archipelago wins competition for circular expansion of AZ Herentals
archipelago has won the design competition for Blok M, a circular expansion of the AZ Herentals hospital.
The hospital new wing, Blok M, will accommodate a new public entrance and an expansion of the emergency services combined with an onsite GP outreach centre, consultation rooms for its orthopaedic department. The hospital extension will offer a new interface to the city and makes an unexpected connection to the urban fabric through a floating roof garden.
The design team, together with 4D architects, ABT and Pauwels, has proposed a compact and adaptable building. Within the expected life cycle of 25 years there will be the capacity to modify the program, adapt the building’s structure (with CLT columns + floor slabs and a wooden system facade) and provide components for re-use as part of the end-of-life strategy.
The careful approach, finding an optimal balance between the construction, operation and dismounting, supported by the combined expertise of the team, have resulted in a building that aims for zero-impact while creating an open and evolving care environment.
Partners: 4D architects, ABT, Pauwels