Architect: VK architects+engineers, part of Sweco and Wiegerinck
Client: AZ Jan Portaels
Budget: € 200.000.000
Timing: Construction: 2024 -
Status: In execution
The new building, with a capacity of 300 beds, is remarkably smaller than the current infrastructure. Whereas the current site is an elongated succession of buildings, ‘two blocks’, along one side for hospitalisations and consultations and along the other for examinations and interventions, form the basis of the new infrastructure. The organisation thus takes a huge step forward in terms of efficiency.
The new hospital will be home to a compact, agile and sustainable ‘health house’ where (the care of) the patient is central. Some 950 healthcare professionals, including 140 doctors, 750 staff and 60 volunteers will provide personalised, basic specialist care to all patients in its care region every day there.
The structure that will be erected is maximally flexible due to the choice of a modular building concept. The entire building will follow the same pattern and dimensions within a ring structure.
The hospital will be ‘all-electric’: a first in the Belgian healthcare sector. Moreover, the new building will make maximum use of renewable energy sources: solar energy, underground energy storage via a geothermal heat pump system, heat recovery, rainwater recovery and reuse.
The building is imbued with the ‘healing environment’ concept. It is designed to maximise patients' well-being, recovery and comfort. Examples include the presence of natural light in every room, views of either the city park or the patio, a thoughtful use of colour and materials for furnishings, the implantation of quiet, green spaces throughout the building, access to roof gardens for patients admitted to the palliative and psychiatric ward, and so on.
Our role as executive architect in this project is somewhat atypical. Instead of working directly for the architect, this time we are supporting the contractor at his request. This collaboration takes place in two phases.
Development phase of the Execution Dossier
The architects drew up a construction application file with a performance specifications. It is now up to the construction team, to which we belong together with the contractor, subcontractors and the study offices, to further elaborate this into a technically coherent and executable file in BIM.
In doing so, our tasks focus on the:
Construction phase
During the construction phase, the architect retains a classic control assignment. Our role is to provide technical assistance to the contractor. We ensure that the documents going to the client are of a high quality (technically).
Photo: mock-up prefab concrete facade
