Poortgebouw Health Campus Diepenbeek
Curved architectural concrete walls
C-concrete manufactured the precast facade elements for the Poortgebouw of the Health Campus Diepenbeek: the iconic face of the future Limburg DC-campus. This ambitious project features a 45-meter-high tower with a panoramic auditorium, a sustainable parking facility, and dedicated space for innovation within the healthcare sector. The curved concrete walls by C-concrete form the aesthetic exterior finish, giving the building its distinctive, architectural character.
Project Features
Custom Manufacturing
For this project, C-concrete produced a total of 168 precast concrete elements , amounting to 164 m³ of concrete . The single-shell curved walls serve as an aesthetic exterior finish and were cast horizontally to guarantee a high-quality surface finish, a technical requirement for architectural-grade exposed concrete.
The curved shape posed unique challenges for both production and logistics. To transport the elements safely and efficiently, transport sleds were used: this allowed the walls to be unloaded directly at the construction site in a vertical position without the need for tilting, which improved the speed and safety of installation.
Photo source: limburgdc.be
Architectural freedom
This project demonstrates how precast concrete not only overcomes technical challenges but also unlocks architectural freedom—from enabling complex shapes to delivering a flawless finish at scale.
Background Information
Limburg DC (where DC stands for Diepenbeek Campus) was outlined in a master plan in 2020 by POM Limburg, in collaboration with various partners. The campus consists of three major sections: the educational campus with UHasselt, PXL, and UCLL; Health Campus Limburg DC; and Bouwcampus 2.0.
As an open innovation center, the Poortgebouw serves as a meeting place where scientific research, the healthcare sector, and the business community come together to shape the future of healthcare. The completion of the Poortgebouw contributes to the Health Campus’s goal of promoting high-quality healthcare and responsible entrepreneurship.
In addition to the open innovation center, the building houses shared facilities for campus tenants, including offices, meeting rooms, and a restaurant. Adjacent to it will be a parking garage with approximately 500 spaces, bicycle parking, and a courtyard garden.
Photo source: limburgdc.be
