The AZ Diest project is located along the river Demer, in the city center of Diest, offering optimal public accessibility and open access to green spaces through ‘soft mobility’ routes. The modular design enables the building to perfectly adapt to its urban context and sustainable material use has significantly reduced the ecological impact. Prefabricated concrete elements were used to accelerate construction, while also reducing material consumption and environmental impact by use of hollow floor slabs. The proximity of the river and the integration of natural elements contribute to patients’ well-being and strengthen the social and ecological impact of this urban hospital project.
An urban hospital
The new AZ Diest hospital is conceived as an integrated urban structure, closely interwoven with its surroundings. A continuous path along the west side, running from north to south and sheltered by a generous portico, reinforces the hospital’s urban character and creates an active public frontage.
The building’s flexible structure accommodates a wide range of functions from specialised care such as outpatient surgery, geriatric care, rehabilitation and mother-and-child care to a central reception area and other urban hospital services that open onto the city. This integrated approach ensures efficient operation while preserving architectural harmony within the project’s urban context.
Integrated into the landscape
The building rises along the Demer in a parkland environment, with great permeability, and fully connected to the existing pedestrian and cycling routes.
This landscape forms an important connection between the city and the hospital, and additionally provides patients with visual relaxation as well as promotes their well-being and recovery.
The design combines natural elements and sustainable construction (prefabricated concrete, lightweight structure, local materials), creating an integrated and sustainable care environment.
At the heart of each wing is an open central area that ensures nursing supervision and provides a place for meeting and social interaction between patients. The aim is to encourage them to use their room mainly as a bedroom and to get out of bed for all other activities. This is the principle of the reactivating hospital.
A link between old and new
At the northwestern side of the building, a large ‘arcade’ connects the new hospital to the existing campus. With double-height columns at the kiss&ride zone, the arcade marks the main entrance and emphasizes the public and accessible character of the hospital. It also supports the daily use of the public path along the building and creates a gradual and welcoming transition from outside to inside along the terrace offering a picturesque view of the Cerckel Parc.
This arcade is more than a passage – it becomes a center of urban life where patients, visitors, and residents meet and enjoy the natural environment. It symbolizes the hospital's urban function and makes AZ Diest a truly accessible urban hospital.
Team:
Client: vzw AZ Diest
Architects: archipelago, GAF
Partners: m-gineers, Pauwels
Photographer: Steven Massart
