Zaans Medical Centre

Designed by Mecanoo in Zandaam, the Netherlands, the Zaans Medical Centre features a spacious multi-storey lobby that has the feel of a welcoming public building.

Mecanoo, Zaans Medical Centre, Zandaam, the Netherlands, 2017
Zaans Medical Centre is the first lean hospital in the Netherlands. It is an efficient and compact building in which professional healthcare and a personal approach strengthen each other. Architecture, urbanism, landscape and interior are brought together into a coherent design.

 

The smart lean design identifies five care processes: acute, elective, outpatient, clinic, and diagnostics. The clear stacking of two floors of outpatient clinics, two floors of clinical departments and a flexible facility layer between them, optimally serves these primary care processes. All departments are designed to prevent any form of waste. Whenever possible, the outpatient clinics and nursing departments are standardised, allowing for exchangeability and adaptability. The Zaans Medical Centre is therefore flexible and future-proof.

Img.10 Mecanoo, Zaans Medical Centre, Zandaam, the Netherlands, 2017
Img.10 Mecanoo, Zaans Medical Centre, Zandaam, the Netherlands, 2017
The patient experience played a crucial role in the design process. Positive distractions can reduce the stress of a hospital visit and advance recovery. The spacious multi-storey lobby has the feel of a welcoming public building. Semi-circular voids and skylights, the use of wood, bright colours, good acoustics and unobstructed views of the surroundings provide a pleasant atmosphere. All hospital wards can be accessed from an internal street with many sheltered waiting areas. At either end of the street is a landscaped courtyard. Hand-drawn illustrations on walls, glazed partitions, and lifts refer to the industrial heritage of the Zaan region. A special spiral slide offers children an adventurous way to travel between levels.
Img.11 Mecanoo, Zaans Medical Centre, Zandaam, the Netherlands, 2017
Img.11 Mecanoo, Zaans Medical Centre, Zandaam, the Netherlands, 2017

Zaans Medical Centre, Zandaam, the Netherlands
Architect: Mecanoo
Structural engineering: BAM Advies & Engineering, Bunnik
Mechanical engineering: Ingenieursbureau Linssen
Area: 38,500 sqm
Completion: 2016

Latest on Architecture

Latest on Domus

Read more
China Germany India Mexico, Central America and Caribbean Sri Lanka Korea icon-camera close icon-comments icon-down-sm icon-download icon-facebook icon-heart icon-heart icon-next-sm icon-next icon-pinterest icon-play icon-plus icon-prev-sm icon-prev Search icon-twitter icon-views icon-instagram