AZ Zeno Knokke

In 2007, the temporary consortium AAPROG – BOECKX – BURO II & ARCHI I won the ambitious competition to design a new hospital in Knokke-Heist. Ten years later, in the spring of 2018, this futuristic building opened its doors.

Healthcare

Client

AZ Zeno

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Contact:

Philip Detavernier, tel. 050/633111
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Designer / Architect

TV AAPROG-BOECKX-BURO II &AMP; ARCHI I

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Location

Knokke

‍Budgettechniques

approx. 43,800,000 EUR excl. VAT

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Surface

approx. 53,000 m²

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Period Study

2007 - 2018

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Period Implementation

2015 - 2018

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Services

Preliminary design of building services & design competition

Management and control of implementation up to VOPL/DOPL

The new 20-hectare healthcare center, inspired by the surrealism of René Magritte, combines a hospital, a rehabilitation center, and various public facilities in a sustainable, forward-looking design that blends seamlessly with the rural landscape.

A new comprehensive care center

In 2007, the temporary consortium of AAPROG, BOECKX., and BURO II & ARCHI I won the competition to design a new hospital in Knokke-Heist, which would merge the hospitals in Blankenberge and Knokke-Heist. Ten years later, in the spring of 2018, this futuristic building, spanning approximately 53,000 m² , opened its doors.

The new healthcare center includes a hospital, a rehabilitation center, a care hotel, an outpatient clinic, auditoriums, a public event space, and a heliport. Inspired by the work of René Magritte, the building appears to float above the landscape, with light and nature dominating even the underground spaces.

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From Competition to Completion

Hospitals face a complex set of challenges: medical functionality, operational reliability, strict hygiene requirements, and user comfort must go hand in hand with energy efficiency and sustainability. At AZ Zeno, this was complemented by the architectural ambition to move away from traditional hospital architecture and create a “healing environment” centered on well-being and recovery. The multidisciplinary design team opted for an integrated approach in which architecture, engineering, and sustainability were aligned from the very beginning.

Ingenium was involved in the project throughout its entire duration. From the design competition in 2007 to the provisional and final acceptance in 2018, Ingenium was responsible for the preliminary and detailed design of the building’s technical systems. During the construction phase (2015–2018), Ingenium managed and supervised the technical systems in accordance with the VIPA terms and conditions (Flemish Infrastructure Fund for Personal Matters).

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Sustainable energy supply

A key challenge was to create an energy-efficient building without compromising on comfort or medical functionality. The design therefore incorporates sustainable energy systems: a biomass boiler, combined heat and power, and geothermal energy storage work together to provide a reliable and sustainable energy supply. These systems help reduce energy consumption and make the hospital less dependent on fossil fuels.

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Commissioning and Transfer to Operations

Upon completion, Ingenium conducted an extensive commissioning process: in-depth functional tests that went beyond the scope of a standard handover. Special attention was paid to the operation and interaction of the systems—both technical and structural—after they were put into service. Ingenium also provided advice on the maintenance contracts for the various technical systems to ensure long-term operational reliability and a smooth transition to the operational phase.

The result is a state-of-the-art hospital of approximately 53,000 m² s that combines functionality with sustainable energy generation. The project was completed in accordance with VIPA requirements and has been operational since the spring of 2018. The design is an example of “living architecture”: sustainable design and construction with a special focus on integration into the landscape, ecological energy, and the materials used.