In the centre of Leuven, a healthcare organisation and site is in need of a main building. The existing synthesis of structures underwent an evolution of building, transforming and adding over time. The new main building should bring legibility to visitors, residents and staff. One clear main building, serving as headquarters for Zorg Leuven on the one hand, and as a reception and access to the care site on the other. And sustainable. That was the goal.
We proposed a diptych, a head-footer. Consisting of a head, the main building, and its arms, which connect the main building with the existing buildings. The main building is designed as compact as possible, without losing any usable surface area, and carries out its function: main building and its reception on the site. On the corner of two streets. Prominent, carrying out its function without overpowering the predominantly residential character of the surrounding buildings. The arms embrace the site and bring unity to it. They are non-climatised spaces, who periodically contain functions: a meeting place, a consultation area, covered outdoor space, … They also divide spaces: they define 2 large welcoming entrance plazas, an enclosed garden, and a sun terrace next to the restaurant. A rational structure allows for a flexible layout, allowing the building to take on completely different functions in the future, enabling different space configurations and thus giving the design maximum flexibility.
The result is a transversally sustainable whole, in socio-cultural, spatial, economic, technical and material terms.