Swansea's Singleton Hospital is in line for a facelift. New grey and light blue cladding is proposed along the main, south-facing block, which is visible for miles.
The cladding will be an improvement from an insulation and fire safety perspective, according to a design report submitted as part of Swansea Bay University Health Board's planning application to Swansea Council.
It added that the light blue element replicated NHS Wales's corporate colour.
"These colours work well against the existing brick of the building, neighbouring buildings and the backdrop of trees that surround the area," it said.
The cladding is also expected to bring down maintenance costs and improve ventilation.
The Sketty-based hospital has around 330 beds and provides a regional maternity unit and neonatal intensive care, cancer care and other services.
Cladding has already been replaced on the sides of the main block at a cost of around £400,000.
Speaking ahead of that work, the health board said rain and salt from the nearby coast had affected some of the steel frame supports.
It added that the cladding along on the south-facing block was only meant for buildings up to 18m high, whereas the hospital was in excess of 30m high.
But the health board said the cladding was no cause for concern.
Referring to the current cladding proposal, a health board spokeswoman said the team managing the project was working on the design details and on compliance with building control and the fire service.
"When this is complete it will be tendered in order to obtain a cost," she said.
