sat aboard a ship-like base, the White Sails Hospital and Spa's resemblance to a ship goes further than skin deep, as the medical staff would also be required to dress up as sailors. If all goes well, the hospital will be located within Tunisia's Economic City development, a large and ambitious project slated to redevelop Enfidha, in the country's northeast.

"I will fly into Space next year," says Klyukin, referring to his plan to take voyage aboard a Virgin Galactic flight. "My health condition has to be checked every six months. That is why I know this feeling very well – every time I'm approaching the white building of the clinic, I don't feel any joy. But I would like to show you the hospital, where there is no room for fear."

It's designed by Monaco-based Russian billionaire banker and hobbyist architect Vasily Klyukin (Image: Vasily Klyukin)
It's designed by Monaco-based Russian billionaire banker and hobbyist architect Vasily Klyukin (Image: Vasily Klyukin)

Klyukin asserts that the project is going ahead, and that at least one investor is involved. However, we've no word concerning its interior, or even a rough timeline for construction, for example – basic details one might hope to see even at this early stage. Therefore, we'd recommend taking the news with a dose of sea salt until more information emerges.

Source: Vasily Klyukin

View gallery - 12 images
8 comments
8 comments
Robert Walther
The Doctors will have to dress up as 'Sailors'?! Will the rich Russian loonie have to dress as Bozo the Clown?
Slowburn
How much extra will that cost?
Grunchy
I'm afraid of their billing dept, that's enough to keep me from ever boarding! I'm afraid this is another ludicrous "hotelicopter" anyway. This pig won't ever fly!
The Skud
If it can be costed effectively - and by that I must add ease of internal travel for efficient patient care - why not build it? These "no-sayers" and others who pour scorn on other's ideas should get a life! Perhaps even saved in this or any other hospital!
Kaido Tiigisoon
A case of someone having more money than good taste.
ezeflyer
Why not build a real hospital ship that can travel to different countries and provide care? Sierra Leone and other Ebola stricken places could sure use it.
Jay Finke
Is building a sail shaped structure a bright idea, am I the only one that sees a problem with idea ? I know, how about a concave shaped one, with a good southern exposure. or in this line of thinking, a cardboard building built with virgin materials "cuz nut'n but the best for are building' . just south east of the concave building !
Stephen N Russell
why not sail the globe to treat illness or aid in Ebola crisis alone & still have medical tourism as income for ship alone