Hospital AZ Zeno

“A warm and human living environment close to nature gives patients the chance to heal faster. Several studies show that environmental factors such as pleasant views, green, color, social activities, etc. can affect the healing process considerably.” (Source: Design & Health - Alan Dilani) The temporary association AAPROG - BOECKX. - B2Ai won in 2007 the ambitious competition for a new hospital on the Belgian coast (Knokke-Heist). The futuristic building opened its doors in april of 2018. The particular approach from the true multi-disciplinary team meant a break with the traditional approach in architecture and established a precedent in open consideration and collaboration at every level: from concept and design, planning, constructing to occupation and future evolution. AZ Zeno is inspired on the works of René Magritte, seemingly levitates above the landscape and is dominated by nature and light as far as the rooms below the ground floor. The transition between outside and inside, between the care facilities and the public spaces is almost seamless resulting in an inviting and inspiring context of care. The design is a striking example of “living architecture”: sustainable design and construction with a special eye for integration in the natural landscape, ecological energy and materials used. Visitors, patients and medical find their selves in the middle of an environment full of impressions and ambiance, color accents, lots of light, green and very open sights, structural and functional transparency, warm wood tests, colored artworks and art photography. All this should ensure a pleasant feeling far away from the classic hospital atmosphere. Among other things a biomass boiler, cogeneration and borehole energy storage contribute to sustainable energy generation. The double façade solved various issues: the homely wooden windows, the fragile sunscreens, the crepi walls are protected against wind, erosion, rain containing sand and salt particles. Hereby a unique individual natural ventilation of the rooms could happen uninterrupted throughout the year. The new health care facility contains a hospital, a rehabilitation centre, a care hotel, an outpatients’ clinic, lecture halls, public events spaces and a helipad. The total surface is 52.000 m². “The design and construction of this hospital took 10years. The ambitions were very high from the design phase. In collaboration with the university, we found out which factors were relevant to change the idea of the classical hospital into a ‘healing institute’. From that point of view we integrated the view and the surrounding landscape into the plan. The lightness of the floating shape has been consistently extended inside. You’ll find no long and dark corridors with artificial light, but lots of daylight. Patient rooms have wall to wall windows where possible. Each hospital wing was given its own color accent. Thanks to the double façade, every patient can control the heating, ventilation and blackout themselves, as well as he can open the windows. The clear-cut, centrally located nursing units reduce walking distances during work. Comprehensive use of wood, lots of white and lively color accents in the interior contribute to a quiet and homely atmosphere. The design team worked together with various artists to furnish the spaces. The shape of the giant cloud - based on the Belgian surrealist Magritte - isn’t only eye-catching, but actively contributes to the healing process in all its aspects.” Ceci n’est pas un hôpital.