The project was to be in the space formerly occupied by the "Villa Auguste," located in the garden of the Hôtel Hermitage.

To better meet the needs of the French Riviera - Liguria - Piedmont region in the treatment of thoracic and cardiovascular diseases, the project gradually grew, leading to 3 successive developments, the façades of which are pictured opposite.

The 1st project, envisaged in the interests both of modernism and of integration with the outstanding setting, had been devised by blending a contemporary register for the upper part and a classical aspect for the lower part, thus integrating seamlessly with neighbouring buildings: the Hôtel Hermitage and the Villa Les Aigles (designed by architect Charles Garnier, currently seen restored).

The 2nd project, which defined the development better by then, narrows on the 6th floor, preparing in its axis for the slender rise of the volume above, which is given emphasis by superimposed arches, thus retaining a modern touch despite its classical style.

The 3rd project is the one realized in 1987. The definitive schematic design remains classical overall, particularly as far as the base is concerned, yet it retains the slender rise put forward in the second project for the upper volume.

The finalized version of the project combines two contrasted areas, the interior and the exterior, in which architect Charles-Jean Schmeltz has "sheathed modernity":

The interior is thoroughly modern, with large windows overlooking the port of Monaco. The Centre combines transparency, a sense of space, comfort and perfect suitability for medical purposes. Its interior decoration is influenced by the contemporary designers F.L. Wright, Mies Van der Rohe, Le Corbusier, Mc Intosh and Breuer.

The style of the urban exterior contrasts with the interior, combining cornice outlines, columns and fascias that echo the exuberance of neighbouring façades.

Architect Charles-Jean Schmeltz's stylized caduceus recurs on the capitals of the classical columns, the floor in the 6th floor reception area, in the lift and on the handles of the entrance and restaurant doors.

The architectural layout was designed to meet the requirements of the care services: each floor groups together a hub of activity.

The octagonal-shaped upper part comprises three 6-room hospital wards (7th, 8th and 9th floors) around a central patio that is the location for the nurses' station, thus avoiding the functional disadvantages of "corridors," which are not adapted to medical work.

In the lower part, the rock that supported the Villa Auguste, was "excavated" (70 000m3) and replaced with 8 floors, 6 of which are approximately 1 000 m².

The central technical suites make it possible for the patient to be under the collegial control of every medical department required, at all times and via the same monitoring equipment.

To meet the frequent need for the technical departments to carry out maintenance without disturbing nursing and medical staff, these levels have a 2-floor annexe, one floor of which is given over entirely to maintenance.

Central lifts serve the lobby on each floor. One of these, set aside for patient transportation, has direct access to the technical suites, another is for visitors and the third is used to take out linen and refuse.

"Clean" and "dirty" areas were separated and simplified at the outset, when the establishment was designed.