The hospital of the future
AZ Jan Portaels
The brand new AZ Jan Portaels is being built on the former CAT site next to Vilvoorde station. This modern and sustainable healthcare complex is designed to put the patient first and meet the needs of the future. Within this Engineering & Build assignment, Cordeel is creating a flexible and progressive hospital that serves as a model for what a regional health center can look like tomorrow.
Project Features
Smart architecture for optimal care
Amidst a green, gently sloping environment, the new AZ Jan Portaels forms a natural link between city and landscape. The building, designed by Wiegerinck and VKarchitects+engineers, combines a compact and well thought-out design with maximum patient-friendliness and an efficient work structure for the healthcare team. The spacious entrance hall acts as a central hub between two ring-structured building sections: one focused on high-tech care functions such as emergency, radiology, intensive care, operating departments and obstetrics, and one for low-tech areas such as day hospitalization, consultation rooms, patient rooms, pain clinic and pediatric care. This layout limits walking distances and allows for controlled traffic flow, which is crucial during health emergencies.
Network of specialized partners
Cordeel works with Van Roey as an Engineer & Build partner to align construction and engineering from the design phase. With a long-term vision of 30 years, the aim is to achieve a low Total Cost of Ownership (TCO), reducing both operational (OPEX) and investment costs (CAPEX). For implementation, the project team is joining forces with leading partners such as Imtech for technical installations, Stöpler Medical for modular operating quarters and BD Medical for innovative systems around medication and patient management.
Virtual building with BIM
The construction process is preceded by a thorough engineering phase with Building Information Modeling (BIM). This technology enables a digital simulation of the hospital and detects potential bottlenecks even before the start of the works. In this way, the realization of AZ Jan Portaels proceeds smoothly, transparently and without unexpected obstacles.
Modular, durable and ready for tomorrow
The design of the hospital is modular and flexible in concept. Prefabricated sandwich panels, including insulation, windows and inner shell, ensure that the building is immediately wind and watertight after the shell construction phase. As a result, finishing can start immediately and future extensions or function changes remain easy to realize. The all-electric building uses solar energy, rainwater recovery and underground energy storage, significantly reducing its carbon footprint. Furthermore, by focusing heavily on day hospitalization and ambulatory care, the building can operate with 100 fewer beds, without compromising the quality of care.
Renderings: Copyright Wiegerinck
