VOLUME STUDY
The 200 underground parking spaces that are part of the programme also help define the building’s structure. The building’s compact form thus takes on an additional motivation. It is a compact volume that is defined by the boundaries of the parcel and surrounds a large patio, the central part of this project.THE PATIO:
-Is an anchor around which the rest of the building will be developed.-Is a reference point that is always visible from the hallways that surround the patio on every construction level.
-Creates a safe inner zone with an urban character which is large enough (diameter: 25 metres) to let in light and to grow plants.
-Is a transition zone for the outside world: everyone entering or leaving the rest home will cross the patio on the ground floor. By not building up the ground floor level, the inner garden is involved in the streetscape but also allows visitors and residents to reach the entrance via a covered passage.
-It enables the building to keep its compact form, with a good balance between exterior surface (façade and roof) and useful interior surface. Compared to our other projects only Hemiksem, Hoge Cluyse is 8% more compact.
OVERALL ORGANISATION
The two underground parking levels with 100 parking spaces each can be reached through the pedestrian entrance. An extra entrance to the parking can be created in Lamstraat, with or without a separate entrance to the hospital. Around the inside village square some extra functions can be integrated: entrance hall, administration, hairdresser, logistics, therapy rooms, cafeteria, … We would like to create the cafeteria on the corner of Lamstraat and L. de Meeserstraat, with a view on the roads, the main entrance and the patio. The public part of the rest home is a transition zone and this will become clear in the use of material, the openness, circulation patterns, atmosphere, etc. Above the entrance level there are 4 floors with 32 units each. They are all situated on the outer edge of the building, at three of the four façades. 1 façade is used alternately to give openness and transparency to the inside zone. This creates one large hall with resting places and surprising perspectives.CIRCULATION
The circulation should be kept as simple as possible, but halls should be avoided or be made as interesting as possible. Two vertical axes with stairs and an elevator form the vertical circulation. The horizontal circulation is created around the large patio.The elevator and stairs on the side of Lamstraat create a connection with the main entrance, the ones on the side of the hospital create a connection with the cafeteria. The elevators can be used to access the underground garage, though the parking has an exit which leads directly to the hospital, independent of the rest home.
TECHNIQUES
The technical infrastructure will be installed in accordance with existing legislation, VIPA regulations and certification norms. It will provide the necessary comfort and will use passive energy (insulation, sun shades, etc.) as much as possible. The cooling requirement will play a determining role. There are many ecological methods for cooling and air-conditioning, as there are many options to enhance the energy efficiency. An investment in these ecological mostly pays itself back in relatively short period of time. To decide which application to use, we take into account to important factors:- The availability of technically skilled personnel
- The budget made available by the Board
The table in attachment gives an overview of the various possibilities.
