Abstract

The masterplan offers a smooth transition from public areas, via distinct circulation flows, to the closed care units; a central circulation scheme designed for functionality; and possible future expansion.

The HELORA network has an ambition to build five new hospitals and become the first integrated hospital network in Wallonia. Each hospital will be part of the care network, with the project bringing these different sites together by promoting synergies and integrating the particularities of each place.

The Bracops hospital is (re-)developed along a central axis that organises a clear distribution of activities, connected to both the open ground floor and vertical circulation for each separate unit. This allows the building to evolve over time, despite a complex urban site, and adapt to the wishes of patients and staff, connecting to the neighbourhood community.

An open typology that offers the qualities of an organic, expandable and evolving structure. Based on a set of standardised modules that can be assembled according to the context of each site, the new hospitals will have an identifiable appearance. The network will result in the creation of local hospitals that are progressive, human in scale, and sustainably integrated into their context. They will also:

• embody a strong commitment to sustainable development, with a zero-emission objective;
• ensure careful monitoring of energy distribution (and storage) through a smart grid;
• feature performance-based design for optimal use of natural energy for heating, cooling, ventilation and lighting;
• deliver a 67-per-cent reduction in CO₂ compared with standard hospital projects;
• instil nature at their heart, creating a total healing environment with focus on local biodiversity; and
• provide added value to the environment.

The hospital of tomorrow will be a resilient infrastructure that allows for different programmes to evolve and adapt to the future needs of patients, staff, the neighbouring community, and a wider region – putting wide-scale prevention over cure to enhance public health.