Insight
What are the challenges of the hospital of the future?
Drawfield / BetaVisuals
Case study - BRACOPS
How can we design an urban hospital according to circular economy principles?
Joseph Bracops Hospital, part of the IRIS Sud network in Brussels, is located in the heart of Anderlecht, close to the football stadium. This project proposes an ambitious and evolving masterplan to increase urban density on site and create a public garden accessible to residents. We developed the entire project based on circular economy principles: local and sustainable materials, flexible use and reversibility of buildings, ‘zero energy’ principles and thoughtful prefabrication. The development of public spaces both inside and outside the hospital ensures its sustainable integration in its urban location.
Joseph Bracops Hospital
Description
Masterplan for the reconstruction of the hospital and construction of a new polyclinic and central clinical support block
Responsible
Laurent Grisay
Partners
NU architectuuratelier
-BUUR
-Ellyps
-MATRIciel
-MC-carré
-COSEP
Location
Anderlecht
Client
Hôpitaux Iris Sud (HIS)
Area
14.900 m²
Evolving and reversible architecture
The Joseph Bracops Hospital enjoys a unique location, set in an urban landscape, yet lined with remarkable green spaces. We chose to prioritise preserving the qualities of this environment, so we decided to redevelop and condense the existing site, rather than extend the existing buildings. In the same vein, we wanted to integrate a new public square and a shared garden into the project, to further strengthen the relationship between residents and their hospital. Our proposed masterplan for the new hospital also echoes the urban planning found in neighbouring garden cities: we developed the structure of green spaces and buildings in tandem. The urban hospital of tomorrow takes a holistic approach to health promotion, reflected in the quality and closeness of these green spaces. It holds the well-being of patients and staff at the heart of its concerns.
A strategic flow distribution oriented towards the future
We developed the site distribution around the public level on the ground floor, leaving scope for future developments. We thought of each hospital building as a ‘hub’ in a model adopted for the polyclinic building and applied to the entire development: the reversible building. Each building has individual access at the public level, making it easy to add or remove clusters during the phased reconstruction of the hospital. It is therefore possible to expand or reduce the hospital infrastructure, but also to reassign some parts entirely, without jeopardising the hospital’s strategic distribution principle.
Case study - ZMK
Designing a hospital based on a layered model
Circular architecture and performance-based design
We planned the new polyclinic to be both evolutionary and reversible. To that end, we studied the structural, technical, and spatial characteristics of modular spaces in the event of a future change of use. We wanted to optimise material and energy flows – a fundamental principle of the circular economy – throughout the project, especially in the choice of materials, the design of prefab building envelopes, or in energy conservation practices.
The new compact buildings combine optimised functionality (reduced distances) and high flexibility (modular surfaces). Our performance-based design approach allowed us to work on essential factors from the very first sketches, including maximizing natural light to create an ideal environment for both patients and staff.
This project has been founded from the very beginning on circular economy principles. We are proud of the way the new hospital will showcases sustainable urban infrastructure, whilst also confidently facing the future.
A public institution with open arms
The green spaces ‘slide’ under the building, creating a passage and a link between the mineral spaces and the garden, which meet where the main entrance stands. A planted patio gives the reception area a large stream of natural light and extends the visibility of green space inside. The lobby includes a cafe open to the garden, highlighting the social link with the neighbourhood that the institution seeks to place at the heart of its approach.
We regard the urban nature of the site as a unique opportunity to host social functions and activities at the very heart of the hospital. In this way, the hospital is no longer just somewhere patients pass through but a new public place of their city, perfectly integrated into the urban fabric. Entry into the hospital feels more natural and the transition to treatment spaces is softened, helping to further integrate patients into society.
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