UZ Brussel

In close cooperation with the client and other stakeholders, Sweco has designed a spatial plan that outlines the care strategy for the future. This living document highlights an acute need for expansion and reorganisation for most medical services, such as the emergency department, the complete medical technical block, the outpatient clinic, some specialised centres and a brand new entry building. The spatial plan also optimises the interaction between these services, by reorganising the logistics and visitor circuits and separating different circulation flows. A roadmap to be implemented over a 20-year period in four long consecutive phases. To realise this ambitious plan in close collaboration with the client, the hospital complex had to be expanded by 20,000m², to enable a complete reorganisation of the hospital with clearly optimised flows.

Furthermore, the specialised centres need to be developed into distinctive entities within a coherent whole. All of this must be accomplished without disrupting daily activities and with minimal temporary housing. Accordingly, several preparatory and related projects were necessary:

Temporary oncology centre

The former oncology centre was demolished to create a large new medical technical block that will rehouse the centre. A temporary centre with a day hospital, consultations, and radiotherapy will bridge a period of ten years. The five-storey steel structure is clad with sandwich panels and facade grilles. The temporary centre connects to the consultation building, to facilitate optimal internal communication. The layout also facilitates the future demolition of existing buildings.

The existing emergency department was completely stripped and renovated over several years. Additionally, extensions were made for the short care and response unit, including garages for the Emergency Medical Services, the reception area and the triage section. The result is a large, integrated emergency department with care pathways for each pathology. This efficient approach to care significantly reduces waiting times. Central workspaces provide doctors serving the emergency department with maximum oversight and reduced walking distances. With more than 70,000 patients treated annually, it is one of the largest emergency departments in Belgium. Thanks to well-thought-out phasing, the busy emergency department remained fully operational during the construction work.

In addition to these preparatory works, two new additions will leave their mark on the renewed campus:

A new medical technical block

The expansion and rehabilitation of the medical-technical block with its underground parking levels for day clinic and dialysis patients, will house most of the acute services. This includes the new oncology centre, dialysis department, medical imaging department, intensive care unit and the full-fledged hotfloor, all with their own medical floors in an impressive and vibrant building. (Q3-2025)

Landmark UZB

The flagship project, ‘Landmark UZB’ with its strong visual identity, is the final piece of the masterplan. The Landmark with its new main entrance, congress centre and offices fulfils an important role and profiles itself on campus as a sustainable icon: the . The ‘Landmark UZB’ will serve as a new gateway, giving the campus a fresh appearance. (Q4 – 2024)